Archive of questions, answers about Florida bicycle laws and law enforcement
All sides of the intersection are crosswalks — marked or not, regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved or not.[/caption]
316.2065 (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.
316.2065 (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.
Bicycles can be legally operated on all Florida sidewalks and crosswalks unless a local ordinance prohibits it. When on a sidewalk, the operator is operating a vehicle and must use helmets and lights when required, and is subject to the DUI laws. Otherwise, the operator has the rights and duties of a pedestrian, but must yield to all pedestrians.
The rights and duties of pedestrians are explained in more detail at Best Foot Forward, an Orlando-based initiative for pedestrian safety.
CommuteOrlando offers a visual primer on crosswalk challenges.
Question Harry asked: A couple of weeks ago FDOT realigned a popular shared-use path (“trail”) so it crosses a roadway much closer to the nearby signalized intersection. At the old location STOP signs faced trail users as they approached the …
Question Tom asked: In Marathon, Fl sheriff deputies have been issuing warnings to bicyclist for traveling on the sidewalk against the direction of traffic. I can find no ordinance to support their position. Am I missing something?
Question Phillip asked: My understanding is in Florida that if I ride my bike on the sidewalk I am considered a pedestrian for all practical purposes. If I am on the sidewalk and come to a red light, can I …
Question Thomas asked: Is sidewalk bicycling prohibited anywhere in Largo?
Question Rob asked: If there is a bike path and there is a SUV blocking the path to turn right on a main road and its front bumper is inches from main road. Does the cyclist wait for the SUV …
Question Traci asked: If a bicyclist is riding on the sidewalk and comes to a crosswalk are they required to stop or yield before proceeding across the road?
Question Crystal asked: Is it legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk in Charlotte County? And if so do I go with traffic or can I go against traffic. I’m uncomfortable being in the bike lane on the road, …
Question Sharon asked: I live in Manatee County. I have to turn right onto a fairly high trafficked road when exiting my neighborhood. That road has both bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides. There is a stop sign where …
Question Perry asked: I have any battery operated scooter only goes 20 miles an hour. Can I ride on the sidewalk instead of the street?
Question Shannon asked: Is a biker required to use a bike lane even if they do not feel it is safe? For example, in Fort Lauderdale, there is a bike lane going over the 17th street causeway. There is also …