In about two weeks I'm going to start commuting to work via bike. I have a pretty straight shot to work (literally 4 turns), and it's a hair over 10 miles. The entire way to the office I've got a normal or wider sidewalk available to me to ride on. In various fits and starts there is a bike lane for about 1/3-1/2 of the total distance. My initial plan was to ride the sidewalk the whole way there (legal in my city), however I got to thinking about going through cross streets.

I've got enough of a problem not getting cutoff or t-bonded from folks turning into or exiting from cross streets in broad day light on my road bike wearing the brightest road clothes I can find. That's when I'm in the bike lane where people know to look. In the early (still dark) morning, is it going to be worse being on the sidewalk where people don't expect me? Should I stick to the right lane (and bike lane when available of course), and just ride like normal, or should I go with the sidewalk and just be extra vigilant at cross streets? Which one will be the safer option? If I do go sidewalk, should I ride with or against the flow of traffic? I can see where facing all oncoming traffic would make spotting people entering or exiting off a course street a lot easier.

Thanks,

-Jenrick