Question
Max asked: I go to a university and I ride a skateboard everywhere. Until recently I have always skateboarded in the bike lane because I go just as fast as bicyclists and the sidewalks are packed with people. Police have now started to give us skaters $52.50 tickets when we ride in the bike lane. I was wondering if and what law states that skateboarding is illegal in bike lanes and why. And also if there was a way to add brakes or some small mechanism to our skateboards that would make it legal to ride them in the bike lanes. Riding on the sidewalk to not an option and if not fixed this law is going to eliminate all skateboarding at the university. read more…
Question
Charles asked: Is it legal in Florida for bicyclists/tricyclists to operate flashing red lights on the rear of their vehicles and/or flashing white lights on the front? Or, must they all be solid lights. My personal experience riding my trike is that my flashing red tail light gets excellent recognition from motorists, who often comment positively to me. However, I’m not sure regarding legality. read more…
Question
Gary asked: This is in regards to a column, Dr. Delay, in a newspaper.
The article states:
Who has right of way? Bicycle or car?
Reader wrote to the Doc about an incident she recently observed involving a bicycle and a car. She posed a question about right of way:
“Assume a bike and a car are traveling in the same direction in the same lane. As they approach an intersection, the traffic light is green. They reach the corner at the same time, with the bike on the outside of the car. The bike rider wants to continue on through the intersection, but the person driving the car wants to turn right. Who has the right of way? I saw this scenario this week. I don’t know if the car signaled, but the alert bike rider gave way for the car and then proceeded through the intersection. It scared me to think what could have happened. I have seen bikes approach a red light and not even stop. This is especially stupid if a car turns right on red. What is the correct thing to do?”
Doc’s answer:
The first problem with this scenario is the third sentence (“They reach the corner at the same time, with the bike on the outside of the car”). Cyclists are by law expected to behave in traffic as they would were they driving a car or motorcycle — they are not to be riding abreast of any vehicle in a single lane (bike or car or motorcycle, etc.). So because the cyclist should not have been next to the car in the same lane it was appropriate that he/she gave way but the point of “Share the Road” is to truly share the road and make the same sound decisions when traveling on two wheels one would make while operating on four. And if it’s not cool to run a red light in your car, the same holds true when you’re on a bike.
I believe she has done a disservice to cyclists by telling the public the cyclist was wrong, when in my interpretation of the law, the motorist was overtaking the cyclist and must give 3 feet, and since the cyclist was not turning, would have the right-of-way.
If she was wrong, may I quote your response in a letter I will write to her. read more…
Question
Emily asked: I recently decided to ride my bike to and from work. I have to travel along a roadway that has no bike lane but has sidewalks on both sides. There is a carwash/restaurant that puts an advertisement sign directly on the sidewalk only allowing about a foot of space closest to the street to pass. As I was trying to avoid/pass the sign, I fell off of my bike into the middle of the street. Luckily, my riding partner was able to block the oncoming traffic and I only sprained my ankle. Is it legal to block the sidewalk in this manner? read more…
Question
Maria asked: Where is it ok to park a bicycle with out committing an infraction. My apartment building doesn’t allow you to bring the bicycles upstairs. Is it ok to park it in the median on the road? read more…
Question
Ron asked: Does a cyclist give up any rights by riding on the paved shoulder while obeying all statutes? Is the driver of a motor vehicle any less culpable if he or she veers off the road, hitting and killing a cyclist riding there?
If the FHP lists “charges pending the outcome of the investigation,” how can a non-involved individual learn the outcome, and if charges are ever filed? read more…
Question
Richard asked: I live in a predominately college town. I recently moved and started biking to campus. There are no bike lanes for a portion of the road I have to ride down currently, and I am forced to either ride down the sidewalk which is crowded with pedestrians at frequent bus stops or ride down a 4 lane (two lanes each way) street. I prefer a car lane when at all possible due to hills and blind angles of cars pulling out on sidewalks.
I typically have no problem on the ride to work, but after I am done with the day and riding back I have had someone either almost drive into me, illegally passing me in a intersection and almost colliding with me every since the fall semester started. All of these situations have occurred at one intersection, both on the sidewalk and while using a car lane. I want to know if there is anything I can do by contacting the city or law enforcement to reduce the seemingly high odds of an accident occurring. read more…
Question
Francis submitted this article from the Northwest Florida Daily News.
‘I’m just trying to ride in peace’: Questions arise over motorized bicycles.
In summary, bicycles are being retrofitted with gas-powered helper motors, and law enforcement is ticketing the drivers.
Full article:
http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/questions-42880-ride-arise.html#ixzz1WQ6jTXMF
Question
Pete asked: There is a multi-use trail that places stop or yield signs facing trail users where the trail crosses roads or entrances into business, and the crosswalks are marked. While riding recently, we approached one of the yield signs. I yielded and determined that I could clear the intersection before I impeded traffic and I did. My riding partner, who was following behind me stopped at the yield sign, then followed me through the cross walk. Her bike was practically out of the crosswalk when an approaching car slammed on his brakes and got out to confront my friend for not yielding to him as the sign said. (The only traffic marking for cars is the marked crosswalk) My question-Since yield and stop signs are vehicle traffic signs, are they being improperly applied? And do those signs over ride the rights we have as cyclist/pedestrians in a cross walk? read more…
Question
Tom asked: The city is finally repaving a very busy street and city officials have told me they want to discourage bike use on this street. They won’t consider bike lanes because of the streets narrow width and won’t consider removing parking. Can you suggest a good alternate? There are a lot of businesses on this street I want to ride to including a bike shop! read more…
