Sidewalk bicycling
12-23-09, 03:06 AM
#676
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question for the road advocates . . . As for biking, I'm all about using the road, and exclusively the road, because . . . well, a bike is a vehicle in my opinion. . . . but my question pertains to this:
As of right now, I rarely get into traffic with it, because, maxed out, it'll go about 15, maaybe 17 if you're really spinning. Cruising is about 12 mph. I've done it before, and it's rather unsettling, especially when you don't have a shoulder to walk on if you had a UPD (unplanned dismount)
What are your thoughts? I usually ride on the sidewalks, in Atlanta, and keep my head looking in all directions. I rarely pass pedestrians where I ride, and most are so engaged on the unicycle that I tend to only get positive feedback.
I do know how dangerous entrances and exits can be, but I just don't see me at a stop light. If I miss my mount once, I could cause some anger, then I have an angry 2000 lb hunk of steel behind me. Granted, If it's downhill or flat, I rarely miss a mount, but with stress, and time, it's bound to happen : <
yes, I usually wear a helmet, I was riding around to show my parents, this was the first time they had seen it in person, so I was just toodling around the basketball courts.
There are many discussions on unicyclist.com pertaining to this, but I'd like to know what the biking community thinks about it : )
(most unicyclist rarely ride on the road)
As of right now, I rarely get into traffic with it, because, maxed out, it'll go about 15, maaybe 17 if you're really spinning. Cruising is about 12 mph. I've done it before, and it's rather unsettling, especially when you don't have a shoulder to walk on if you had a UPD (unplanned dismount)
What are your thoughts? I usually ride on the sidewalks, in Atlanta, and keep my head looking in all directions. I rarely pass pedestrians where I ride, and most are so engaged on the unicycle that I tend to only get positive feedback.
I do know how dangerous entrances and exits can be, but I just don't see me at a stop light. If I miss my mount once, I could cause some anger, then I have an angry 2000 lb hunk of steel behind me. Granted, If it's downhill or flat, I rarely miss a mount, but with stress, and time, it's bound to happen : <
yes, I usually wear a helmet, I was riding around to show my parents, this was the first time they had seen it in person, so I was just toodling around the basketball courts.
There are many discussions on unicyclist.com pertaining to this, but I'd like to know what the biking community thinks about it : )
(most unicyclist rarely ride on the road)
12-23-09, 01:51 PM
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I want it to be cool on the side walks but I don't think it is. I think it presents as much danger as having a cycle on the side walk.
01-20-10, 04:55 PM
#679
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I have to commend my town's municipality for doing its part to put together a cycling plan via bicycle committee. Basically bike routes everywhere. Dedicated MUPs were also built along major hwys. Which is great. However hardly anyone uses the bike paths. Instead i see teenagers, families, old man etc... riding on sidewalks irregardless of right or wrong directions.
In a way I guess that leaves the well kept bike lanes clear for me to ride on. But it is a pity as the city actually has a bicycle committee to consult for city infrastructure planning. They must've forgot about the education component.
Then there's a local bicycle advocacy group lobbying my neighbouring town municipality to allow cyclists to use the sidewalk citing the painted bike lanes on the major roads are too dangerous and that cyclists don't feel confident riding on it. Instead allow them to ride on the sidewalk that bisects the many busy entries/exits of shopping plazas.
In a way I guess that leaves the well kept bike lanes clear for me to ride on. But it is a pity as the city actually has a bicycle committee to consult for city infrastructure planning. They must've forgot about the education component.
Then there's a local bicycle advocacy group lobbying my neighbouring town municipality to allow cyclists to use the sidewalk citing the painted bike lanes on the major roads are too dangerous and that cyclists don't feel confident riding on it. Instead allow them to ride on the sidewalk that bisects the many busy entries/exits of shopping plazas.
