Direction on Sidewalk

Question

Herman asked: As we should know by now, here in Florida, per

F.S. 316.2065 subsection 9:
(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.

we are allowed to operate on the sidewalk, unless there is a local ordinance against it. I have been having a disagreement with a neighbor of mine who is of the opinion that even when we are operating our bicycles on the sidewalk that we’re still required to travel in the same direction as the traffic in the road.

I have tried numerous times to explain to him, showing him F.S. 316.2065 subsection 9 that we’re not. I’ve also explained it to him pointing out that the sidewalk is not a part of the roadway.

What else can I do to show him that he is misinterpreting the law and that Florida law does not say what he is claiming it to say?

Answer

You might try asking your neighbor to show you evidence of his position.  Does he know of any law that supports what he is saying?

He may be saying that it is safer to travel in the same direction as roadway traffic while on the sidewalk rather than it being required by law.  If so, there is some merit to his argument.  See other posts on this site for that information.

1 Comment on “Direction on Sidewalk

  1. I agree, that even when traveling on the sidewalk that traveling with the direction of traffic is going to be “safer,” and I’ve explained that to my neighbor. But he keeps insisting that the law “says” that cyclists have to travel with traffic even when on the sidewalk.

    I’ve even shown him F.S. 316.2065 subsection 9, and he still insists that the law “says” what he claims. I’ll print this out and show it to him, and hopefully he’ll finally get it. I’ll also point out to him that here in St. Petersburg that several years ago the city widened the sidewalk on the east side 1st N from 30th Ave up to 77th/78th Ave N. Turning it into a bi-directional MUP. That is now part of our City Trails network.

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