I'm very selective about riding sidewalks, along my usual routes there's only one area where I ever ride them. It's suburban-bordering-rural, a high speed road, with no pedestrians and next to no curb cuts. Drivers aren't used to and aren't looking for cyclists either. But there are nice, wide sidewalks that are in good condition. If I ever do come across a pedestrian around there I will dismount and walk the bike...I actually walk more than I ride and am annoyed when cyclists don't do so (which is pretty much all the time).