Yield to Bicyclists and Pedestrians at Intersections?

Question

Barry asked: If I’m driving a car and approach an intersection with a stop sign. Do I yield to pedestrians and cyclists approaching on a sidewalk or are they supposed to yield to vehicles in this instance?

Answer

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

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.

(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.

Please see this post for the answer:

http://flbikelaw.org/2016/03/drivers-must-yield-to-pedestrians/

3 Comments on “Yield to Bicyclists and Pedestrians at Intersections?

  1. So, the bicycle has to stop at the stop sign, as the car does, if the bike is in the street. If on the sidewalk, the car yields to the bike and the pedestrian? Does the bike need to stop at the stop sign when on the sidewalk?

  2. A traffic sign has no application to a traffic participant approaching the location from another direction; it applies only to traffic directly facing the sign. Thus, a cyclist approaching an intersection approach from the side, on a sidewalk, would not be subject to a stop sign that faces drivers on the approach.

    However, a cyclist in this situation may not immediately continue into the crosswalk when a vehicle is already so close to the crosswalk “that it is impossible for the driver to yield” (s. 316.130(8), F.S.).

  3. Phil,
    The cyclist on the sidewalk has the rights and duties of a pedestrian. If there is cause for the pedestrian to stop, such as a pedestrian signal, the cyclist must do so as well.

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