Largo, FL — Residents Hope New Buffered Bike Lanes Make Streets Safer

Largo, FL (February 19th, 2025) – Largo residents have expressed optimism about the new buffered bike lanes that have been approved for East Bay Drive as part of a comprehensive safety initiative. 

A city of approximately 85,000 residents in Pinellas County, Largo has struggled with bicycle safety for years. Between 2022 and 2024, there were 679 pedestrian and bicycle accidents reported to Largo law enforcement, resulting in numerous injuries and four deaths.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Florida

Florida has one of the highest rates of bicycle accidents in the U.S. Many of these crashes result in serious injuries due to a mix of traffic conditions, infrastructure challenges, and driver behavior. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Florida include:

Driver Negligence

Many accidents happen because drivers fail to yield to cyclists or are not paying attention. Common driver-related causes include distracted driving, failure to yield, and speeding.

Dooring Incidents

Cyclists riding near parked cars are at risk of “dooring” accidents, when a driver opens a door without checking for oncoming bikes. Such crashes can throw a cyclist into traffic, leading to serious injuries.

Poor Road Conditions

Potholes, debris, and inadequate bike lane markings contribute to accidents. In many areas, cyclists must share the road with vehicles because of a lack of designated bike lanes, increasing their risk. Such is the case, currently, in the area of East Bay Drive where the buffered bike lanes are planned.

Low Visibility and Nighttime Riding

Many accidents occur at night due to low visibility. Riding on poorly lit roads, wearing dark clothing, and bicycles lacking proper lighting, among other factors, may contribute to low visibility and nighttime bike accidents.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol and drug use play a role in both motorist and cyclist-related crashes. Drunk drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, increasing the likelihood of hitting a cyclist.

How Buffered Bike Lanes Improve Safety for Florida Cyclists

The newly buffered bike lanes planned for East Bay Drive represent a significant step forward for cycling safety in Largo. Currently, the city’s biking community faces multifaceted challenges. Major thoroughfares, like East Bay Drive, have higher speed limits, creating intimidating environments for cyclists. Additionally, many areas lack bike lanes altogether, or the existing lanes don’t have adequate separation, increasing the risk of car-bicycle accidents. This is where buffered bike lanes come into play, offering significant improvement in cyclist safety and comfort.

A buffered bike lane goes beyond a simply painted line. It incorporates a designated buffer space, separating the bike lane from the adjacent motor vehicle travel lane. These buffer zones act as physical and psychological barriers, increasing the distance between cyclists and passing cars. The key benefits of adding a buffer to bike lanes include:

Reducing Door Zone Crashes

A common and dangerous hazard for cyclists is getting struck by a car door opened suddenly by a parked driver. The buffer zone pushes cyclists further away from parked cars, minimizing the risk of these collisions.

Increased Passing Space

The buffer provides more room for motorists to pass cyclists safely without having to encroach on the bike lane or the cyclist’s personal space. Having extra space helps reduce the likelihood of sideswipe accidents and near misses, creating a more comfortable environment for both cyclists and drivers.

Improving Visibility

A wider separation between cyclists and traffic helps improve visibility for both parties. Drivers are more likely to notice cyclists in buffered lanes, and cyclists have a clearer view of approaching vehicles. 

Giving Greater Perceived Safety

The presence of a buffer creates a sense of increased safety for cyclists, encouraging more people to choose to bicycle as a mode of transportation. Increased ridership may also lead to further improvements in cycling infrastructure, and a more bike-friendly environment in the Bay Area overall.

East Bay Drive Improvement Project

Largo’s buffered bike lanes project aims to reduce bike-related accidents and encourage more residents to choose to bicycle as a transportation option. The project includes:

• Bike lanes running from Highland Avenue to just west of Belcher Road
• One dedicated lane in each direction
• Two-foot wide concrete separators to physically protect cyclists from traffic

Going beyond the typical buffered lanes by including physical concrete separators offers enhanced physical protection for cyclists, clear visual cues for drivers about lane separation, and reduced risk of vehicles driving into cycling space. The Florida Department of Transportation has tentatively scheduled construction on the project to begin in 2026. 

Why Residents Support New Bike Lane Plans

Florida residents are advocating for the implementation of buffered bike lanes due to a history of accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians. A major intersection that will be included in the project, East Bay Drive and Lake Avenue, has been the site of multiple serious and fatal incidents. One resident who spoke with local media noted he’s seen more than one accident while in the area on his E-bike. Without proper bike lanes currently, he rides on the sidewalk, which comes with other challenges.

Community support for these initiatives is strong, as residents recognize the need for safer infrastructure to protect vulnerable road users. The implementation of buffered bike lanes is seen as a proactive measure to prevent future accidents and promote a more bike-friendly environment in Florida neighborhoods. Those who have suffered injuries in such accidents, however, may benefit from consulting with an experienced Clearwater bicycle accident lawyer.

Bicycle accidents can result in serious, and even fatal, injuries. Board-certified injury lawyer Jim Magazine at Magazine & Light Law Group, understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll that these injuries can have on victims and their families. We are dedicated to helping Floridians like you recover the compensation you deserve. To discuss your options, contact us today at 727-499-9900. We offer free initial consultations.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association