'Learn from this': Bicyclist ticketed several hundred in Florida

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by daveynin | Flickr

​Considered one of the more cycling-friendly states in the world, cyclists in the Sunshine State have access to a multitude of cross-state trails and roadways. However, what you might not know is that they can also be ticketed just like the motorists they share lanes with. Officers with the Sarasota Police Department have taken to their Instagram page to warn fellow bikers about the law, by way of sharing a recently issued citation.

"This morning, one of our Traffic Officers issued a citation to a bicyclist for running a red light. Let’s all learn from this!" the Instagram post shared Friday, May 26 reads. "As a bicyclist in the roadway, you must obey all traffic laws as if you were a motor vehicle. #RideSafe, Sarasota!" The post is accompanied by a photo of the citation, blurring out the recipient's name.

The cyclist was traveling southbound on SR45 at Boulevard of the Arts when they passed through a red light, violating Florida Statute 316.075(1)(C)(1). No crash, property damage, or injury of any kind occurred as a result of the infraction.

Officer T Bales is listed as the responding officer who issued the citation. The photo of the ticket also included the notation that the assessed ticket fee of $264 must be paid within 30 days by the recipient.

Overall, the comment section was pretty diverse in their feelings about the post, but many didn't find the ticketing of a cyclist to be very cool, or a good use of tax dollars.

Some commenters were quick to quip back with shorter replies such as "Laaaaame", some asked if it was a joke, while many were a bit more upset about the ordeal. Others gave their support to the law and responding Officer Bales, while a few questioned what officers were doing to keep cyclists safe on the roadways.

"Wow!!!! You guys have nothing better to do than give the wrong people tickets!!" writes Instagram user, @talmadgekane, "I am a Sarasota Local and this is so unfair to cyclists. I have seen more cars and your own Police cars running stop lights and stop signs in this city with no consequences!!!!

"And almost killing a number of people both pedestrians and cyclists." they continued. "This guy is just out here making a difference not adding to the problems of vehicles in this city and this is how you th[a]nk him. Stop wasting your time and our money!"

"You guys really on here trying to get validation for pulling over a cyclist? Why don’t you dorks put the taxpayer’s money to good use and solve some actual crimes." wrote @kierstynbb.

Some also sounded off with support for Officer Bales' decision to ticket, citing that following the rules of the road, regardless of the vehicle of choice, is the best way to keep everyone on the road safe.

"Watched him run up the middle between the cars and through the red light," @kelvinyow1972 writes, "great job officer the man on the bike deserves a ticket, and was lucky there was nobody coming in the opposite direction."

"Full support." wrote @mikensrq48, "Especially the electric bikes. Just follow the rules of the road. Not so hard to do."

While Florida has ranked overall as the 10th most bicycle-friendly state in the nation by a 2022 study, crash data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) tells a different story — that Florida leads the US in bicycle fatalities.

According to the FLHSMV Crash Dashboard, 7,132 bicycle crashes occurred in Florida in 2022, with 211 resulting in fatalities. And it appears that bicycle crashes are following a similar trend in 2023, with 3,187 cyclist crashes and 77 resulting deaths recorded state-wide so far.

"Out of interest, how many tickets have you given to motorists for violating the 3 ft law?" Instagram user @the_dowling_group asks, tagging the Sarasota Police Department. The comment has received 10 likes from fellow commenters, but no reply yet as of publication.

According to Florida Law, motorists are required to give cyclists at least 3 feet of space when driving alongside or passing them, and when turning, must yield to the bicyclist in the bike lane before completing their turn.

As for now, just how many get pulled over and ticketed for encroaching on cyclists' space on the road is unknown. To view crash data for the state of Florida, you can view the FLHSMV Crash Dashboard here.
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Article by Rachael Volpe