Pedestrian Rights on a Sidewalk

Question

Cheryl asked: Living on Harbor Blvd has proved a challenge through the years. I have two dogs that I walk twice a day. There have been many bicyclists who insist on riding the sidewalk. Most of the time this poses no problem, but some insist they have the rights over pedestrians and come speeding through me and my dogs. I have had altercations with some of these people including cussing me out for asking them to go around even though there is no traffic on the road.
My question is: Do I have any rights on the sidewalks when walking my two dogs?

Answer

Bicyclists may use the sidewalk unless there is a local ordinance to the contrary.

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.

However, a bicyclist must always yield to a pedestrian when on the sidewalk.

(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.

That could mean stopping or leaving the sidewalk as necessary to comply.

Whether you have dogs is not an issue except that you must control the dogs.

2 Comments on “Pedestrian Rights on a Sidewalk

  1. I had a physical altercation just today in Orlando. There was a man on a bike in a park on a sidewalk and me with a dog as a 60 year old plus female (he was behind me) We need more defined laws regarding pedestrians right- of -way and serious enforcement of such.

  2. I am 80 years old and a female bicyclist cursed at me horribly this morning when I was on my daily one-mile walk. She had stopped inches from hitting me head on. I said to her that bicycle s were supposed to be on the sidewalk across the street according to posted signs. She then started to harass me with vulgar and vile language. I felt threatened. What to do?

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