A lot of 'strong' opinions here -- none of which I care about at ALL. "Adult child", "jackass", etc...don't worry, your balls WILL drop someday, and you won't have to be so 'tough'.

I ride a full-suspension MTB for every purpose, because: a.)I have a bad back, can't take the hardtail pounding to my joints; and b.)it's what I like, if I decide to get silly on a ride, I can do so. I ride sidewalks on my 'short' commute route to work, because the adjacent street has been rated the most dangerous mile of road in the city, and because it's LEGAL here. Also, since almost NO ONE in this cesspool of obesity WALKS anywhere, the sidewalks are pretty much deserted. Other, longer (and more fun) routes to work combine sidewalk, street, and MUP; my route on a daily basis depends on available time, weather, and my mood.

There are painfully few bike lanes in this town; they get sparse use. Sometimes, when they do, it's a family or a couple riding against traffic (one is a 2-way street, has a 1-way lane on each side of the road). My kids and I have used every bike lane in the city, and they work pretty well. With nearly 70 miles of well-made MUP, there are lots of alternatives for pleasure riding, but the small handful of bike lanes and sidewalks do offer an alternative for commuting.

I communicated with a PAO with the local cops, and he agreed with my assessment of traffic here: on any given day, 50,000 cars on the road; 30,000 have no clue about bike traffic laws, and 5,000 would not be averse to enforcing their opinions with a front fender.

I don't need to 'stand up and claim my right to the road' to make the testosterone flow.