Originally Posted by
cg1985
I don't know if this is said, but statistically(we all love these), more cyclists and pedestrians get in accidents when using the Sidewalk/bike path.
Most accidents occur from people turning. Cars don't view sidewalk/Bike path traffic as actual traffic, even if they should, so they pay it no mind when they turn.
When you are on the road most people are more aware, especially if you have a reflector or tail light.
Not all bike paths are the same. Here's a pic of the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis:
Those bridges above are all intersections you'd have to go through if you were riding the same direction on the street. Notice the ramp that takes you to street level. There are some intersections on the Greenway with streets but there are relatively few and they are well marked. Auto traffic is well aware of them.
During commuting hours I've never seen it so busy that it wasn't easy to pass slower moving commuters. On weekends there are times when you do have to be more careful about riding at high speeds.
This is cycling heaven. I don't know why one would take the street when you've got this option.