Bikes on Beaches

Question

John asked:  Can I ride on Florida beaches with a fat tired bike? I have seen this in Cocoa but not any other beaches. If so, what are the restrictions? County or City restrictions?

Answer

There is no state statute that addresses that.  You can search local ordinances for cities and counties using the Municodes.  Please see this post:

http://flbikelaw.org/2012/10/local-ordinances/#more-1169

8 Comments on “Bikes on Beaches

  1. You just have to have one red light on your bike at night in Indian Rocks Beach, no restrictions on daytime riding, no front light at night, they say it disturbs the turtles

  2. s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations
    (7) Every bicycle in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp and reflector on the rear each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear.

    Local authorities are prohibited from enacting ordinances that contradict state statutes without authorization.

    s. 316.007 – Provisions Uniform Throughout State.
    The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities therein, and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance on a matter covered by this chapter unless expressly authorized.

    If anyone knows the authority for “enacting an ordinance on a matter covered” by s. 316.2065 above, please post same here. My guess is that there is a Federal law about turtle protection, but I don’t know.

  3. Try riding a bike on the beach at Honeymoon State Park A Park Ranger told me that was not allowed by her and I could be arrested if I even walked my bike on the beach.

  4. According to the home page of the Park site, bicycles are only permitted in certain areas.

    “Wheel Fun Rentals – Tour the park on a surrey or beach cruiser available for rent at the Cafe Honeymoon. For your safety, remember persons under the age of 16 years are required by state law to wear a properly fitting bike helmet. To preserve the natural areas of the park, bicycles are limited to roadways and are not permitted on any footpaths or beach areas.
    Contact , (727) 728-5773”

  5. How does walking a bicycle on a path or on a beach not preserve the natural areas of a City, County or State Park ? Even in Harvard Square walking a bicycle is allowed.

  6. Geo. I got cited for wallking a huffy Walmart fat tire bicycle on the north beach by an officer Ferguson driving a Ford pickup on the beach. The fine is $105. The ticket number is 287201C. This was on February 24 , 2016. I will fight this absurd charge in court on March 24.

  7. I would like to know the same, as over here Key Biscayne state Parks (Billbags Cape Florida and Crandon) Several times, when i was riding my bicycle on the sand (close to the water line), i was stopped by thelifeguard wissle, gesturing me to dismount!
    Any help?

  8. Manuel,
    Near my home is Anastasia State Park, which specifically allows bicycles on the beach.
    Anastasia – Beach
    Anastasia contains four miles of pristine beach. ….
    The beach is open to bicyclists and pedestrians; however, motorized vehicles are not allowed.
    I can find no prohibition to riding a bicycle on the beach in Cape Florida State Park or Florida parks in general. If there is such a regulation, signage should be posted.
    Florida State Park Rules
    https://www.floridastateparks.org/things-to-know/park-rules
    This is the phone number for information about state parks – (850) 245-2157
    On the Cape Florida website, http://www.keybiscaynechamber.org/pages/BillBaggsCapeFloridaStatePark, this is the only information I can find:
    Bikes Trails & Rentals
    The park has a paved bike path approximately 1.5-miles long and unpaved service roads where you can enjoy easy cycling. You can easily ride a few miles in a loop by routing through the various paths and roadways. The terrain is completely flat. Some paths will take you beneath the trees, and others offer views of Biscayne Bay. You can rent individual bikes or quad bikes from the park’s concession located a few steps from the Lighthouse Cafe. Bicycle Rentals include Cruiser bicycles, English bikes, Quad bikes seat 4 & Large quads that seat 4 + 2 small children.
    I suggest contacting a park ranger or someone at the bike rental center and asking the same question. You could also politely ask the same lifeguard for the basis of the order. Please ask them to be specific about the rule and where it can be found and report back to us your findings as a comment on the site.

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