Is it Legal to Ride a Bicycle on the Sidewalk in Florida? | Cycling Safety Tips | Bike Riding Laws

Is it legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in Florida? The short answer to this question is yes. It is legal to ride a bicycle in Florida on the sidewalk. However, it is subject to limitations. You need to ride carefully. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way and you need to make an audible sound when you're going to pass them. Many cities, like St. Augustine, Sarasota and some others have restricted bicycles on sidewalks in their downtown area, where there are tourists and lots of people walking.

For the average person, you're safer to ride on the road because in general drivers aren't looking for a someone riding a bike on the sidewalk. It's legal in Florida to ride a bicycle in either direction on the sidewalk. So, you can ride against traffic on the sidewalk or with traffic. While it is legal, Jim Dodson, (aka The Florida Bike Guy) thinks it's not all that safe, particularly when you ride against traffic, because when you get to a corner, a driver coming from a side street is going to be looking the opposite direction to where you're coming. And, in general, drivers are not looking for someone coming up on the sidewalk from the direction that they're turning.

So while it's legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in Florida, it's great for children, it's great for certain situations, maybe you want to pop on the sidewalk and ride there for a while, but generally, Jim thinks you're safer riding on the street. Just be sure to obey all the traffic laws as a cyclist on the street.

[CommutebyBicycle]

In West Palm Beach, I agree that it's "safer" on the road / bike lane compared to the sidewalk. Blame city planners and engineers, not the drivers for this one.

[wilbertcordero]

Very interesting, good to know the Cycling laws. Do you have wear a helmet to ride on the bike lane??

[katijones]

Jim, I appreciate you sharing this valuable information!

[BlitzOfTheReich]

I ride on the road in my neighborhood because there are roundabouts and the roads are narrow. I will never ever ride a bike on a major stroad in Florida. I'd rather ride on the sidewalk with traffic and simply slow down near side streets. Way less dangerous than being hit by a car going 40 mph.

[CowPieTopping]

I ride in Tallahassee and while it is an ebike on a sidewalk I don't have much option. I ride slow no more than 8mph. If I want to make a left into the building where I work in order to get to the office where I can park my bike. If I were to stay on the bike Lane I'd either be riding on it against traffic or having to cross 5 lanesand a median with a barrier from the "correct" lane... any advice for this?

[chipm]

Thank you for this information, very good to know. Would like to ask a different 2 wheel motorcycle question: Is it legal to ride one's motorcycle while standing in FL, of course facing forward, each foot on its respective footpeg? No stunts, no speeding, just a 55 y/o enjoying some extra airflow and butt rest. FHP trooper gave me a warning only. I have been riding 30+ years, take my riding seriously, be careful, courteous, recently took 2 advanced motorcycle courses (road & off-road). The off-road was taught by 2 motorcycle police officers, the 2-day off-road course was all standing. I have never heard of this before. If this is so, any way to rescind this law? I ride an adventure motorcycle designed & built for standing, times have changed, adventure bike market is exploding. Thank you.

[lawdelpus]

So it is not illegal to ride a bike in either direction on a florida sidewalk.
Please see the vid about the cyclist on "honor your oath" channel the cop wrote a ticket for riding against traffic on a sidewalk

[jfloyo]

What if you are riding legally on the road and someone jaywalks...who has the right of way?

[ChrisBFerguson]

I ride on the road as much as possible when I am on E Bike and you know what it's taught me? How much some people really don't know how to drive or the laws of the road. Bikes are allowed on the road and E-Bikes going as fast as I am going are not allowed on the sidewalk. I have to deal with morons who don't respect my right to cycle on the road. Two people I dealt with should have had the Cops called on them for the way they started crap with me but I don't trust how the police are. I get it that it's frustrating that you have to slow down because of me but when a bike is going closer to the speed of a car than the speed of a manual bike than you're being ignorant by disrespecting my right to cycle on the road.

[tuggiewest]

Bike riding in bike lanes are very dangerous! Cars & truck with large mirrors have killed many cyclist from behind. I'm save on the sidewalk in non congested areas where not many people walk. Too many cars now.