ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Trooper Steve was asked on Tuesday, “Can a bicyclist pick and choose which traffic laws they follow? Like ped or vehicle laws?”
He said in many cases, bicyclists have options to either have their own designated bicycle lane or use a regular travel lane, if permitted.
“When a bicyclist chooses to do this, they must understand they cannot pick and choose which traffic laws they are going to follow. When in the roadway, whether a bicycle lane or a travel lane, a rider must follow all vehicular traffic rules unless otherwise posted,” Trooper Steve said.
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But what if there’s a stop sign or traffic signal?
“My answer would remain the exact same. A bicyclist would be required to stop at a stop sign and yield right of way to other bicycle or vehicular traffic. The exact same thing would be required at a traffic light,” he said. “In the video, the rider was utilizing the right travel lane and then violated the stop bar and the solid red to continue into a crosswalk through the intersection. This would be improper and multiple violations.”
He said the rules are in place so vehicles and bicyclists on the road can do so safely and without incident.
If you have a traffic question for Trooper Steve, email him at asktroopersteve@wkmg.com.
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