Archive of questions, answers about Florida bicycle laws and law enforcement
All sides of the intersection are crosswalks — marked or not, regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved or not.[/caption]
316.2065 (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.
316.2065 (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.
Bicycles can be legally operated on all Florida sidewalks and crosswalks unless a local ordinance prohibits it. When on a sidewalk, the operator is operating a vehicle and must use helmets and lights when required, and is subject to the DUI laws. Otherwise, the operator has the rights and duties of a pedestrian, but must yield to all pedestrians.
The rights and duties of pedestrians are explained in more detail at Best Foot Forward, an Orlando-based initiative for pedestrian safety.
CommuteOrlando offers a visual primer on crosswalk challenges.
Question Jim asked: My family, which includes several experienced cyclists, is visiting xxx in Florida and have had some interesting experiences with police and a bike shop employee who have told us that we cannot ride on the roadway and …
Question Guillermo asked: I made a right turn into commercial shopping area and out of nowhere an officer on a bike on the sidewalk almost hit my car. He said I was not looking for pedestrians’ right of way. In …
Question Shawn asked: What defines a sidewalk or bicycle path? Must signage be posted to designate a sidewalk or bicycle path? Do certain size characteristics accompany sidewalks or bicycle paths so as to alert motorized vehicle operators to avoid traveling …
Question Scott Asked: In a recent email from the head of campus security, students were informed: Bicycles and skateboards do not have the right of way at crosswalks or at any other time …. If you fail to stop before …
Question J asked: My wife and I rode our bicycles to a (football) game tonight. We were riding down xxxx Street, through traffic, when we were politely redirected by a police officer to follow the pedestrians because it “would be …
Question Debbie asked: I was riding on a sidewalk/bike path. Headed west had green at intersection. A car headed east had a green light and was stopped in left lane, then turned left. I caught her out of the corner …
Question Charlie asked: If a person on a bicycle is cycling on a sidewalk and there are pedestrian crosswalk lights, isn’t he/she obligated to obey the crosswalk lights? However, if he/she didn’t AND a vehicle is pulling out of a …
Question Bob asked: I was told by a University police officer yesterday that I had to use the bike lane (as opposed to riding on the adjacent sidewalk, which I was doing at the moment). Is that correct? I thought …
Question David asked: Do Florida Statutes address motorized wheelchairs or scooters used by the elderly and disabled?
Question Frank asked: I tried looking up what the fine is for riding an electric bicycle (under electric power) on a sidewalk. Can you tell me what that may be?