Commuting - Sidewalk or side of the road?

I'm new to the commuting scene. You guys riding on the road or sidewalk? The road is way smoother, but I don't want my face to get way smoother.

Some of the roads in my town have bike lanes and some don't. An EMT friend of mine always tells me stories of cars veering into bike lanes and taking out bikers. But, riding on the sidewalk is rough and annoying.

Lately I've been doing a bit of both. I ride on the road in my small neighborhood, on the sidewalk on the big roads and then hop onto the road to cross the street when there is a gap in the cars or if something is blocking the sidewalk.

What to do?

Aside from generally being against the law, riding on the sidewalk is very dangerous, especially if you just ride from the sidewalks into the multitude of intersections you will have to cross. Since the buildings and whatnot obscure you from view, your entry into intersections will be far more sudden from a drivers perspective than if you were on the road, and you will be much more likely to get T-boned (especially since many drivers don't come to a stop until they are already well into/slightly past the crosswalk markings).

While it can initially be unnerving to ride in traffic, you get used to it and before long it won't be an issue. It also helps to get a helmet mounted mirror to help keep track of what traffic around you is doing, that way you can better react if someone tries to veer into you.

Edit: Also, as a side note, just riding in the bike lanes/in traffic in general, I cannot think of one time I've nearly had someone just drift/veer into me. In fact, I've come closer to veering into cars (on account of not realizing my helmet mirror has a blind spot) than they have into me. All the same, it's good to pay attention to what cars are doing around you, because stuff can happen (but stuff can also happen on the sidewalk, in your car, on the bus, in planes, walking, etc).

I do a little bit of both, but since I just got a hybrid, I plan to spend more time on the road.

I should also clarify that most of my riding is best described as suburban. The sidewalk intersects things like parking lots for grocery stores and other roads. But the streets aren't lined with buildings or anything.

The only time I'm on the sidewalk is when I'm riding with my son and he's on his balance bike. In those circumstances we're moving at the pace of a fast walk, so we have time to move out of the way for pedestrians and/or vehicles exiting/entering their driveways. Otherwise I'm on the road, even when hauling my son on his Trail-a-Bike. In those circumstances, of course, blinkies are blinking and safety flags are waving.

When I'm on my own, active lighting is paramount... even in daylight. I don't want to give motorists the opportunity to say they can't see me. I use an Airzound air horn to make myself heard as well. Most importantly, I ride defensively... assuming at all times that motorists can neither see nor hear me.

In my city it's legal to ride on either, but laws vary based on location and riding on the sidewalk can be against the law depending on your location. I personally ride where I feel it is safest. If the road has no shoulder and 50mph traffic, I'm going to ride the sidewalk. If it's a back road without too much traffic, or the road has a good shoulder, then I'll ride on the road.

so many good reasons not to ride on sidewalks that I can't list them..............................................

This accident was 5 miles outside of my city. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110331/ARTICLES/110339903?p=1&tc=pg
The basic rundown: There was a huge bike even with lots of riders from around the country. They were riding on the shoulder of a country road. I young guy in a puck-up truck veered into the shoulder and hit a biker. He died right away. Initial reports thought that the driver was distracted by his phone. Last I heard was that they checked his phone records and there was no phone activity at the time of the accident (certainly he could have still been distracted by the phone if he was going to make a call or text and didn't get to it yet...etc.).

I am not trying to be argumentative, but this type of incident is the biggest risk that is on my mind. I try to be very defensive and assume people don't see me whether I'm on the sidewalk or the road. I'm just not seeing the huge downfall (safety wise) of being on the sidewalk.

I've been commuting for about two weeks now. The only bad experience on the road I personally have had is that coming up to an intersection there was a car to my left and a curb on my right. The driver was looking left to look for cars as he approached the intersection, he was going to make a right on red. We weren't quite to the intersection yet and he started moving to the right and got real close to the curb before making his turn. I had to hit the brakes and fall in behind him.

However, riding on the sidewalk is annoying.

so many good reasons not to ride on sidewalks that I can't list them..............................................

And lots of good reasons to ride on sidewalks if the situation calls for it. Even in the bike friendly city I live in there are streets I do not ride on the road. It's not a black and white issue. Depends on the situation. To have an ideology to never ride on the sidewalk is indeed foolish.

Don't be afraid. Develop cycling skills.

I ride in the roads, my town doesn't have too many sidewalks unless you go down town. Even then you have to be careful, some of the sidewalks have a 2 foot drop down to the curb, then another drop down to the street. The city has been installing sidewalks in the area of town that is expanding.

I ride in the roads, my town doesn't have too many sidewalks unless you go down town. Even then you have to be careful, some of the sidewalks have a 2 foot drop down to the curb, then another drop down to the street. The city has been installing sidewalks in the area of town that is expanding.

2 feet?! That sounds crazy, even by Texas standards.

