Passing Pedestrians on Sidewalks
Question
Patrick asked: s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations states bicyclist should give an audible signal when passing a pedestrian. I am either walking or riding my bike almost everyday. I very seldom hear any bicyclist doing this. Is it time for bikes to have bells for the rider to operate before someone gets badly injured? Is there any legislation possible?
Answer
See the posts in the tag cloud about “Sidewalks”.
To have the statutes changed requires a concerted effort with a lot of support. The Florida Bicycle Association is continually trying to do that and has a legislative agenda that represents the input from members and others. Some of the recent successes are shown in this post:
http://flbikelaw.org/2012/05/fbas-legislative-agenda/ – more-1021
As far as I know, your issue is not on the agenda. If you are not a member, I recommend that you join and help the FBA help you.
What is the law when they ride in packs and take up a whole lane ?
Riding more than two abreast is always unlawful. The statute that applies is:
s. 316.2065 (6)
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing.
However, please note that a single cyclist or a line of cyclists may legally use the entire lane and impede other traffic under some circumstances.
See the tags for “Two Abreast”, “Substandard-width Lane”, “Lane Position” and “Impeding Traffic”.