Is riding on the sidewalk ever ok?
01-23-18, 03:22 PM
#26
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If riding on the sidewalk is illegal, the police are unlikely to stop you. However, if you kill a child that runs out onto the sidewalk, it isn't going to be considered an accident because you were operating a vehicle where you shouldn't have been.
01-23-18, 04:06 PM
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Q: Can I ride my bicycle on the sidewalk?
A: It depends. Ohio law does not prohibit sidewalk cycling. In fact, state law prohibits municipalities from imposing “bike bans” that force cyclists to use sidewalks instead of roads. Otherwise, Ohio law leaves it to municipalities to decide where cyclists can ride.
Many cities do not permit sidewalk cycling, but some cities modify this rule by banning sidewalk riders over a specific age or by banning sidewalk riding in defined “business districts.” Check your local city ordinances to see if and where sidewalk riding is allowed.
https://www.ohiobar.org/ForPublic/Re...e-in-Ohio.aspxA: It depends. Ohio law does not prohibit sidewalk cycling. In fact, state law prohibits municipalities from imposing “bike bans” that force cyclists to use sidewalks instead of roads. Otherwise, Ohio law leaves it to municipalities to decide where cyclists can ride.
Many cities do not permit sidewalk cycling, but some cities modify this rule by banning sidewalk riders over a specific age or by banning sidewalk riding in defined “business districts.” Check your local city ordinances to see if and where sidewalk riding is allowed.
CoCC 2173.10 Riding bicycles on sidewalks.
(a) No person shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk, except for children's non-motorized vehicles as defined in section 2173.015 (A)(2), and at locations that the Columbus city council designates as bikeways or shared-use paths.
https://www.columbus.gov/publicservi...s-and-the-Law/(a) No person shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk, except for children's non-motorized vehicles as defined in section 2173.015 (A)(2), and at locations that the Columbus city council designates as bikeways or shared-use paths.
The good news is that there is an excellent CyclingSavvy chapter in Columbus. Take the course. Your riding will be transformed.
https://register.cyclingsavvy.org/groups/ohio
01-23-18, 04:22 PM
#28
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I use sidewalks from time to time. There is one that is ambiguous on whether it is a bike path or sidewalk, with very few pedestrians.
One thing that I'll do from time to time is to cut down the left side of a 4 lane road that I'm only planning to take for 1/2 block before stopping at a store on the left side.
In another place, I find it convenient to move away from a busy intersection and it is easier to cross 1/2 block further East. Or, at another, I have troubles crossing at a stop sign, but can generally cross at a traffic light one block away.
Just keep in mind the limitations of sidewalk riding including a lack of visibility at intersections and driveways. And, always be courteous to pedestrians.
01-23-18, 05:52 PM
#29
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I am with my wife.... who depends on me to return from my rides. I am forced to act in my own best interest. Thankfully.... I still have a great time. Glad we share this view!
01-23-18, 06:25 PM
#30
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Just remember the sidewalk is for pedestrians. So, if you have to ride on it... 1) Keep your speed in check 2) Always give way to pedestrians.
I say `have to ride on it', as the road should always be first choice.
I say `have to ride on it', as the road should always be first choice.
01-23-18, 06:29 PM
#31
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Generally speaking; no. At least where I live, it's not even legal if over 12. That said, I do it all the time on a couple sections of unavoidable busy highway near my place. This road is very busy, fast, and lacks a shoulder or bike lane. I've never seen a pedestrian on these, so I'm not endangering anyone. If they really wanted to give me a ticket, I suppose they could. I'd take that over being hit any day. Other than that short section of road, never - I just avoid dangerous roads where possible.
01-23-18, 07:28 PM
#32
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I stated in another thread that if I'm going to do anything illegal, I'll have to be prepared to explain my reasoning to the judge.
I ride on the sidewalk every morning for about 700m on my way to the bike path. If I were to follow the letter of the law, I would be in the left lane making a left turn from an 80km/hr three lane road where cars enter and exit a highway.
The police has seen me several times (on this sidewalk) and do nothing. I think they see it's pretty obvious why I'm on the sidewalk.
I ride on the sidewalk every morning for about 700m on my way to the bike path. If I were to follow the letter of the law, I would be in the left lane making a left turn from an 80km/hr three lane road where cars enter and exit a highway.
The police has seen me several times (on this sidewalk) and do nothing. I think they see it's pretty obvious why I'm on the sidewalk.
