I ride on the sidewalk onyl in 1 place during my commute. There is a street that is a long gradual hill, and metered parking on one side and 1 lane of traffic in each direction. The cars are always going 30 over teh speed limit and the metered parking is always full. In order to use the road, id need to "take the lane" in the one full lane of traffic and proceed up a long agonizing hill for about 2 minutes. On this 1/2 mile stretch i use the sidewalk. I think if I stayed on the raod id just be creatign a dangerosu situation