Motor Vehicle in a Bike Lane

Question

Sandra asked: I see drivers constantly drifting into designated bike lanes. If there are no bicyclists riding in the lane can a cop still pull them over and give them a ticket or is the bike lane considered part of the lane of travel as long as there are no bicyclists present?

Answer

The usual motor vehicle cannot be driven only within a 4-5 foot bike lane. Drivers can be cited for violating the following statute:

s. 316.089Driving on Roadways Laned for Traffic

Whenever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic ….

(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane ….

There may be reasons to momentarily and legally enter a bike lane if there is good cause, such as avoiding a hazard. A bicyclist in the bike lane would still have precedence, and the motorist should not endanger the cyclist.

See this post about mopeds and motorcycles in a bike lane:

http://flbikelaw.org/2014/10/moped-in-the-bike-lane/

5 Comments on “Motor Vehicle in a Bike Lane

    • Lucky her. I begged for a warning but the cop gave me a citation for riding in a bicycle lane even though I was only in the bicycle lane for less than a minute overtaking a vehicle that had his Hazardous lights on. Its sucks being black in the racist country. I know without a doubt if I was a different color he wouldve let me off with a warning.

      • You drove into the bicycle lane on The right… racist has nothing to do with it…pass on the left…I’m a redneck if he pulled me over and gave me a ticket Is that racist…. I’m tired of the racist bull …..

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