Florida state law permits cyclists to ride on sidewalks. However, municipalities may prohibit riding on sidewalks in certain parts of cities.
Cyclists must look out for pedestrians when traveling on sidewalks and yield the right-of-way to those on foot in all situations.
What Are the Requirements If I Want to Ride My Bike on a Sidewalk?
Florida riders are allowed to travel on sidewalks in most places, but they owe pedestrians a “duty of care” as they travel.
- Cyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians also using the sidewalk
- Cyclists must give an audible signal to make the pedestrians they will pass aware of their presence.
- Cyclists at a crosswalk must follow traffic signals to cross just as a pedestrian would.
- Motorists must yield to cyclists in crosswalks, just as they would to pedestrians.
Florida Motor Vehicle Statute 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.
(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 on Sidewalks Rules in Florida Cities
Florida makes sidewalk riding perfectly legal, but some cities will have sidewalks in certain sections of town that are off-limits to those on bikes.
Miami-Dade County posts similar language used in Flordia’s traffic codes for its ordinances. Sidewalk riding is allowed in most parts of Miami. However, the law requires cyclists to pay attention to and obey any regulatory signs they see posted on the street.
According to Miami’s Code of Ordinances Chapter 8– BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS AND OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES[1] sidewalks along Southwest 8th Street between 4th Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road are off-limits to riders.
“Sec. 8-6. – Prohibitions on the sidewalks of Southwest 8th Street between 4th Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road.
To continue to encourage a pedestrian friendly environment and provide for the safety of pedestrians using the sidewalks, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, scooter, skateboard, vehicle, or other similar devises, unless such devices are used to assist in transport of physically handicapped person, on the sidewalks of Southwest 8th Street between 4th Avenue and Tamiami Canal Road.”
The Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-182. – Riding on city property follows the lead of state laws. Sidewalk riding is allowed, except where signs forbidding riding on sidewalks are posted.
“(a)No person shall ride a bicycle or skateboard or rollerskate or in-line skate upon a sidewalk or any city property where signs are erected prohibiting such activity. The areas where such activities are prohibited shall be designated by resolution of the city commission, and such areas shall be posted accordingly.
(b)Whenever any person is riding a bicycle or skateboard or rollerskating or in-line skating upon a sidewalk, upon which such activity is not prohibited, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.”
Earning Support After a Fort Lauderdale Bicycle Accident
If you are hurt in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, please speak to a skilled Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident lawyer about holding an at-fault party fully responsible. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened. Let us know about your biggest hardships since the accident and then let us go to work making sure you have everything you need to recover.
Allow Cowen Edwards Trial Lawyers to handle the frustrating injury claims process while giving you time to focus on recovery. Our goal would be to secure the maximum in support for you while you take time to heal.
If you need our help with your case, you won’t need to have any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the car accident settlement check your family receives.
