Originally Posted by
Maelochs
If the OP is smart enough and skilled enough to ride safely on the sidewalk, and if it is legal in his region .... why not?
I strongly dislike riding on the sidewalk, but I have decades of experience fighting for space at the side of the road with drivers who would swerve, open a door, or throw stuff (back before there were bike lanes and "Share the road" signs, in certain regions, cyclists were always in season.)
If the OP really thinks sidewalk cracks will break the bike, though ......
I suspect in situations where a chunk of concrete is missing (and the rider didn't see it coming) there could be concern. If one wasn't flat knocked off the bike there is always the chance that the tire knocked out of true, or maybe even a spoke or 2 loosening up, which bodes for problems down the road (no pun intended). then, again, I've barely averted some nasty potholes in the road and on the mup/mut.