What amazes me about this whole debate is the 'absoluteness' of it. Both sides say they're right 100% of the time. The fact is there are times when it's safer to ride on the street and there are times when it's safer to be on the sidewalk. Take the examples I gave. I feel much safer on the sidewalk than in that traffic circle or going up that hill. Now downtown is different. Most times you can't even walk on the sidewalks in Georgetown much less ride a bike. And the traffic is usually clogged up. So riding in the street is the way to go.

Not everyone rides the same roads or deals with the same drivers. Every place is unique.