Bike Direction on the Sidewalk

Question

Doug asked: When a bike lane is present on the road way is it against the law to ride against traffic on the sidewalk?

Answer

No! When on the sidewalk, a cyclist has the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(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.

A pedestrian may walk or run in either direction, as may a cyclist. Caution is advised when on the sidewalk due to numerous hazards, including drivers entering the roadway from a driveway or another roadway. They typically don’t expect traffic from the sidewalk, and may not look to the right.

When in a bike lane, which is part of the roadway, a cyclist has the same rights and duties as other drivers,  is operating a vehicle and must drive in the same direction as other drivers.

(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….

The presence of a bike lane has nothing to do with the right of a bicyclist to use the sidewalk. That may be impacted by a local ordinance, which may prohibit cyclists from using sidewalks.

The presence of a sidewalk has nothing to do with the right of a cyclist to use a bike lane or other part of the roadway.

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