Stunting on Private Property

Question

Logan asked: So I was in a parking lot in front of a grocery store and I was on my bike. What I did was hop up onto an elevated concrete slab and did a manual to 360 and I got in trouble by a security officer for “stunting”.  Can I get in trouble for this?

Answer

Riding (And stunting, unless someone is endangered) on public sidewalks is legal unless there is a local ordinance against it.

It appears you are on private property and the owners can impose certain restrictions. Usually, there are signs posted if certain activities such as skateboarding or bicycling are restricted. Lacking any such signs, in my opinion, it is likely that you will only receive a verbal warning.

Even though it is private property, since it is open to the public all state laws are applicable, so simply riding a bicycle cannot be prohibited, since a bicycle is just another vehicle and its operator has the rights and duties of any other driver.

s. 316.003 – Definitions

(53) Street or Highway

(a) The entire width between the boundary lines of every way or place of whatever nature when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic ….

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 ….

I suggest that you politely ask the security guard where such prohibitions are posted or written so you can be sure you follow the rules.