Some people will insist you have to ride in the road at all times, but in downtown San Jose, it's safer imo to mix sidewalk and road riding, depending on the street, time of day and level of traffic. ideally you should find a route which allows you to stay on the road as much as possible, simply because roads are smoother and you can go faster

When riding on the sidewalk, you have to think and act more like a fast moving pedestrian than a bike rider.. ie stop/slow down at intersections to ensure no cars are turning, watch out for cars coming down driveways, etc

When riding in the road, don't be afraid to "take the lane" and act like a car when you have to. If you ride predictably and with the speed of traffic, most car drivers will give you your space.

I always ride on the side of the road. Only cause it only takes a couple teenagers dropping a bottle or a stick in front of you to cost you a lot of greif

I don't like riding on the shoulder with heavy traffic that exceeds 40MPH, but I would rather do it instead of riding on sidewalks. There is a 400 foot section of sidewalk that I use simply because there is never any foot traffic, and it is safer than the road for that length.

Sidewalk riding is illegal in my town except for children. I cringe when I see adults zoom on their bikes along the rather narrow sidewalk on my usual route. The sidewalks here always have people on them and I've seen several near misses and they make me twitch. My commute follows a common bike route so there are also lots of cyclists on the road. Sidewalk cycling looks like no fun whatsoever from all of the people-baby stroller-dog walkers with dogs who use the sidewalk. I'll guess that some of the sidewalk cyclists are new to bike commuting and don't yet feel comfortable finding their places on the streets. Doesn't explain the high speeds... I just hope no one gets hurt.

The road. Despite the rare horror story, it is much safer than the sidewalk.

This accident was 5 miles outside of my city. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110331/ARTICLES/110339903?p=1&tc=pg
The basic rundown: There was a huge bike even with lots of riders from around the country. They were riding on the shoulder of a country road. I young guy in a puck-up truck veered into the shoulder and hit a biker. He died right away. Initial reports thought that the driver was distracted by his phone. Last I heard was that they checked his phone records and there was no phone activity at the time of the accident (certainly he could have still been distracted by the phone if he was going to make a call or text and didn't get to it yet...etc.).

I am not trying to be argumentative, but this type of incident is the biggest risk that is on my mind. I try to be very defensive and assume people don't see me whether I'm on the sidewalk or the road. I'm just not seeing the huge downfall (safety wise) of being on the sidewalk.

I've been commuting for about two weeks now. The only bad experience on the road I personally have had is that coming up to an intersection there was a car to my left and a curb on my right. The driver was looking left to look for cars as he approached the intersection, he was going to make a right on red. We weren't quite to the intersection yet and he started moving to the right and got real close to the curb before making his turn. I had to hit the brakes and fall in behind him.

However, riding on the sidewalk is annoying.

This could just as (if not more) easily have been "cyclist riding on sidewalk, car looking down road doesn't see him/her, pulls out in front and cyclist dies". Drivers simply do not look farther than the curb. If a pedestrian is not right there about to step out, in their mind it is safe to go. There doesn't need to be any building in the way to see, as their eyes are focused further out looking for vehicular traffic (where you would be if you were riding in the road). This doesn't even begin to consider traffic turning right that won't see you on the sidewalk, traffic turning left from the oncoming lane that wont see you... these are the type of accidents that account for almost all cycling-related accidents, and the best way to prevent them is by riding assertively (but not recklessly!) where drivers can see you, using lights and reflectors to make yourself more visible, and wearing a mirror so you can see what cars are doing around you. The once in a blue moon "hit from behind at 70mph, instant death" accident makes for some sensational reporting, but frankly doesn't happen that much.

This is like people who are afraid of flying because they fear crashing so they drive cross-country, which puts them at enormously greater risk of death. It's all about control really. By riding on the sidewalk, you feel more in control of your safety, while the careless driver from behind is out of your control. It's the same with flying/driving, your life is in the hands of the pilots, atc's and mechanics, and that's uncomfortable, while when you are driving you feel more in control. But it truly is an illusion. You are more at risk on the sidewalk of people not seeing you at driveways, parking lots and intersections than you are out on the street.

Does that mean there are never times you should be on the sidewalk? No... but I do think they are the exception to the rule. And if for some reason I am forced onto the sidewalk (shortcut down a one-way, construction, traffic, etc.), I get off an walk it. On the sidewalk, you should always be traveling at the speed of pedestrian traffic (technically the slowest of the pedestrian traffic, at least that's the way the law is written around here), and I know that my bike doesn't handle well at those speeds. So the safe course of action is to get off and walk when I must be on the sidewalk.

This accident was 5 miles outside of my city. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110331/ARTICLES/110339903?p=1&tc=pg
I am not trying to be argumentative, but this type of incident is the biggest risk that is on my mind. I try to be very defensive and assume people don't see me whether I'm on the sidewalk or the road. I'm just not seeing the huge downfall (safety wise) of being on the sidewalk.


