Dismount in Crosswalk?

Question

Juliet asked: I was wondering after an incident with a crosswalk guard if it was illegal to bike across a crosswalk? I was crossing the street, near my old high school, and a crosswalk guard started yelling at my boyfriend and I for crossing the street on our bikes via the crosswalk. I am new to Florida (really the US) and in other countries it’s totally fine to do that, completely normal. Is it not here? I live in Bradenton if that makes any difference.

Answer

Bicycles are permitted on sidewalks and crosswalks in Florida unless there is a local ordinance to the contrary. There is no requirement to dismount when in a crosswalk.

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(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.

(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.

I can find no local ordinance that would prohibit or modify the state requirements about sidewalk cycling in Bradenton or Manatee County.

You can check the local ordinances by searching for “your city or county” and “muni codes”.

I recommend asking the crossing guard the basis for the directions.

6 Comments on “Dismount in Crosswalk?

  1. The state has no requirement for a cyclist to dismount before crossing in a crosswalk, and to date I don’t recall that anyone in this forum has identified a local jurisdiction that has an ordinance on the books so requiring. School crossing guards in Florida are trained to ask a child riding a bicycle to dismount before crossing so that the child can be more attentive to traffic hazards.

  2. So what I am reading is there are not actually any laws written that we can require anyone to dismount their bike at a crosswalk,RIGHT. Thank you.

  3. Charles,

    I am aware (as of a few years ago and assuming it is still in effect) of only one jurisdiction that requires dismounting before crossing a roadway. That is a university having jurisdiction over traffic within its boundaries.

  4. My name is John Becker I have a question. I was riding my bicycle 10 to 15 miles an hour on the sidewalk where there was no bicycle path I came up to a crosswalk there was no vehicle there so I entered it and I don’t know where a vehicle appeared I ended up hitting the vehicle I ended up getting two tickets any information would help because I have permanent neck and back injuries now from smashing into this vehicle

  5. This is the only exception to the above of which I am aware.

    University of North Florida
    Policies and Regulations
    I. STATEMENT OF REGULATION
    Those who operate or use a non-motorized vehicle (including but not limited to skates, in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, and bicycles) on the University campus in a manner described below, may be charged with a traffic violation, or where applicable, a Non-Moving University Parking/Traffic Infraction Citation. The prohibitions include:
    (5) Failing to dismount a non-motorized vehicle prior to accessing a designated crosswalk; ….

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