Originally Posted by
Don in Austin
Sidewalk riding is NOT inherently unsafe in all circumstances -- depends on the sidewalk and it depends on the rider. Sometimes a sidewalk choice is almost like an empty MUP vs. an extremely hostile road. If so, go for it and take necessary precautions.
Don in Austin
Originally Posted by
mikepwagner
That's pretty much my situation most of the time.
I live in the South, where walking is shunned....You can tell by our girths that we are not big walkers down here - there are very, very few pedestrians (at least at the times I am riding).
That and Paula Deen - "just a stick of buttaahhh"
I did my share of sidewalk riding when I just started commuting. Then, as my fitness and speed increased, I found it pretty hairy to blast by at 20 mph even on some sections of MUP. I ride road almost exclusively now, but I do not lose sight of that bikes are very opportunistic vehicles. I will take refuge on a sidewalk if needed, and sacrifice speed. Moreover, I was directed to a sidewalk by a cop when riding through a scene of a very recent accident. He just did not need another thing to keep track of.
Sidewalk riding is hard on a bike too, hitting cracks, water meter well covers, on and off ramps and gutters square on...
SF