That's a common fear, but it simply isn't justified. It is very rare for cyclists to be hit from behind, and when it does happen, it almost always involves cyclists riding at night without lights. The vast majority of collisions happen at intersections, where you are much safer on the road. The problem with sidewalks is that you are still exposed to cars at every intersection, alley, parking lot entrance, etc, but you are far less likely to be seen. The best way to stay safe is to be visible and predictable, and that means behaving like any other vehicle.

The best way to stay safe is to be visible and predictable, and that means behaving like any other vehicle.

And conversely, behave like a pedestrian when on the sidewalks. If you ride your bike into an intersection from the sidewalk without looking, you are just as foolish as if you were to walk into an intersection without looking.

Where I live, there are plenty of stretches of wide sidewalks with few or no driveways. Some of these stretches of sidewalk follow along busy one way streets, cars parallel parked on each shoulder, with speeds hitting 45 mph. I have no problem taking the lane when I think it is the safest move.. but I will also ride on the sidewalk when I think that will get me home in one piece.

obviously, find out and follow your local laws. Last night i went cruising through the bar district on my bike, riding the sidewalk pretty much the whole time. Saw plenty of cops, none said a word to me.

If i had to commute regularly though I would definitely recommend finding a route where you feel safe riding in the road the whole way

Some people will insist you have to ride in the road at all times, but in downtown San Jose, it's safer imo to mix sidewalk and road riding, depending on the street, time of day and level of traffic. ideally you should find a route which allows you to stay on the road as much as possible, simply because roads are smoother and you can go faster

When riding on the sidewalk, you have to think and act more like a fast moving pedestrian than a bike rider.. ie stop/slow down at intersections to ensure no cars are turning, watch out for cars coming down driveways, etc

When riding in the road, don't be afraid to "take the lane" and act like a car when you have to. If you ride predictably and with the speed of traffic, most car drivers will give you your space.

I agree with all this, from an L.A. point of view. Regardless of what the sidewalk haters think, not everyone's town/situation is the same as theirs. Most places here, it's legal to be on the sidewalk as long as you yield to peds, which is really a non-issue. It's sometimes safer or more convenient to just slow down and ride the sidewalk depending on the situation.

Road. Sometimes the side, sometimes the middle of the lane.

This accident was 5 miles outside of my city. http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110331/ARTICLES/110339903?p=1&tc=pg
The basic rundown: There was a huge bike even with lots of riders from around the country. They were riding on the shoulder of a country road. I young guy in a puck-up truck veered into the shoulder and hit a biker. He died right away. Initial reports thought that the driver was distracted by his phone. Last I heard was that they checked his phone records and there was no phone activity at the time of the accident (certainly he could have still been distracted by the phone if he was going to make a call or text and didn't get to it yet...etc.).

I am not trying to be argumentative, but this type of incident is the biggest risk that is on my mind. I try to be very defensive and assume people don't see me whether I'm on the sidewalk or the road. I'm just not seeing the huge downfall (safety wise) of being on the sidewalk.

I've been commuting for about two weeks now. The only bad experience on the road I personally have had is that coming up to an intersection there was a car to my left and a curb on my right. The driver was looking left to look for cars as he approached the intersection, he was going to make a right on red. We weren't quite to the intersection yet and he started moving to the right and got real close to the curb before making his turn. I had to hit the brakes and fall in behind him.

However, riding on the sidewalk is annoying.

These sorts of accidents are statistically rare. The biggest risk in cycling is at intersections, and that's precisely where sidewalk riding exacerbates things. Vehicles on the same road turning right are more likely to right-hook you, and oncoming vehicles making a left onto the road you're crossing (or driveway) are more likely to left-hook you. When you're riding on the sidewalk, especially at speed, drivers aren't looking for fast moving objects there, and so are more likely to not see you or misjudge your speed if they do see you. Also when changing from sidewalk to road and vice-versa, you should be especially careful. Additionally, many driveways don't have as clear sight-lines as you would think. The only accident I've ever been in was when I was driving... I pulled out of a driveway slowly (I knew it had poor line of sight), but still couldn't stop in time to avoid hitting a cyclist who darted out from behind the bushes at full speed (thankfully she was OK).

Because of these reasons, it's almost always far safer to ride on the road (with few exceptions, but exceptions - for example if the sidewalk has few intersections/driveways and it's a road of 45 or 50mph+, I might start eyeing the sidewalk). If I do ride the sidewalk, I act as a pedestrian, including lower speed.

