Florida Bicycle Law

Question

Keith asked:  I almost had a head on collision with a runner in the bike lane the other morning, it was 5.45 am totally dark and he or she was invisible.  I emailed the Mayor as to the city’s position on runners running in the road in the bike lane even though it is signposted everywhere as BIKE LANE ONLY and there are sidewalks available. His response was surprising and disappointing and I wondered if anyone out there might know if he was legally wrong?? He said:

“By state law, bike lanes are actually designated for Non Vehicular use, walking, running, bikes, roller blades etc.  So yes, they do have the right to be there, and generally bikers are to yield to pedestrian traffic.” read more…

Question

KC also asked:  Are there any statutes about placing obstacles in the bike lane?  Specifically, the garbage collectors keep putting the cans down in the middle of the bike lane.  Is there an actual law against blocking the lane or putting obstacles in the roadway (since the bike lane is part of the roadway)? read more…

Question

Empty parking lane on Corrine Drive in Orlando

KC Asked: It seems clear to me that cyclists are not required to ride in an empty parking lane, but how is that defined in terms of as far right as practicable? read more…

Question

Gabe asked:  What are the laws about mopeds and how do they relate to the statutes about bicycling? read more…

Question

Ray asked:  There is a 4-mile loop bike lane in Miami, FL. around the Kendale Lakes Country Club.  I notice most of the times I’m approaching a stop sign around the loop, the cars at a stop sign get into the bike lane when trying to make a right turn. They get so far over the bike lane they almost hit the curb.   Can these motorists do this, or should they remain in their lane when turning?

Do I need to stop at these stop signs if I’m staying in the bike lane? They just curve right.  I am assuming I can pass these vehicles on the right if I’m in the bike lane.  As a cyclist in bike lane, must I stop at this sign? I have never seen a cyclist stop there. There are 100’s every day. read more…

Question

Dan also asked:  What should a knowledgeable cyclist do in the case of being told by law enforcement to do something which is not required (ride on the sidewalk), and finally threaten “I’ll write you a citation, get off the road now”? read more…

Question

Dan asked:  Who needs the most help, the cyclist, law enforcement, or both? read more…

Question

Jon asked: We were on a 2-lane road, with sidewalks off and on, on either side, and no shoulder to speak of in many spots.

A police car came up behind us, put his flashers on, and on his loudspeaker instructed us to get off the road and on to the sidewalk because we were obstructing the flow of traffic (there happened to be a sidewalk beside us at that point.) We were only about a mile from the trail at that point, and jumped on the sidewalk while it was there.

We decided to take a different route back which is a little busier road, but is 5-lane, so thought it would be easier for vehicles to get around us. Wouldn’t you know, another police car (Maybe the same one) came up behind us and told us to get on the sidewalk, again because we were obstructing the flow of traffic. I looked for the first road or driveway to pull on to the sidewalk. Within about 10 seconds, he said, “Don’t make me have to stop this car and write you a citation, get off the road now.”

So we stopped our trikes, pulled them up over the curb and on to the sidewalk.

The trikes are a little wider than an average bike – mine was the widest at 33 inches  (our bicycles are 21, 25, and 28 inches at the handlebars).

We were probably averaging only 10 – 12 MPH, because of the slight delicacy of the frame. But trying to stay on sidewalks the rest of the way home was a mess. Had one car pull out in front of us in a driveway just as we passed a high privacy fence. Had another car make a right hand turn in front of us just as we were approaching the crosswalk of an intersection, and the bus stops along the way sometimes had benches ON the sidewalk, that were hard to get by, or there were people sitting ON the benches that had to move as we approached.

I have been told that it is ILLEGAL to ride on the sidewalk in some places?

I thought that in Florida we have a right to be on the road as much as any other vehicle. Have you heard the term “obstructing traffic”? Do I have the right to be on the road at anytime, even when there’s a sidewalk? read more…

Question

SO, in essence, are we allowed to take any and all lanes (ride in the center) that are “substandard”, either single or double abreast? read more…

Question

PG asked:  I am a biker from Indiana. Am I welcome on this forum or is just for Florida bikers? read more…