In the spirit of AC, I find myself sometimes using the sidewalk at these intersections. To get an example of what/where I am doing (this) google map the intersection of "Dodge Park" and "Metro Parkway" in the city of "Sterling Heights" "Michigan". I ride the shoulder on Metro Parkway heading west, the shoulder vanishes into mid air and becomes a right turn only lane at the Michigan Turn-a-round light about 300-400 feet before the intersection. There is a residential entrance shortly before that and I just hop on the sidewalk from there, take the sidewalk all the way to the intersection, and when I get the cross signal I cross the street (Dodge Park) and then hit the shoulder again which magically appears. I do this in order to avoid having to take the lane on a 60mph street with traffic on both sides of me plus rushing commuters behind me honking and reving their engines. I have no problem doing this.