Originally Posted by Dave Cutter

Being safe means knowing what is dangerous and why. Riding on the sidewalk is dangerous... particularly at any speed. Cars never seem to look for traffic crossing the driveways and parking lot entries. So... a car will turn in to their home or drug store never expecting a child (or adult) to be there. Pedestrians and small children move along slow enough to avoid the cars and to be easier to spot. But a quick moving silent bicycle will just "appear" in front of a motorist.