02-16-10, 07:16 PM
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i agree. but riding fast on sidewalks the way i do is quite dangerous. i do check for cars at every intersection and it is a pain in the ass. and im afraid of some door opening and hitting me.
and it looks like you commute a long distance on that unicycle because you have that bottle holder
im gonna go out and maybe ride in the road. hope i dont die. it does seem safer than using the sidewalk
and it looks like you commute a long distance on that unicycle because you have that bottle holder
im gonna go out and maybe ride in the road. hope i dont die. it does seem safer than using the sidewalk
Last edited by trogfield; 02-17-10 at 12:15 PM.
03-06-10, 05:39 PM
#681
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Hi I posted this in the UK 'Pavement' Thread....
Just my tuppence (it's probably all been said here already)....
Just my tuppence (it's probably all been said here already)....
I think there's a time and a place for riding on the pavement.
If a cyclist is on it he/she must always give way to the peds. It's the Netherland way of thinking i.e. The ped is 1st, cyclist 2nd (and, even on the road, the car is where it should be, 3rd).
I have no problems cycling on the pavement for three reasons:
1. After four years of commuting I'm sick and fed up with the stress of busy town\city traffic and all the poor driving 'standards' on show there. I used to think it was my right as a cyclist to take my place on these roads but after standing and watching the traffic at Glasgow Cross during rush hour one day I had an epiphany. Drivers have no patience for each other so who am I kidding myself that they're even going to have any sort of consideration for a lowly cyclist.
2. Driving standards are at an all time low. What standards are the Driving 'Standards' Agency and the UK cops trying to uphold exactly? We now have idiots driving two ton planet killers with one hand with the other holding a phone to their ear whilst not paying the blindest bit of attention to what's going on around them. I see the mobi phone law broken more than any other but nobody seems to get prosecuted for it. Also, the lack of patience exhibited by drivers is the root cause of every accident on the roads in the UK. Of this I am convinced. The pavement is a a mecca of safety when you take all this into consideration. It has it's own hazards (peds (obviously), driveways, car doors) but.....
3. The majority of pavements are EMPTY. Every pavement outside a main street, high street, city centre is bereft of people. All the lazy idiots are in their cars for goodness sake!!! Nobody walks anywhere now. The urban\suburban pavement is now ours.
There's a time and a place to be on the road and I am fully confident on it but I just don't need or want the grief or hassle of ludicrously impatient drivers any more. Likewise there's a time and a place to be on a pavement and if one is on a pavement when peds are about there's a way to conduct oneself as a cyclist. In two years of taking the 'Peds first on the pavement' approach I have only ever been hassled twice and I would say that one of those was my fault. Peds first, cyclists second. Give way to a ped and they'll respect you for it.
If you are selective about your pavement of choice for your daily commute, you WILL have a safer journey.
If a cyclist is on it he/she must always give way to the peds. It's the Netherland way of thinking i.e. The ped is 1st, cyclist 2nd (and, even on the road, the car is where it should be, 3rd).
I have no problems cycling on the pavement for three reasons:
1. After four years of commuting I'm sick and fed up with the stress of busy town\city traffic and all the poor driving 'standards' on show there. I used to think it was my right as a cyclist to take my place on these roads but after standing and watching the traffic at Glasgow Cross during rush hour one day I had an epiphany. Drivers have no patience for each other so who am I kidding myself that they're even going to have any sort of consideration for a lowly cyclist.
2. Driving standards are at an all time low. What standards are the Driving 'Standards' Agency and the UK cops trying to uphold exactly? We now have idiots driving two ton planet killers with one hand with the other holding a phone to their ear whilst not paying the blindest bit of attention to what's going on around them. I see the mobi phone law broken more than any other but nobody seems to get prosecuted for it. Also, the lack of patience exhibited by drivers is the root cause of every accident on the roads in the UK. Of this I am convinced. The pavement is a a mecca of safety when you take all this into consideration. It has it's own hazards (peds (obviously), driveways, car doors) but.....
3. The majority of pavements are EMPTY. Every pavement outside a main street, high street, city centre is bereft of people. All the lazy idiots are in their cars for goodness sake!!! Nobody walks anywhere now. The urban\suburban pavement is now ours.
