Bikes on Sidewalks

Question

Dior asked: Are road bikes allowed to be used on the sidewalk?

Answer

All bicycles are treated the same in the laws.

s. 316.003 – Definitions

(2) Bicycle – Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. No person under the age of 16 may operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.

When in the roadway, bicyclists have the same right and duties as other drivers, with few exceptions.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(1) Every person propelling a vehicle by human power has all of the rights and all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as to special regulations in this chapter, and except as to provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

Unless there is a local ordinance to the contrary, bicyclists may use the sidewalk, but are not required to do so.

When on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.

(9) A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

(10) A person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

Only vehicles solely powered by human power may use sidewalks and bike paths.

s. 316.1995 – Driving upon Sidewalk or Bicycle Path

(1) …. a person may not drive any vehicle other than by human power upon a bicycle path, sidewalk, or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

Note that the statutes do not say “bicycle”. Rather, they refer to human powered vehicles. The operator of an eBike that meets the definition of bicycle has the same rights and duties as other drivers, but may use a sidewalk only if the electric motor is not in operation.