Originally Posted by Blue Order
I think the solution would be to think of bike paths differently-- not all bike paths should be scenic. Some, maybe most, should serve specific transportation functions. In this case, make a high-visibility bike path from the neighborhood to the school-- one where no flasher or thug would dare to lay in wait. For example, a bike path on the right-hand side of the sidewalk, such that the sidewalk is between the street and the bike path. It might mean moving the sidewalk out into the present bike lane (assuming a present bike lane), and placing the bike path between the property lines and the sidewalk. It will definitely mean thinking outside of the box, but if we do think outside of the box, it can be done.
On the other hand, if sidewalks aren't used by pedestrians in suburbia (I was thinking with a "city mindset"), there's no reason kids can't just ride on the sidewalk instead of building a path next to the sidewalk.
Having said that, I really think bike paths should be more like bike highways-- for travel purposes, separated from car traffic, rather than for scenic recreation. That goal would change where bike paths are placed.