There's a time and a place to be on the road and I am fully confident on it but I just don't need or want the grief or hassle of ludicrously impatient drivers any more. Likewise there's a time and a place to be on a pavement and if one is on a pavement when peds are about there's a way to conduct oneself as a cyclist. In two years of taking the 'Peds first on the pavement' approach I have only ever been hassled twice and I would say that one of those was my fault. Peds first, cyclists second. Give way to a ped and they'll respect you for it.
If you are selective about your pavement of choice for your daily commute, you WILL have a safer journey.
03-15-10, 03:45 PM
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I can't fathom why this thread is so long. For me, it's simple. I ride on the sidewalk when it feels safer. When I ride on the sidewalk, I slow down and act like a pedestrian. I look both ways at intersections and pass people at walking speed. If I startle someone, I apologize. If the sidewalk is so crowded that I can't maintain balance, then I simply get off and walk my bike.
The only problem I see is reckless cyclists who feel entitled to ride over 10mph at all times and aren't willing to slow down to walking speed when around pedestrians or on intersections. Common sense people.
The only problem I see is reckless cyclists who feel entitled to ride over 10mph at all times and aren't willing to slow down to walking speed when around pedestrians or on intersections. Common sense people.
03-16-10, 02:32 PM
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There are reckless cyclists out there in zip code 32825 (Orlando). It annoys me during the time when I walk.. Cyclists don't look out for those who have a disability.
UPDATE: Statement retracted about sidewalk cycling being discouraged due to my visual impairment, except for cyclists not paying attention to or alerting pedestrians very well.) Combine visual and hearing impairment (I'm visual and hearing impaired) and if you're in a sidewalk, you may not be able to get the pedestrians' attention depending on how loud the traffic is.
I'd like to post my comments that I've made in CommuteOrlando.com.
Source: https://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/...ando/#comments
UPDATE: Statement retracted about sidewalk cycling being discouraged due to my visual impairment, except for cyclists not paying attention to or alerting pedestrians very well.) Combine visual and hearing impairment (I'm visual and hearing impaired) and if you're in a sidewalk, you may not be able to get the pedestrians' attention depending on how loud the traffic is.
I'd like to post my comments that I've made in CommuteOrlando.com.
Source: https://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/...ando/#comments
Grayson Peddie says: February 27, 2010 at 5:36 pm
No excuse, I agree. But the problem is, there are cyclists who travel in sidewalks in N. and S. Chickasaw Trail (between East Colonial Drive and Lake Underhill). As a pedestrian, I started to feel like a motorist who’re starting to lose a bit of respect for cyclists in sidewalks. I’m sorry for posting that from the beginning, but the problem is, even if cyclists do give auditory warning, I can barely hear them due to my hearing impairment. My vision is not blurred and I don’t have any kind of diseases that can affect my eye condition, but I do have some trouble seeing incoming cyclists. Even if I do have a cane, cyclists in sidewalks do zoom past me (like going a bit too fast).
About a week ago, when I walk to the grocery store, I do hear a cyclist behind me (via voice) and I move to the right to let them pass. About 2 to 4 seconds later, as soon as I start to walk comfortably in the center of the sidewalk, my left arm was hit by cyclist’s right arm. When this happens, I swivel my left arm up and back down, which made me feel kind of silly, but am I to expect to see cyclists from behind me? It shouldn’t be my fault if I start to walk comfortably in the center of the sidewalk. If I continue to walk in the right of the sidewalk, it just makes me uncomfortable and I could slip my right foot off the sidewalk to the ground, even without falling.
I wish the sidewalks could be wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians without uncomfortably walking too close to the edge of the sidewalk. Of course, I’m not here to compare my arguments to motorists who insist that cyclists must be in the sidewalk, but I’m not like that, because I almost support cyclists riding in sidewalks due to starting to get a bit tired of cyclists’ improper yielding to pedestrians’ right of way. Some pedestrians can be embarrassed.
