RapidRobert

I think if a cyclist is riding on a sidewalk, they're begging to get hit. Old or young. Left side or right side. When crossing in a crosswalk, if they're not walking they're begging to get hit. It's unfair to drivers to accommodate such foolish behavior when they're on a highly controlled ramp leading to an acceleration lane, and watching for the cars and trucks at speed to merge safely. One child getting hurt doesn't mean a law must be passed or someone else is at fault.

sunnyvale

I agree sidewalk riding in many (most) situations is much more dangerous. But there are many cases where the rider cannot safely ride in aggressive fast bumper to bumper traffic, and sometimes would be tickets by police at least. Certainly no preteen or tot would ride the traffic lane over the Key Bridge Over the Potomac in DC going to Georgetown where a very wide sidewalk is a bike lane, this appears to the the example or a cross walk crossing in the League of American Bicyclist's instruction on how to drive your bike. Yes there are cases that bikers have to use sidewalks and crosswalks. That is also the case at class III trail crossings.

In California, a pedestrian has the right-away in the crosswalk. A child, 6 year old riding with their parent jogging, has to yield to all traffic, but the same traffic has to yield to their parents. Its a big deal, as aggressive drivers can get off scott free if the clip, or kill a cyclist but not a pedestrain. I know of couple cases now in the south bay, and friends tell me of similar issues in SF. A multi Million dollar bridge had to build over Moffett Blvd for Stevens Creek Trail largely because of this lmit of the law.

The California law should be changes as in the more progressive states, if you are riding (slowly approaching the intersection) and cross like a pedistrain, even mounted on your bike in the crosswalk you have the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.

oddjob2234

You see, the remedy for this is easy, and it is NOT to ride on the sidewalk. If your route is unsafe for riding in the street, you have 2 proper options:

1 - Walk the bike on the sidewalk. This is also very, very clearly the correct way to use crosswalks when on a bike. Riding moves you too quickly, in an area where drivers expect slower moving pedestrians, and invites accidents.

2 - Take an alternate route, which is not unsafe for riding.

The fact that a particular area is unsafe for riding in the mind of the cyclist does not remove their obligation to follow the law and share the road. Their convenience does not trump that of others. Ride in the street, go another way, or walk the bike. That is it, and that is all there is to it.

Dchiefransom

Look up the definition of "vehicle" in the CVC. It specifically does not include bicycles. Riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, as pointed out before, is not disallowed by the CVC. Local municipalities have to pass their own ordnances.

sunnyvale

Where have I heard that misplaced logic before?..... Hmm, OH that is exactly what those that drive cars that do not want bicyclists on the road say, bikes cannot keep up with traffic, etc as above, bikers should stay off the roads. ;-)

oddjob2234

Yes, exactly, and those motorists are equally wrong when they say that. Cyclists belong on the road, unless there is a specific prohibition (e.g. minimum speed freeways). Drivers who complain at them and expect them to get off the road and onto the sidewalk are flat out wrong.