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 Chris Burns asked: Group of cyclists pull up to a traffic signal. Their presence does not trigger or activate the traffic light to change. It won’t change from red to green. Are they legally entitled to go through the …
Question Mike asked: On a bike trail intersection with a (marked crosswalk} plus a small stop sign for the trail users and a full size stop sign for the road users, is the trail user {cyclist} required to stop for …
Question Ray asked: There is a 4-mile loop bike lane in Miami, FL. around the Kendale Lakes Country Club. I notice most of the times I’m approaching a stop sign around the loop, the cars at a stop sign get …
Question Linda also asked: Is this correct and does it fit within the Florida laws? http://www.floridabicycle.org/rules/groups.html “At a stop, bunch-up and take control of the lane. This allows the group to proceed through the intersection as rapidly as possible.”
Question Has there been any consideration to having Florida adopt rolling stop laws comparable to those in effect in Idaho since 1982? Works well there. Could it work in Florida?