Code of Ordinances

The following is a brief synopsis of bicycle, in-line skating and trail related codes.

For more detailed information on the City of Tampa Code of Ordinances, please go to the following link to view Tampa's municipal codes published by the Municipal Code Corporation.

Section 25-4 Definitions

Bicycle means every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, either of which is over twenty (20) inches in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle, though equipped with two (2) front or two (2) rear wheels. 

Motor Vehicle means every vehicle which is self-propelled and every vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails.

Motorcycle means every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor.

Motor-driven cycle means every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) horsepower, and every bicycle with motor attached.

Non-motorized vehicle means any vehicle which is operated, pulled or pushed by a horse, mule, any beast of burden or human which may be hired for the transportation of passengers and which is operated within the corporate limits of the city. This term includes horse-drawn vehicle as defined and used herein.

Pedestrian means any person afoot. 

Vehicle means every device in, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, street or pathway, excepting devices moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

It is unlawful for any person to drive, operate, park, stop, occupy, ride upon, be a passenger in or alight from, on or into any motor vehicle, vehicle, as defined by state laws or Section 25-4, or bicycle in or upon any city park, playground, recreational area or any real property, whether dedicated to the public use or not, of the city except upon the streets or highways publicly maintained for purposes of vehicular travel or roads, pathways and parking areas specifically designated for that purpose.

No vehicle traveling upon the streets, highways, passageways or pathways within any park owned, leased, managed or controlled by the city shall exceed (15) miles per hour unless designated by appropriate signs.

(a)   Generally.  No person shall stand or park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. 

(b)   Franklin Street Semi-Mall.  No person shall stand or park a bicycle anywhere on the Franklin Street Semi-Mall except in bicycle racks provided thereof; nor shall any person chain a bicycle to any post, tree or other upright object in or on the semi-mall. The Franklin Street Semi-Mall is that area of Franklin Street between J. F. Kennedy Boulevard on the south and Cass Street on the north. 

(Ord. No. 89-258, & 2(57-216), 10-5-89)

State law references:  Bicycle regulations, F.S. & 316.2065. 

Sec. 25-172. Use of skateboards, coasters, roller skates, in-line skates, etc., on public and private property.

(a)   It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride a skateboard, coaster or other similar device on any of the following locations:

(1)   On any city street, road or roadway;

(2)   On any sidewalk in the Downtown Central Business District, with the exception of roller skating and in-line skating, which are permitted between sunset and sunrise;

(3)   On any sidewalk in the Ybor City Business District, including 6th, 7th and 8th Avenues;

(4)   On any public parking lot or ramp;

(5)   On any public property where signs prohibit it;

(6)   On private property, unless permission is granted by the owner, lessee or other legally authorized individual.

(b)   It is unlawful for any person to operate or ride roller skates or in-line skates on any of the following locations:

(1)   On any city street, road or roadway except as otherwise permitted in this section;

(2)   On any sidewalk in the Downtown Central Business District, except between sunset and sunrise;

(3)   On any city street, road, roadway or sidewalk in the Ybor City Business District, including 6th, 7th and 8th Avenues;

(4)   On any public parking lot or ramp;

(5)   On any public property where signs prohibit it;

(6)   On private property, unless permission is granted by the owner, lessee or other legally authorized individual.

(c)   It is lawful to operate roller skates or on-line skates only on streets, roads or roadways where the speed limit is thirty (30) miles per hour or less and on which there is no painted centerline (solid or broken) or concrete median.

(d)   Operators or riders or skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, coasters or other similar devices shall yield the right-of-way to other pedestrians using city sidewalks and shall not otherwise endanger or interfere with pedestrian traffic on those sidewalks.

(e)   Any person operating or riding roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, coasters or other similar devices between sunset and sunrise on city streets, roads, roadways or sidewalks where permitted shall be required to wear lights with front and rear visibility or five hundred (500) feet.

(f)   Any person operating or riding roller skates or in-line skates on city streets, roads or roadways shall not be considered to be a moving vehicle.

(g)   Any person operating or riding roller skates or in-line skates upon a city street, road or roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under the following situations:

(1)   When overtaking and passing another person or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

(2)   When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition, including but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, skater, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a skater and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(h)   Persons skating upon a city street, road or roadway may not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of skaters. Persons riding two (2) abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall skate within a single lane.

(Ord. No. 89-258, & 2(57-192), 10-5-89; Ord. No. 90-125, & 1, 5-17-90; Ord. No. 95-134, & 1, 7-20-95; Ord. No. 95-208, &1, 10-12-95)

(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.

(b) When signs are erected on any sidewalk or street which prohibit the riding of bicycles thereon by any person, no person shall disobey such signs.

(c) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. (Ord. No. 89-258, & 2(57-217), 10-5-89)

No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use upon a bicycle any siren or whistle.

(Ord. No. 89-258, & 2(57-218), 10-5-89)

(a)   An owner, having been issued a permit under this article to engage in the business of operating nonmotorized vehicles, shall be subject to all traffic provisions of this Code and all other ordinances, rules and regulations now in effect in the city, state or nation and all ordinances and rules and regulations which may pertain to the operation of nonmotorized vehicles hereafter enacted or adopted by the city or the state or federal government and such rules and regulations formulated and promulgated under authority of this chapter.

(b)   Nonmotorized vehicles and carriages shall be prohibited from stopping, standing or parking on public rights-of-way for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or for any other purpose except obeyance of a traffic signal, sign or device or lawful order or direction of a police officer or fire department official or upon written permission granted by the governmental entity, agency or committee having jurisdiction and control over such rights-of-way.

(c)   In the interest of protecting the safety of passengers, passersby and other vehicles, the following safety regulations are imposed:

(1)   It is unlawful for the driver of a nonmotorized vehicle or carriage to leave the vehicle or animal unattended at any time.

(2)   It is unlawful for the driver of a nonmotorized vehicle or carriage to collect fares, make change or take on, discharge or solicit passengers while the nonmotorized vehicle is in motion.

(Ord. No. 89-258, & 2(57-229), 10-5-89)