If you are concerned about rear-end collisions while riding on the road, I highly recommend riding with a mirror (glasses or helmet mount if you're OK with the nerd factor). Also, this video was very helpful for me when first learning to ride in traffic. Doesn't cover everything, but it's a good basic video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

I agree with all this, from an L.A. point of view. Regardless of what the sidewalk haters think, not everyone's town/situation is the same as theirs. Most places here, it's legal to be on the sidewalk as long as you yield to peds, which is really a non-issue. It's sometimes safer or more convenient to just slow down and ride the sidewalk depending on the situation.

+1 It is very situation specific. While there are some good general rules about where it is best to ride and the general rule that I've personally seen work most places is to ride in the road, not on the sidewalk, but there are places and times where the sidewalk is safer and unless someone knows the specific road and have actually ridden on it themselves multiple times they really shouldn't second guess what other people do. As far as the OP is concerned I would encourage him to find some experienced riders and see if he can spend some time riding with them on the roads in question. There are many roads I used to think were dangerous to ride on and I avoided but with experience I found it actually wasn't so dangerous after all. That said, there are a still some places I absolutely will not ride in the road and always use the sidewalk.

imo, cyclist are vehicles! Slower moving, but vehicles never the less. I have ridden on sidewalks, but always felt very uncomfortable. Pedestrians are much slower than a bike and are in danger of being scared or hit by a cyclist. And as stated several time above, being in the street on a bike does make you more visible to cars. It does take some time to get used to riding in traffic, take your time and be aware of your surroundings at ALL times. We all have the right to use the roads, just be respectful and safe.

"By riding on the sidewalk, you feel more in control of your safety"

That's a perfect description of how I feel. I've ridden bicycles for a pretty long time and feel really comfortable on them. But sometimes people in cars are ridiculous. They may not pay attention or drive like idiots or whatever (DUI is big problem here too). I understand that you are more visible in the road than on the sidewalk. But, I normally ride very defensively on the sidewalk and try to identify all places where a car might pull out and not see me, etc.

So, if there is no shoulder/bike lane and the speed limit is 40mph (which means drivers here are going 40-50), you road riding supporters would still just ride the right side of the right lane? This is a big chunk of my commute.

That video was good, but car drivers around here are going to get real pissed if you occupy the whole lane on a 40mph road, even if there is an extra lane to pass. That video seemed great for in town 30mph and below.

I'll probably give this a road riding a shot and see how it goes. I appreciate the debate, everyone.

I ride on both. The street in busier traffic because I want to be noticed, the sidewalks in suburban areas with little pedestrian traffic. I actually like the way going up on curbs feel and riding around light pole obstacles makes it a little more exciting. I'm not sure what the laws are in my city, but I've never had a near accident with a car or pedestrian. More importantly, go with the flow of traffic, sidewalk or street...and if you ride on the street, try to take the lane. It feels like you're annoying drivers but it's better to make them go around you than to have them try to squeeze by you at 40mph.

"By riding on the sidewalk, you feel more in control of your safety"

That's a perfect description of how I feel. I've ridden bicycles for a pretty long time and feel really comfortable on them. But sometimes people in cars are ridiculous. They may not pay attention or drive like idiots or whatever (DUI is big problem here too). I understand that you are more visible in the road than on the sidewalk. But, I normally ride very defensively on the sidewalk and try to identify all places where a car might pull out and not see me, etc.

So, if there is no shoulder/bike lane and the speed limit is 40mph (which means drivers here are going 40-50), you road riding supporters would still just ride the right side of the right lane? This is a big chunk of my commute.

That video was good, but car drivers around here are going to get real pissed if you occupy the whole lane on a 40mph road, even if there is an extra lane to pass. That video seemed great for in town 30mph and below.

I'll probably give this a road riding a shot and see how it goes. I appreciate the debate, everyone.

Yea, you'll generally go slower on sidewalks because you have to be more cautious, but sometimes...just sometimes it feels a lot safer than being on a crack-prostitute, pot hole ridden, crazy drunk driver street. In those situations, I'd rather just go slower and not be constantly on edge. Also, a bike mirror like the Ultralight German Bike Mirror will give you confidence to ride on the road. It's good to see what's right behind you.

I normally use the road. Riding on paths is illegal in the UK unless it's marked as a cycle route. Sometimes, for example, a cycle lane on the road will lead you onto a shared footpath/cycle path. These can be useful for bypassing a busy junction or taking a shortcut. You don't have to use cycle paths where provided though, and if pedestrian traffic is high you'd be better off on the road. The road is generally safer than the path as long as you ride predictably, on the correct side of the road (with the flow of traffic, not against).

If you ride on the road and it's wide enough for cars to pass you, ride towards the side of the road- don't hug the curb, sit in the outer tyre track as a general guide.) If the road narrows so that a car can't pass you in the same lane, claim the lane and make them overtake you as they would a car. It may cause some annoyance but that's a given with any slower-moving vehicle, whether it's a cyclist, horse and cart or a farm tractor.

