Cycling on the Paved Shoulder
Question
Evan asked: On this page, http://flbikelaw.org/2012/05/walking-on-a-one-way-street/, you seem to agree that it is legal, but not recommended, to ride against traffic if on the shoulder. Does this include the paved portion outside the white line?
Answer
When there is no curb, the portion of the pavement between the white edge line and the grass is the paved shoulder. In the statutory definition, it is not part of the roadway and bicycle traffic in either direction is permissible.
s. 316.003 – Definitions
(42) Roadway – That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
If marked as a bike lane, it is by definition used for vehicular traffic (bicycles) and is part of the roadway. Cycling is legal only if on the right with the flow of normal traffic.
Whether on the roadway or the paved shoulder, riding against the flow of traffic is not recommended for many reasons stated in other posts on this site.
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