if it's legal and your not being a speed demon around people on foot, then just watch out for washed out sidewalks.
Sounds like you're being curteous. Cool!
The logic and arguments for/against are bound to vary from area to area depending on conditions and legality. Everywhere I've lived so far has laws against riding on the sidewalk...all but where I'm at now will at least tell you not to, and I've seen people ticketed for it in at least one town. That was an eye-opener!
In my current town (Asheville) the bike police are awesome...they actually do the "lead by example" thing...there's one guy who must weigh 250+ (all muscle...looks scary) who does track stands at red lights. I'm rambling. Anyway.
Just goes to show where my experience comes from.