I only ride on the sidewalk in extremely rare situations, and I generally feel that it's more dangerous than being in the road. I spend 99%+ of my time in the road, to the left of the white line.

The more you ride, the more comfortable you will be in the road. As I spent more time on the bike I realized that cars actually gave me more room if I moved left in the road, away from the edge. It forces them to make a conscious pass instead of just squeezing by. I generally stay about a foot to the left of the white line. Others ride in the center of the lane, but I have my reasons for not doing so.

Been commuting for a month now...
I did feel very uncomfortable on the street at first but the more I ride and more attentive I am the more I feel comfortable on the side of the road, plus I use the bike lanes wherever I find them.
I picked up a helmet mounted rear view mirror and it made me feel alot more comfortable on the road.
I hop up on the sidewalk when I break or hydrate.

Also, I have learned to stay away from certain busy roads if possible.

There are a couple of places where I use the sidewalk. I'm a slow climber and there are a couple of hills I have to climb on a regular basis where one road is 30 mph and the other one is 50 mph. Neither have shoulders and both are fairly busy. I am not, repeat not, going to take the lane on those roads when I'm going 5 mph. It may be legal for me to take the lane but it is not courteous, which is a big part of bikes and cars getting along with each other.

There are a couple of places where I use the sidewalk. I'm a slow climber and there are a couple of hills I have to climb on a regular basis where one road is 30 mph and the other one is 50 mph. Neither have shoulders and both are fairly busy. I am not, repeat not, going to take the lane on those roads when I'm going 5 mph. It may be legal for me to take the lane but it is not courteous, which is a big part of bikes and cars getting along with each other.

Very reasonable. When sidewalk cycling is unsafe its because its the wrong sidewalk or the rider is making it unsafe. There are sidewalks that are more like MUPs except with little or no traffic of any kind. Such a sidewalk can be a safe haven compared to a street full of impatient rush hour 50 mph drivers. When I use such a sidewalk I check for cars exiting parking areas and I look over my shoulder into the street before crossing a driveway. I cover the brakes. If there is a car in the road close enough and slow enough to turn in -- without or with turn signals -- I stop. At crosswalks I stay on the bike, but I basically behave as a pedestrian. I yield to occasional foot traffic.

The blanket statement that sidewalk riding is inherently far more dangerous than riding in the street is nonsense because it doesn't allow for what kind of sidewalk, what kind of street, what kind of rider.

Its probably safe to say that a high percentage of sidewalk riders are NOT experienced or safety conscious and skew the statistics flying through crosswalks without looking around, not checking out traffic that might be entering/exiting a parking garage, etc. etc.

Don in Austin

There may be some sidewalks that work for bicycling, whether by design or by accident, but those sidewalks are rare exceptions.

And, what about where there are no sidewalks?

I'm looking at the studies that people use to claim that riding on the sidewalk is less safe, and find it kind of interesting. According to the study cited most often, for all riders, riding on the sidewalk with traffic is actually safer than riding in the street!

For all riders in all conditions, riding on the sidewalk is 1.8 times "more dangerous".. but for all riders, riding with the flow of traffic on the sidewalk, it's 0.9 times more dangerous.. which means it's safer to ride on the sidewalk with traffic than on the street with traffic. When broken down by children vs adults, riding on the sidewalk with the flow of traffic was just barely more dangerous than riding in the street for either group.

overall, many fewer accidents occur on the sidewalk. Per mile traveled on a sidewalk, the risk is greater, but overall the amount of sidewalk accidents is still very low. the amount of serious accidents on a bicycle in general is very low. the most common accident reported in the study was a simple fall, which accounts for over 60% of crashes. 14% were collisions with fixed objects. 11% were collisions with vehicles.

I know that if i were going to be involved in an accident, i'd much rather it be on the sidewalk.. a crash in the roadway is more likely to involve vehicles at high speeds. Crashes on sidewalks are more likely to involve a pedestrian or a fixed object.. if i'm going to crash into something, i'd rather it be a soft pedestrian, not a 3 ton SUV :lol:

Sidewalk studies:
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Moritz2.htm
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/riskfactors.htm



so, what i want to know is: is it safer to ride your bike on the sidewalk, or to drive your car on the road? :lol:

Perfect thread for me since I just a Trek 7.1 FX today. I took it out for a ride in my neighbor for an hour on both the street and the sidewalk. I felt more safe on the sidewalk but it was a very rough ride, the road was a whole lot smoother but for some reason I kept trying to look behind me for incoming vehicles. Common sense would tell me not to do that and keep my eyes in front of me at all times.

Anyway, I'm excited to become a commuter. I'll make it official this Monday when I take my bike to work.

Frantik,

Thanks for the info from the study. The hitting a soft pedestrian or light pole vs the SUV dilemma articulated my concerns perfectly.

