Sidewalk riding is legal in Florida, where the older roads are usually pretty cramped and crowded, especially during the nice winter weather. Newer roadways usually include bike lanes, but they don't seem to ever get cleaned.

Roadies will get out with the cars, but nost commuting is sidewalk for safety. I've seen more than one driver texting with both thumbs and both eyes on the screen. Real easy to drift a foot or two to the right doing that! Our car vs. bike horror newstories seem to come in waves and generally the driver was unlicensed or old enough that their competency is suspect.

Lots of downtown areas have local ordinance to keep bikes off sidewalks out of the way of shoppers and diners, but who would want to ride there, anyway??