01-23-18, 07:37 PM
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Is it in a business district? It's probably not illegal unless it's in a business district.
As long as you yield to others (peds have the right of way on sidewalks), and ride slow enough for conditions (typical short sight lines to peds popping out of areas obscured by plants, buildings or vehicles), you should be okay. Be especially careful at intersections and driveway crossings where bike speed traffic is unexpected. It's ALL on you.
As long as you yield to others (peds have the right of way on sidewalks), and ride slow enough for conditions (typical short sight lines to peds popping out of areas obscured by plants, buildings or vehicles), you should be okay. Be especially careful at intersections and driveway crossings where bike speed traffic is unexpected. It's ALL on you.
Ben
01-23-18, 07:50 PM
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I wouldn't do it, but there are a couple of places in town where it wouldn't be unreasonable if you had a bike suited to it. Sidewalks on which I don't think I've ever seen either a pedestrian or a bicycle.
01-23-18, 08:12 PM
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...Last week I visited the family in Macomb County, MI. IMO, that is some of the nastiest road riding I have ever encountered.
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. I have developed a technique for riding under such circumstances I call ”bolus riding.” (Bolus = “a small rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing”; think of swallowed food as it passes down the esophagus.)
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. I have developed a technique for riding under such circumstances I call ”bolus riding.” (Bolus = “a small rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing”; think of swallowed food as it passes down the esophagus.)
Here is a man who thinks too much when he rides ... and truly didn’t enjoy riding that region.
01-23-18, 08:27 PM
#36
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The cities I have lived in and checked spelled out quite clearly whether or not sidewalk riding is legal. Several had business districts where it was not and those borders spelled out by the street names. Where was legal, it was made clear that cyclists yielded to everybody. The quote above is a good summary of the law in the cities where I have checked.
Ben
Ben
01-24-18, 05:07 AM
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...Last week I visited the family in Macomb County, MI. IMO, that is some of the nastiest road riding I have ever encountered…
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. I have developed a technique for riding under such circumstances I call "bolus riding…"
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. I have developed a technique for riding under such circumstances I call "bolus riding…"
Just yesterday, I posted to the Great Lakes Regional Forum, "Riding in Detroit,"
Though I have lived in Boston for many years, I’m a native of Detroit City Proper, East Side near the City Airport and most of the family is now in Macomb and Oakland Counties. I visit a couple times a year with my bike. It was nostalgic to read these [pleasant] descriptions of riding there, and accurate IMO.
I'm very motivated by novelty, and stymied by boredom on a bike…when the commute is getting too familiar, I just raise my head higher and look over a wider field of view.
I particularly seek novelty on my long Saturday rides. On last Saturday's ride (8/22/14) I pondered my routes…
I particularly seek novelty on my long Saturday rides. On last Saturday's ride (8/22/14) I pondered my routes…
…Over the past few months I have come to realize that my safety aphorisms, collected over the years [while riding] by personal or vicarious experience, are my way of actively aligning the stars in my favor, to anticipate those unseen and otherwise unanticipated dangers.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 01-24-18 at 07:10 AM.
01-24-18, 12:33 PM
#38
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+1. All the streets in my 'hood are one way. To ride to ride east or south from my house, I either have to ride a block of sidewalk or go out of my way two blocks, using busier streets that are relatively narrow and have busses on them along with a fair amount of traffic during the morning rush. I opt for the block of sidewalk or even a small street (which rarely has traffic in the morning) the wrong way. Always go slow and yield to others.
01-24-18, 12:39 PM
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In Philly it's illegal for anyone within a business district. If you are 12 or over, it's illegal everywhere. Translation: 11 or under and you can ride sidewalks outside of business districts. Exceptions are combination ped/bike recreation paths in certain park areas.
01-24-18, 03:07 PM
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I was discussing this question with my four year old and she said "I think it's OK for people to ride on the sidewalk as long as they are careful they don't run over kids who might be playing on the sidewalk".
01-24-18, 03:27 PM
#41
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have to get on the sidewalk & ride past pedestrians to use the paved MUP
01-24-18, 07:24 PM
#42
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Hmmm... it appears as if Oregon's sidewalk law is: ORS 814.410
(reverse order for readability).
So, generally allowed, but with some caveats.
(reverse order for readability).
(2) Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, a bicyclist on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.
