Archive of questions, answers about Florida bicycle laws and law enforcement
Bicyclists must comply with stop signs and traffic signals and all other traffic control devices such as pavement markings since they are operating vehicles. Intersections present special problems and unsafe conditions for cyclists, so when proceeding straight, moving to the center of the through lane is legal and recommended, even if a bike lane is present.
Cyclists riding in a group are not entitled to any special treatment. They are individuals operating vehicles. They must comply with the statutes that require single file or no more than two abreast in a single lane. Cycling more than two abreast, except in a bike lane, or in more than a single lane is never permitted.
Bicyclists in a group are treated as individual vehicle operators in the law and must comply individually with traffic control devices. Discretion is suggested since strict compliance with this statute may result in inordinate delays for other traffic. For example, if each cyclist in a long line of singled up cyclists in turn stops and yields at a stop sign, other drivers behind them may be seriously delayed in crossing the intersection. Slowing and crossing as a group may facilitate traffic flow, but provisions for that are not in the statutes.
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 …
Question Jacci asked: I drive a car to work on Brickell, which is a haven for bicyclists. I respect that and their rights by not only looking both ways twice at an intersection, but also obeying the law when a …
Question Colleen asked: My daughter was riding her bicycle in the bike lane on roads of a Florida college campus. She came to a 3-way stop and slowed but saw no one was coming and continued thru the intersection. She …
Question Sharon asked: When waiting for a light to change to go through an intersection, where must a bicycle stop? I remember hearing that a cyclist could move forward into the crosswalk area.
Question Harry asked: Recently the city of Inverness, FL redesigned a major crossing of the Withlacoochee State Trail which I fear has increased the danger for trail users who are attempting to cross N Apopka Ave. I’m hoping you can …
Question Shawn asked: I recently read this article from my home state: http://www.jsonline.com/news/traffic/motorcycles-running-red-lights-its-the-law-sometimes-b9984295z1-221369311.html Basically, if your bike or motorcycle isn’t being picked up by traffic lights, you are allowed to run the light. Does FL have a similar statute?
Question Herta asked: If a bicycle is on the sidewalk on a right of way and crosses an intersection with a car coming out of a side street with a stop sign, who goes first, the bicycle or the car …
Question Jeanne asked: Is it required that you stop at the posted stop signs on the bike paths if no one is coming? Is this considered a moving violation? Some of the stop signs on the path off Hwy 70 …
Question Christine asked: In Pinellas County I was traveling in my car North on Seminole Blvd and came to a red light on 102nd Ave and Seminole Blvd. As I approached the red light I stopped behind the white line …
Question Herman asked: What exactly is Florida law in regards to “dead red” lights, i.e. traffic lights that do not change for a bicycle? Answer Please see: http://flbikelaw.org/2011/06/inoperative-traffic-lights/