Advocacy & Safety - Bike paths/sidewalks

I have noticed a strong similarity between some urban bike paths and the average sidewalk. In fact, it would be difficult to tell the difference, if it weren't for the signs that read "STOP" at every other driveway.

The main difference between these two animals is that people love to walk on bike paths, but sidewalks are often totally empty.

Spooky.

Some other differences between a bike path and a sidewalk are:
1. the bike path usually has a dashed line in the center (much like a road).
2. there are occasional bike path rules signs (unfortunately not many users read the rules).
3. the bike path is wider than a typical sidewalk.
4. the bike path is in a better state of repair than many sidewalks (and most roads). :(
5. bike paths have more broken glass, trash, and doggy "piles" than sidewalks.

Don't forget that most bike paths turn more often. I don't know why it is, but the one that I take on my commute has endless turns. To the point that I stay on it for 2km and ride the road next to it for the remaining 3 or 4.