Steve's point on being courteous is excellent... "It may be legal for me to take the lane but it is not courteous, which is a big part of bikes and cars getting along with each other." When you are going to be moving significantly slower than car traffic, it seems silly to take up the whole lane.

Maybe I can learn to grab on the back of a car's spoiler and get towed to school.

I'm looking at the studies that people use to claim that riding on the sidewalk is less safe, and find it kind of interesting. According to the study cited most often, for all riders, riding on the sidewalk with traffic is actually safer than riding in the street!...etc...

Well, what you say makes sense.. but that's only if you're riding slow on the sidewalk. Most of the time, I want to ride fast, as close to the speed of traffic as possible. That's not happening on the sidewalk. Before when I agreed with you, it was because you'd mentioned 'there are times to use the sidewalk and and there are times to use the road' or something to that effect.. this new post seems like you're for 'all sidewalk', which I couldn't agree with since the sidewalk can be way more dangerous in certain situations.. i'm confused..

this new post seems like you're for 'all sidewalk', which I couldn't agree with since the sidewalk can be way more dangerous in certain situations.. i'm confused..

my most recent post was simply an examination of the studies commonly used to back up claims that the sidewalk riding is significantly more dangerous than road riding.

looking at the numbers, it seems to me that it is possible to ride on the sidewalk safely, and that the dangers of riding on the sidewalk compared to the street are somewhat exaggerated. Much of the danger can be reduced simply by riding in the direction of traffic. And even if the risk is 2x as bad, the risk of being in any kind of accident on a bike is pretty low.

I'm definitely not advocating for all-sidewalk riding, just for people to look at the studies and make their own decisions. Of course also make your decision based on the local laws :)

I'm new to the commuting scene. You guys riding on the road or sidewalk? The road is way smoother, but I don't want my face to get way smoother.

Some of the roads in my town have bike lanes and some don't. An EMT friend of mine always tells me stories of cars veering into bike lanes and taking out bikers. But, riding on the sidewalk is rough and annoying.

Lately I've been doing a bit of both. I ride on the road in my small neighborhood, on the sidewalk on the big roads and then hop onto the road to cross the street when there is a gap in the cars or if something is blocking the sidewalk.

What to do?

Honest to Pete I hate it when well intentioned ignoramuses like this offer completely blown out of proportion opinions. They're born from fear of the different or unknown. Your friend is a stupid ***. I've been cycle-commuting year-round for over twenty years and have never even come close to being hit. There have been situations that could have been close, but keeping one's head on a swivel and maintaining concentration is 80% of the fun of cycle-commuting in high traffic. Anticipation is a 6th sense that developes over time. Fear will cripple you. Statistically one has a much higher chance of dying in a plane crash than from a cycling/auto accident. For crying out loud point, take the lane when you have to and tell your friend to mind his/her own business!

Sorry, didn't mean to rant. It's just that I've heard crap like this alot and it really chaps my behind to see someone get themselves crushed by stupid advice.

"By riding on the sidewalk, you feel more in control of your safety"

That's a perfect description of how I feel. I've ridden bicycles for a pretty long time and feel really comfortable on them. But sometimes people in cars are ridiculous. They may not pay attention or drive like idiots or whatever (DUI is big problem here too). I understand that you are more visible in the road than on the sidewalk. But, I normally ride very defensively on the sidewalk and try to identify all places where a car might pull out and not see me, etc.

So, if there is no shoulder/bike lane and the speed limit is 40mph (which means drivers here are going 40-50), you road riding supporters would still just ride the right side of the right lane? This is a big chunk of my commute.

That video was good, but car drivers around here are going to get real pissed if you occupy the whole lane on a 40mph road, even if there is an extra lane to pass. That video seemed great for in town 30mph and below.

I'll probably give this a road riding a shot and see how it goes. I appreciate the debate, everyone.

Drivers do dumb things. But the more visible you are, the safer you are. That means being in the streets. If you are crossing side street, parking lot or driveway, drivers won't see you, no matter how "safe and in control" you feel. If you really want to be safe and take control, ride in the road in an assertive fashion and make yourself visible, or stop and look before crossing every side street and parking lot. And at that point, you may as well walk.

Honest to Pete I hate it when well intentioned ignoramuses like this offer completely blown out of proportion opinions. They're born from fear of the different or unknown. Your friend is a stupid ***. I've been cycle-commuting year-round for over twenty years and have never even come close to being hit. There have been situations that could have been close, but keeping one's head on a swivel and maintaining concentration is 80% of the fun of cycle-commuting in high traffic. Anticipation is a 6th sense that developes over time. Fear will cripple you. Statistically one has a much higher chance of dying in a plane crash than from a cycling/auto accident. For crying out loud point, take the lane when you have to and tell your friend to mind his/her own business!

Sorry, didn't mean to rant. It's just that I've heard crap like this alot and it really chaps my behind to see someone get themselves crushed by stupid advice.

