A bike path is a roadway upon which motorized vehicles may not proceed. It is not a sidewalk and is physically separated from the roadway. Bicyclists are not required to use a bike path even if it is adjacent to the roadway. There are few provisions in the statutes that apply to bike paths, and many are considered multi-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. They may be regulated by the jurisdictions through which they pass.
Bike Paths
Category: Bike Paths
A bike path is a roadway upon which motorized vehicles may not proceed. It is not a sidewalk and is physically separated from the roadway. Bicyclists are not required to use a bike path even if it is adjacent to the roadway. There are few provisions in the statutes that apply to bike paths, and many are considered multi-use paths for pedestrians and bicyclists. They may be regulated by the jurisdictions through which they pass.
Stop Signs Facing Bike Paths
Question Will asked: Living in central Florida give me the chance to ride some of the best Rail Trails in the USA. So many bike friendly towns in FL have wonderful signage to protect bike riders at marked crosswalks. Sanibel…
Helmets and Park Rules
Question Dennis asked: I’m 62 and haven’t ridden a bike for years. Can you tell me if I need a helmet by law? Other basic laws? I will carry the bike to a park on bike rack to a park,…
Stop Signs on Shared-Use Paths
Question HarryB asked: STOP signs are common traffic control devices facing people on shared-use paths that run parallel to the road and are located within the highway’s right-of-way. Contrary to conventional wisdom, I believe that their installation defies state law,…
Liability for Bike Crash on Shared-Use Path
Question Diana asked: I have a pretty unique situation. I was on a multipurpose sidewalk bike riding with all my safety equipment, i hand signal a right turn and as i was turning i was hit by another cyclist at…
Remain One Foot from Curb?
Question Dylan asked: What do I say when a police officer tells me that I must stay within 12 inches of the curb?
Shared-Use Path Traffic Control Signals
Question Karl asked: Should a bicyclist obey the vehicle traffic control signals or the pedestrian control signals at intersections when riding on a shared use path that parallels a roadway? There are numerous shared use paths in Florida that are…
Laws for Bike Paths and Shared-Use Paths
Question Patric asked: I am aware of right of way laws for cyclists vs pedestrians on sidewalks and they make perfect sense to me. I always yield to pedestrians there. I often ride the Commodore Trail in Miami, a marked…
Jurisdiction Over Bike Path
Question Harry asked: Does the manager of a shared-use path (managed by the DEP) have the authority to permit the public to drive motorized vehicles on it? F.S. § 316.1995 seems to be very clear that no one may drive…
Trail Signals
Question Harry asked: How can it be legal for a DOT to install a traffic control device, which some people are incapable of obeying? FDOT is redesigning a road crossing on a rural shared-use path because it installed traffic signals…
Unsafe Bike Lanes
Question Graham asked: BC Sheriffs rigorously enforce riding in the bike lane in Weston. However I maintain that they allow parking, joggers, walkers, lawn people and others to use the lanes without any enforcement. Also the condition of the lanes…
Your membership supports our mission to inspire and support people and communities to enjoy greater freedom and well-being through bicycling. Please join us!