I can see how you are more likely to be in an accident on the sidewalk, but are you more likely to be crippled or killed on the road? On my commute, the deserted suburban sidewalk is safer in many areas. Sure I have to watch out for every driveway and side street, and some of them are obstructed view requiring me to slow way down until I can get a look. But I get to mitigate the risk on the sidewalk by altering my speed, my attentiveness, my preparedness to avoid. On the road, I can just hope for the best.

The road is smoother, faster, less obstacles, but is only worth it in areas where the car traffic speed is low (less than 30 mph), at least that is MY commute. Some commuters think my choices are due to a lack of experience, but I notice that 6 roadies are dead in chicagoland already this year, and that was just till mid June! For the rest, I sure hope that reflective triangle on their back emmits some sort of force field to protect them.