Couple things to think about...

You are ONE cyclist. Simply because you haven't had a bad experience is not worth very much in the grand scheme. I'll agree that issues get blown out of proportion by the media or sad stories. But someone who has the job of responding to bicycle accidents MIGHT have some useful knowledge. If such a person were being honest, it is information to be considered, albeit not the ONLY thing to be considered.

Onto your airplane comparison. Your chances of dying in a plane are actually zero if you never ride in a plane. STATISTICALLY more people probably fly than ride bikes. So that comparison doesn't offer much. These silly statistical comparisons are based on numbers of deaths that occur in a given period. But when being analytical, we can realize that these numbers are not very important to us. If very few people actually ride bicycles, naturally the number of deaths will be low (relatively). If lots of people fly in planes, naturally the number of deaths will be high (relatively). If you are one of the people riding bikes, don't concern yourself with statistics that are including people who do not ride bikes. People who don't ride bikes have a zero chance of getting killed while riding a bike, but those are people that are being included in your comparison.

I am not trying to be argumentative, rather attempting to educate myself and others.

Additionally, I am not so concerned with general fear. Stats for motorcycles are bad and I ride and race motorcycles. I've done bungee jumping and this and that. None of this is to seem cool or tough. The point of this is to understand the best way to stay alive while commuting by bike, which we all love. I'm not set against road riding, and I stated that I would start giving it a try. But we should attempt to be persuaded by truth and facts and not mere statistical facades or anecdotal experiences.

Ultimately what I have gathered from this debate is that there are probably more risks riding on the sidewalks (obstacles, pedestrians, cars pulling out) than on the road. However, what I am trying to consider is if the risks of riding on the road (while perhaps less in number) might carry more sever possible consequences. Example: If you hit a pedestrian you might both be hurt and the walker will probably be mad. And if you do this ten times it will be really annoying but you'll be alive. And even hitting or getting hit by a car while riding on the sidewalk would suck, but I still imagine it wont be incredible sever. But if you get hit by a car while riding on the road it could be worse even if it only happens once.

I haven't come to a clear conclusion, just working through it.

for some reason I kept trying to look behind me for incoming vehicles. Common sense would tell me not to do that and keep my eyes in front of me at all times.

Anyway, I'm excited to become a commuter.

Congrats, and before the weekend's out install a mirror (http://www.universalcycles.com/search.php?q=mirror). It makes a huge difference. :thumb:

As far as the whole sidewalk vs. non-sidewalk thing, I ride the road 99% of the time, and in exceptional circumstances (0 shoulder space with heavy, fast traffic on a road with no major commercial businesses) will ride on a sidewalk - only for as long as necessary, and at a much slower speed than I'd ride on the road. This is pretty rare.

I think the sidewalk danger thing people are trying to say is that, if you get hit while sidewalk commuting, it's while crossing a street from walkway to walkway, and during that time the car is going fast enough to do some damage. You're probably not gonna be involved in a 5 mph pedestrian/you accident.

It boils down to this: If you're on the sidewalk, act like a pedestrian. Go slow. Stop at all intersections and look. If you're on the road, act like a vehicle. Obey road signs and move with the cars. Do what works for you.

So, if there is no shoulder/bike lane and the speed limit is 40mph (which means drivers here are going 40-50), you road riding supporters would still just ride the right side of the right lane? This is a big chunk of my commute.

Actually, I'd probably be in the middle of the right lane, unless the lane is wide enough to share safely. FWIW, all roads I commute on have a speed limit of 40mph, except for one small segment that's 35mph. They all have bike lanes now, but they didn't up until last year, so I'm pretty experienced riding in 40mph traffic.

Honestly, while it's uncomfortable at first, it doesn't take long to get used to. (Depending on your state laws, blah, blah, blah) You are driving a vehicle, just like anyone else. Will some people get pissed? Absolutely. But FWIW, I've had very few real problems. Most people, while probably annoyed, never actually honk and instead go around me safely. I think while it feels more safe riding on the sidewalk, it's a false sense of security - you are statistically putting yourself at higher risk than riding on the road.

Think of it this way: if you ride in the road, you may piss off some drivers, but it's pretty unlikely they plain won't see you. All except a true nutjob aren't going to hit you on purpose - aside from being sociopathic, it's a pain in their ass (insurance, court, money, etc). OTOH, on the sidewalk, a car is far less likely to see you, especially at an intersection, which is where most accidents occur.

Now, I'm not saying you can't safely ride on the sidewalk, or that in your situation it isn't the best choice - it may be, you know your roads better than I do. I'm just saying that, especially as one not used to riding in traffic, you may be confusing your uncomfort with it being unsafe (it was the same for me). Just something to keep in mind.


