Riding Your Bicycle On The Sidewalk: Things You Should Know
The use of bicycles isn’t just an enjoyable mode of transportation; they can also be both contentious and ambiguous. For one, they’re allowed on the road, despite being so slow. They are leg-powered. That is, you can’t run a bicycle without using your legs on the pedal. And yet, cyclists still follow most rules that apply to motorized vehicles, from stopping on the red light to be responsible for avoiding pedestrians.
On the other hand, cyclists also follow other rules and enjoy the rights of being a leg-powered snail on the road. For instance, bicycles can legally ride on both the road and the sidewalk. But they do need to follow a different set of rules while there. Here are three things you may want to know if you are a cyclist among the people who walk.
A Cyclist On The Sidewalk Is Also a Pedestrian
When on the sidewalks, the laws of Florida dictate that cyclists should share the same rights and rules that pedestrians follow. Cyclists are subject to the pedestrian traffic regulations, which are meant to keep them safe and avoid irregular traffic incidents that slow down everyone. In large, this means they should stop when the pedestrian’s traffic light for pedestrians is red, and move against traffic when there is no sidewalk to ride on.
The rule also applies when cyclists are crossing the street. When a motorized vehicle runs over a cyclist crossing the street, an investigation shall find out if the cyclist “jumped” in front of the vehicle or if the driver was overspeeding. If it was the former, then the cyclist can be punished for doing a pedestrian violation.
Cyclists Should Still Signal Before Turning
Whether they are on the street or on the sidewalk, cyclists should always signal before turning. The signal should be audible enough for people to hear but not too loud that it breaks noise pollution laws except during an emergency.
This means that their horns should never sound for more than one minute and that they follow the local sound level limit in the area. Furthermore, the rider could also just shout, telling nearby fellow pedestrians that they are turning.
A Bicycle Rider Can Carry A Child In A Sling
While this is not too obvious at first, cyclists can carry a child on a one-seater bicycle. This is allowed as long as the said child is no more than four years old and weighs up to 40 lbs. The child should be carried on a sling bag that is meant for children and the bicycle rider can carry them on their back or in front.
However, children are never allowed to ride as an extra on a one-seater bicycle. And on those bicycles that allow for more than one passenger on it, the child should always wear a helmet. The helmet should pass government safety standards for bicycle helmets and must be securely fastened on the child’s head before riding. On a bicycle for more than one passenger, however, the child can be fastened on the seat. But they should never be left alone if the rider, say, leaves for a few seconds to tie their shoes or buy from the store.
Have You Been in a Bicycle Accident in Florida?
Accidents can happen anywhere, be it on the road or on the sidewalk. They can also cause serious injuries that can be permanently disabling. If you need a lawyer to help you after your bike accident, then our team of Orlando personal injury attorneys at Payer Law are here for you. To learn more about your rights after a bicycle accident, please contact us for a free, no-risk legal consultation.
Resource:
govinfo.gov/app/details/CFR-2012-title16-vol2/CFR-2012-title16-vol2-part1203
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.130.html
https://www.payerlawgroup.com/what-is-a-jackknife-accident-and-what-causes-them/
