Category: Sidewalks & Crosswalks

[caption id="attachment_2061" align="alignright" width="300"] All sides of the intersection are crosswalks — marked or not, regardless of whether the sidewalk is paved or not.[/caption]

Sidewalk Operation:

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.

Resources:

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.