No excuse, I agree. But the problem is, there are cyclists who travel in sidewalks in N. and S. Chickasaw Trail (between East Colonial Drive and Lake Underhill). As a pedestrian, I started to feel like a motorist who’re starting to lose a bit of respect for cyclists in sidewalks. I’m sorry for posting that from the beginning, but the problem is, even if cyclists do give auditory warning, I can barely hear them due to my hearing impairment. My vision is not blurred and I don’t have any kind of diseases that can affect my eye condition, but I do have some trouble seeing incoming cyclists. Even if I do have a cane, cyclists in sidewalks do zoom past me (like going a bit too fast).
About a week ago, when I walk to the grocery store, I do hear a cyclist behind me (via voice) and I move to the right to let them pass. About 2 to 4 seconds later, as soon as I start to walk comfortably in the center of the sidewalk, my left arm was hit by cyclist’s right arm. When this happens, I swivel my left arm up and back down, which made me feel kind of silly, but am I to expect to see cyclists from behind me? It shouldn’t be my fault if I start to walk comfortably in the center of the sidewalk. If I continue to walk in the right of the sidewalk, it just makes me uncomfortable and I could slip my right foot off the sidewalk to the ground, even without falling.
I wish the sidewalks could be wide enough for cyclists and pedestrians without uncomfortably walking too close to the edge of the sidewalk. Of course, I’m not here to compare my arguments to motorists who insist that cyclists must be in the sidewalk, but I’m not like that, because I almost support cyclists riding in sidewalks due to starting to get a bit tired of cyclists’ improper yielding to pedestrians’ right of way. Some pedestrians can be embarrassed.
Ken says:
February 27, 2010 at 5:49 pm
My experiment is strictly for on road riding. Sidewalks have been found to be so unsafe that we wanted our tests to be done on the road. Orlando doesn’t have too many sidewalks that are wide enough for multi-modal transportation or urban trails that provide enough connectivity to provide direct routes throughout the city. I anticipate our analysis to address these issues. I agree with your observations about conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. That is one of the reasons that sidewalk riding is so discouraged.
February 27, 2010 at 5:49 pm
My experiment is strictly for on road riding. Sidewalks have been found to be so unsafe that we wanted our tests to be done on the road. Orlando doesn’t have too many sidewalks that are wide enough for multi-modal transportation or urban trails that provide enough connectivity to provide direct routes throughout the city. I anticipate our analysis to address these issues. I agree with your observations about conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. That is one of the reasons that sidewalk riding is so discouraged.
Grayson Peddie says:
February 27, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Well, you know, I just got the feeling that I’d make this kind of statement (though I only keep this to myself and not to another cyclists and I know this is unwarranted) “If you’re traveling so fast in the sidewalk and ignore pedestrians, why don’t you ride in the road?” Which I’ve expressed my point about my frustration with cyclists riding in sidewalks (whew, I gotta calm down…) and that I am glad that you’re starting a small project for on road riding. *sigh*
Good luck with your project.
February 27, 2010 at 7:11 pm
Well, you know, I just got the feeling that I’d make this kind of statement (though I only keep this to myself and not to another cyclists and I know this is unwarranted) “If you’re traveling so fast in the sidewalk and ignore pedestrians, why don’t you ride in the road?” Which I’ve expressed my point about my frustration with cyclists riding in sidewalks (whew, I gotta calm down…) and that I am glad that you’re starting a small project for on road riding. *sigh*
Good luck with your project.
Keri says:
February 27, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Grayson, I agree. The way you were treated is no different from a motorist buzzing a cyclist on the road.
Sidewalks are pedestrian space. Period. If a cyclist is riding too fast to yield to a pedestrian and pass RESPECTFULLY, that cyclist should be on the road. There is no excuse for a cyclist to have any sense of entitlement to the sideWALK. They are interlopers there. If you can’t get a pedestrian’s attention, stop, get off your damn bike and walk it past the ped!
February 27, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Grayson, I agree. The way you were treated is no different from a motorist buzzing a cyclist on the road.
Sidewalks are pedestrian space. Period. If a cyclist is riding too fast to yield to a pedestrian and pass RESPECTFULLY, that cyclist should be on the road. There is no excuse for a cyclist to have any sense of entitlement to the sideWALK. They are interlopers there. If you can’t get a pedestrian’s attention, stop, get off your damn bike and walk it past the ped!
