I would only have changed it in this manner:

You said: "Even if we ignore the legal rights granted by the state, the slight inconvenience that is occasionally experienced by motorists as they wait for a safe place to pass is far less inconvenient, and far safer than if I ride down a sidewalk trying to avoid pedestrians."

I would have said: Even if we ignore the legal rights granted by the state, the slight inconvenience that is occasionally experienced by motorists as they wait for a safe place to pass is far less inconvenient, then the time one waits for an elevator or stoplight."

Even suggesting that it would be more convenient for them if you rode on a sidewalk... doesn't seem like a good idea to me.