Advocacy & Safety - Get off the sidewalk

So I'm walking home from the store, about a 1.5km walk, and I see this kid riding his full suspension MTB on the sidewalk.

He passes by me and I don't say anything. He pulls a u-turn at the intersection I just passed, gets back on the sidewalk and passes me again. There was an older couple walking on the sidewalk ahead of me. The man was talking on the phone. He forces them off the sidewalk into the grass. He then pulls a u-turn at the next intersection ahead of me, gets back up on the sidewalk, buzzes the old couple but doesn't force them off the sidewalk this time. The old man gives him a dirty look but keeps talking on his cell.

So as he's heading towards me, I give him a sign to stop. He stops. I give him the compliments about his bike, then I tell him I'm a a big bike fan and quite experienced as well. Just before the old couple gets to us I give him the "gotta go, see ya around" line and advise him to stay on the street.

It works. I look back and see him driving on the street. I look back several times and he's still on the street.

I hope it'll stick.

Ok I'll admit I've never biked really, just got one and am starting, but are you not allowed to ride your bike on the sidewalk? I would think for some (me included) it'd be a lot safer than on the road, although I realize it's not always possible as sometimes there aren't sidewalks or they are really covered with walkers, etc...

around here, and it seems most other places, bikes are considered vehicles and must follow the same rules that cars do...which means staying off the sidewalk, stopping at stop signs, etc.

zeuser, nice job educating w/out nagging. youre right, it does work. i sure hate it when people point out my mistakes in a belittling way, im sure cyclists are the same way :)

Ok I read the sidewalks sticky and now I know what you mean.... sorry for being a noob.

There's a municipal bylaw around here that says bikes with wheels larger than 20" are not to use sidewalks. I think the idea was to allow small kids to use kids' bikes on the sidewalk.

The problem which results from this by-law is obvious: They get into their teens, get a full size MTB and still think riding on the sidewalk is allowed.