Bicycle Lights on the Sidewalk

Question

Allison asked: If you are riding your bicycle strictly on the sidewalk, do you have to have lights on your bike? My brother is a Hillsborough County Sheriff, & he told me that no, I did not have to, as long as I stayed on the sidewalk.

Answer

Lights are required on bicycles in use on a sidewalk or bike path, as well as when in the roadway.

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. A bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by this section. A law enforcement officer may issue a bicycle safety brochure and a verbal warning to a bicycle rider who violates this subsection or may issue a citation and assess a fine for a pedestrian violation as provided in s. 318.18. The court shall dismiss the charge against a bicycle rider for a first violation of this subsection upon proof of purchase and installation of the proper lighting equipment.

Note that there is no restriction to the location of operation of the bicycle.

The same applies to persons under 16 wearing helmets.

(d) A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely upon the passenger’s head by a strap ….

Also DUI.

s. 316.193 – Driving Under the Influence; Penalties

(1) A person is guilty of the offense of driving under the influence and is subject to punishment as provided in subsection (2) if the person is driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle within this state and:

(a) The person is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance ….

And open container.

s. 316.1936 – Possession of Open Containers of Alcoholic Beverages in Vehicles Prohibited; Penalties

(2)(a) It is unlawful and punishable as provided in this section for any person to possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage or consume an alcoholic beverage while operating a vehicle in the state or while a passenger in or on a vehicle being operated in the state.

A bicycle is a vehicle:

s. 316.003 – Definitions

(2) Every vehicle ….