Davis Law Group, P.S.

What is a pedestrian? Skateboards, roller skates, bicycles?

Are skateboards and roller skates considered vehicles or pedestrians?

Skateboards and roller skates are great fun, but they are not considered lawful vehicles. Since they operate at a speed that makes it difficult for motorists to spot and react to, they are not allowed on roads except when crossing thestreet. Anyone using a skateboard or roller skates on a sidewalk must use them with ordinary care, at a safe speed, and must yield the right of way to other pedestrians on that sidewalk.

Is a bicycle considered a vehicle or a pedestrian?

The answer to that is it depends on the circumstances. When a bicycle is traveling on the road, the law considers it a vehicle and is treated as one. The rules of the road that apply to motor vehicles will also apply to bicycles (though there are some exceptions) and cyclists are expected to obey those rules while traveling on the roadway. However, a bicyclist traveling on a sidewalk may be considered a pedestrian, and therefore should be afforded the right of way over a motor vehicle. Of course, a person who is not riding his bike but is instead walking with it will be considered a pedestrian. Again, the actual circumstances involved in the incident will heavily if not completely determine whether a bicyclist should be treated as a motorist or a pedestrian.