(1) A person commits the offense of unsafe operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk if the person does any of the following: (a) Operates the bicycle so as to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(b) Operates a bicycle upon a sidewalk and does not give an audible warning before overtaking and passing a pedestrian and does not yield the right of way to all pedestrians on the sidewalk.
(c) Operates a bicycle on a sidewalk in a careless manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property.
(d) Operates the bicycle at a speed greater than an ordinary walk when approaching or entering a crosswalk, approaching or crossing a driveway or crossing a curb cut or pedestrian ramp and a motor vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, driveway, curb cut or pedestrian ramp. This paragraph does not require reduced speeds for bicycles at places on sidewalks or other pedestrian ways other than places where the path for pedestrians or bicycle traffic approaches or crosses that for motor vehicle traffic.
(e) Operates an electric assisted bicycle on a sidewalk.
(1) A person commits the offense of unsafe operation of a bicycle on a sidewalk if the person does any of the following: (a) Operates the bicycle so as to suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(b) Operates a bicycle upon a sidewalk and does not give an audible warning before overtaking and passing a pedestrian and does not yield the right of way to all pedestrians on the sidewalk.
(c) Operates a bicycle on a sidewalk in a careless manner that endangers or would be likely to endanger any person or property.
(d) Operates the bicycle at a speed greater than an ordinary walk when approaching or entering a crosswalk, approaching or crossing a driveway or crossing a curb cut or pedestrian ramp and a motor vehicle is approaching the crosswalk, driveway, curb cut or pedestrian ramp. This paragraph does not require reduced speeds for bicycles at places on sidewalks or other pedestrian ways other than places where the path for pedestrians or bicycle traffic approaches or crosses that for motor vehicle traffic.
(e) Operates an electric assisted bicycle on a sidewalk.
- Holler or ring a bell when around pedestrians. Yield, and show courtesy.
- USE CAUTION WHEN SIDEWALKS CROSS TRAFFIC LANES.
- Disallowed for E-Bikes.
01-24-18, 08:05 PM
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It always depend on the situation. On busy downtown sidewalks, no, and no. Too congested. Too dangerous. Too many hazards. Also illegal.
On urban roads where traffic moves too fast, sidewalks devoid of pedestrians, yes, they can be treated like MUP's as far as I'm concerned. Still illegal...I think, but safer than the road sometimes.
On urban roads where traffic moves too fast, sidewalks devoid of pedestrians, yes, they can be treated like MUP's as far as I'm concerned. Still illegal...I think, but safer than the road sometimes.
01-27-18, 08:39 AM
#45
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If it was safer in the street I would not ride on the sidewalk. Bikelanes are not existent. The sidewalks are ramped for handicap access for miles.
I almost hit this daf women the other day. You know that was the first time in a dozen years that happened. She jumped out of her vehicle right onto the sidewalk. One of those mascara lunch hour walkers. I saw her with plenty of time. She just stood there, and told me I was not suppose to be up here. I told her the same thing and kept riding.
I almost hit this daf women the other day. You know that was the first time in a dozen years that happened. She jumped out of her vehicle right onto the sidewalk. One of those mascara lunch hour walkers. I saw her with plenty of time. She just stood there, and told me I was not suppose to be up here. I told her the same thing and kept riding.
01-27-18, 08:56 AM
#46
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Define "okay."
01-27-18, 09:46 PM
#47
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this section is OK to ride, not that it's OK to ride
01-27-18, 10:21 PM
#48
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Looks perfect for a fat tire bike, even still, the road is going to be a bit faster.
To answer the OP, if there are no witnesses, ride where ever you want.
Rest assured, if there is anyone else on the road or sidewalk, they may have a difference of opinion about where you should be.
I've got no dog in this fight, I typically follow the path of least resistance, usually that is the road.
To answer the OP, if there are no witnesses, ride where ever you want.
Rest assured, if there is anyone else on the road or sidewalk, they may have a difference of opinion about where you should be.
I've got no dog in this fight, I typically follow the path of least resistance, usually that is the road.
01-28-18, 01:53 AM
#49
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OP, you’re torturing yourself over nothing. You're doing what's safest for yourself, clearly you’re being considerate to pedestrians, and you're fortunate to have police who just let you get on with it. Relax.
01-28-18, 01:39 PM
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If it's safer to ride on the sidewalk because the street design makes cycling unsafe, I will always choose the sidewalk. City ordinance and annoying other sidewalk users takes a backseat to safety.