That video was good, but car drivers around here are going to get real pissed if you occupy the whole lane on a 40mph road, even if there is an extra lane to pass. That video seemed great for in town 30mph and below.

You'd be surprised. I ride similar roads, and few people give me guff. You will get honked at sometimes, and may get yelled at, but that's not necessarily unsafe. They see you, after all! :D

(Really, anymore, I get honked at or yelled at maybe once a month... some people get it worse, some people get it less. YMMV.)


I'll probably give this a road riding a shot and see how it goes. I appreciate the debate, everyone.

Best of luck either way. :)

Frantik,

Thanks for the info from the study. The hitting a soft pedestrian or light pole vs the SUV dilemma articulated my concerns perfectly.

Steve's point on being courteous is excellent... "It may be legal for me to take the lane but it is not courteous, which is a big part of bikes and cars getting along with each other." When you are going to be moving significantly slower than car traffic, it seems silly to take up the whole lane.

Maybe I can learn to grab on the back of a car's spoiler and get towed to school.

You can still be courteous while "driving your bike". In a situation where I need to take the lane, especially when there is only a single lane, I look over my shoulder (I've seen them in my mirror already, but it lets them know I see them), and move right when it's safe to pass, sometimes waving them by. You can still share the road while riding on it! :)

Thanks for the insight, Sudo.

i'm certainly confused that the OP comes asking for experiences, then all of the sudden becomes some statistic expert (not knowing about normalizing). especially since he/she cited ONE article about ONE cyclist who got hit.

here is my experience, and i've been cycling for 17 years. ride in the road. i do, and i take the lane. drivers can get pissed and yell as much as they want, i just give them a smile and wave. one thing i'm surprised that hasn't come up yet is the issue of route selection and time. I ride on all roads that are "official" bike routes in my city. I also leave early enough in the morning to get me back on the road before 5pm (although, I sometimes get hung up at work and leave at 5pm). I should point out, this isn't the safest route option to me. the city built this nice MUP straight into downtown and it drops me off a block from my house. but when i consider there are 30 something stop signs i would have to stop at (they put a stop sign every block), my time, and marginal additional risk, it is hardly worth it. plus, my friend lives off of the same MUP and i took it to visit him the other day. my closest call getting hit in two years of riding a bicycle in houston happened on that MUP, at an intersection....

do what you are comfortable doing. as you gain skills and more confidence, you should be more comfortable riding on more and more roads.

These sorts of accidents are statistically rare. The biggest risk in cycling is at intersections, and that's precisely where sidewalk riding exacerbates things. Vehicles on the same road turning right are more likely to right-hook you, and oncoming vehicles making a left onto the road you're crossing (or driveway) are more likely to left-hook you. When you're riding on the sidewalk, especially at speed, drivers aren't looking for fast moving objects there, and so are more likely to not see you or misjudge your speed if they do see you. Also when changing from sidewalk to road and vice-versa, you should be especially careful. Additionally, many driveways don't have as clear sight-lines as you would think. The only accident I've ever been in was when I was driving... I pulled out of a driveway slowly (I knew it had poor line of sight), but still couldn't stop in time to avoid hitting a cyclist who darted out from behind the bushes at full speed (thankfully she was OK).

Because of these reasons, it's almost always far safer to ride on the road (with few exceptions, but exceptions - for example if the sidewalk has few intersections/driveways and it's a road of 45 or 50mph+, I might start eyeing the sidewalk). If I do ride the sidewalk, I act as a pedestrian, including lower speed.

If you are concerned about rear-end collisions while riding on the road, I highly recommend riding with a mirror (glasses or helmet mount if you're OK with the nerd factor). Also, this video was very helpful for me when first learning to ride in traffic. Doesn't cover everything, but it's a good basic video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

+1 ^^^All of dis^^^

i'm certainly confused that the OP comes asking for experiences, then all of the sudden becomes some statistic expert (not knowing about normalizing). especially since he/she cited ONE article about ONE cyclist who got hit.



Sorry, didn't mean to frustrate you. I cited one article because I think that it raises an issue that is worth considering. I didn't bring up the article to suggest that it is a regular happening or that it should be the only thing considered. I am interested in hearing from those who have a great deal of experience, however, to suggest that riding in the road is the best choice simply because one cyclist has not had a bad experience would seem foolish. Additionally, riding in the road may actually be the best choice, but not simply because one person hasn't had an accident. To make the best decisions I think we must take into as much into account as we can. And we certainly shouldn't call someone an a** just because we have had a certain experience. There are smokers that live till 90, but to make the best choice about smoking we should take into account everything we can, not just go on that one case.

Normalization was exactly the issue I was trying to raise. Perhaps I did not articulate my point clearly enough and you could do so better. Or maybe I had the wrong impression of the types of statistics being used.

I am very interested in what you mentioned about "official" bike routes. Do you know how I might be able to find out the official bike routes in my city?