Am I Allowed to Ride My Bike on the Crosswalk in West Palm Beach?

Various people are vulnerable when crossing crosswalks, including pedestrians and cyclists alike.  If you were struck by a vehicle while riding your bicycle across a crosswalk, you might be wondering whether you can file an injury claim. You might have heard that riding your bicycle across a crosswalk is against the law in Florida, but is this really true? How might this affect your personal injury claim? You can receive clear answers to these questions during a consultation with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in West Palm Beach.

Florida Has No Laws Against Riding Bikes Across Crosswalks

Unlike many other States, Florida does not have any laws against riding bikes across crosswalks. In other jurisdictions, you may be required to dismount and walk your bike across a crosswalk. However, this is not the case in the Sunshine State.  Indeed, you may also ride your bicycle on sidewalks with no legal consequences.

The only caveat is that you must follow the same rules as a pedestrian when riding your bicycle on the sidewalk. In the eyes of the law, you effectively “become” a pedestrian when you operate your bicycle on a sidewalk or crosswalk. If you operate your bike on the road, you have the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle.

You should also know that local municipalities have the freedom to set their own ordinances when it comes to bike riding. West Palm Beach is no exception, and while the City allows cyclists to operate on sidewalks, it specifies a few additional duties. These include ringing your bell or giving an “audible warning” when overtaking a pedestrian on a sidewalk.

How do get your Medical Bills Paid 

When you are injured in a bicycle crash, if you have an automobile policy, you should have access to your no fault/PIP coverage which provides coverage of your medical bills up to $10,000.00.  However, if another individual was negligent and caused or contributed to your crash, you may also seek compensation from them for your losses and injuries.

If you make a claim against another party, questions may arise about your use of the crosswalk in this situation, Your lawyer may need to prove that you were crossing lawfully at the time of the crash. With this type of legal assistance, you can maximize your potential recovery and ensure you get justice for what happened to you.

Find an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in West Palm Beach 

If you’ve been searching for an experienced West Palm Beach bicycle accident lawyer, look no further than Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather. We know how traumatic and life-altering a bike accident can be, and it makes sense to pursue maximum compensation for your damages in this situation. To learn more about your legal options, book a consultation with us today.

Sources: 

townofpalmbeach.com/DocumentCenter/View/22918/Florida-Bicycle-Laws—Palm-Beach-Police-Department

palmbeachtpa.org/static/sitefiles/meeting/2017_FEB_1_TAC_Bike_Suitability.pdf