There are times when I use the sidewalk, but only when no one is using them:

Going down brick roads.
Too much traffic on a narrow road.
Flooded streets.
Construction that is blocking off a street, but not the sidewalk.
When people are walking in the bike lane when the sidewalk is empty.
When a bike lane turns/ends up at a sidewalk.
When crossing a street with car behind waiting (I don't like holding up traffic).

All the above is why I go down side streets to avoid just about everything.