Sounds like riding on the sidewalk was a totally reasonable course of action to take. I'm normally one for the "boldly take the lane" position, but you've got to use common sense. F'rex, as much as I rail against salmon there's a ~30-40 yd section of highway right next to my apartment where I salmon in order to get to another road. If I tried to get to it, I would have to cross a busy 5-lane highway with no signals or crosswalks or lights twice in that same 40 yard space. So I turn my vigilance up to 11 and remain aware that *I'm* the one who is doing something unexpected, and act accordingly so I don't cause other road users inconvenience or confusion.