Last edited by GraysonPeddie; 06-22-11 at 02:57 PM.
03-16-10, 03:04 PM
#684
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Denver recently passed a very sensible update to their bicycling on sidewalk laws:
IOW, you're free to ride on the sidewalk at a pedestrian speed as long as you're riding just a block to park.
Seems sensible to me.
Sec. 54-573. Speed.
[...]
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk, which is not part of a designated bicycle route, at a speed in excess of six (6) miles per hour.
Sec. 54-576. Riding on sidewalks.
(a) Riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks, whether on public property or private property opened for use by the general public, shall be unlawful except:
(c) Riding electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks shall be unlawful, except as provided for in this section above.
[...]
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle on a sidewalk, which is not part of a designated bicycle route, at a speed in excess of six (6) miles per hour.
Sec. 54-576. Riding on sidewalks.
(a) Riding bicycles or electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks, whether on public property or private property opened for use by the general public, shall be unlawful except:
(1) When the operator or rider thereof is a uniformed city employee or uniformed state employee or uniformed federal employee, which are working as part of their official duties and are riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle or a police officer riding a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle that is a marked or unmarked official police bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle or while engaged in the discharge of his or her official duties; or
(2) When the operator or rider of a bicycle thereof is engaged in the delivery of newspapers;
(3) Where the sidewalk is part of a designated bicycle route; or
(4) When the operator or rider thereof is preparing to dismount and park the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle at a location on the block on which the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is being operated, or the operator has just mounted and has not yet crossed a street or alley.
(b) Bicyclists shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on the sidewalk.(2) When the operator or rider of a bicycle thereof is engaged in the delivery of newspapers;
(3) Where the sidewalk is part of a designated bicycle route; or
(4) When the operator or rider thereof is preparing to dismount and park the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle at a location on the block on which the bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle is being operated, or the operator has just mounted and has not yet crossed a street or alley.
(c) Riding electrical assisted bicycles upon or along sidewalks shall be unlawful, except as provided for in this section above.
Seems sensible to me.
03-26-10, 05:41 PM
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There are reckless cyclists out there in zip code 32825 (Orlando). It annoys me during the time when I walk.. Cyclists don't look out for those who have a disability.
But the bottom line is this: Bicycling in sidewalk is heavily discouraged (in Orlando, at least). Combine visual and hearing impairment (I'm visual and hearing impaired) and if you're in a sidewalk, you may not be able to get the pedestrians' attention depending on how loud the traffic is.
I'd like to post my comments that I've made in CommuteOrlando.com.
Source: https://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/...ando/#comments
But the bottom line is this: Bicycling in sidewalk is heavily discouraged (in Orlando, at least). Combine visual and hearing impairment (I'm visual and hearing impaired) and if you're in a sidewalk, you may not be able to get the pedestrians' attention depending on how loud the traffic is.
I'd like to post my comments that I've made in CommuteOrlando.com.
Source: https://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/...ando/#comments
However, I recognize the inherit dangers of taking the sidewalk and, as such, bike slower near driveways and side road entry-ways to insure that either A. the drivers can see me and react accordingly, or B. I can react in time to not get creamed by an idiot (like the countless amount of people that roll through stop signs, especially when taking right turns). That aside, there have been several times in which I've had people honk at me for using the crosswalk while they were trying to make right turns on green... even though the crossing light was clearly bright and white.
Edit: Also, the reason why wrong-way cycling increases risks is due to the fact that drivers are looking toward incoming traffic to see whether or not they can turn right. They will rarely check ahead on the road. Couple this with the fact that people normally don't pay attention to side-walks in the first place, and you just compound the problem.
03-28-10, 08:26 PM
#686
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I used to take the road to campus when I lived north of UCF down Alafaya, but there is no way in hell that I'm taking University Dr. to school now that I live around University and Dean. There is no bike lane or even a suitable shoulder, and the average Orlando driver is both impatient and oblivious.
However, I recognize the inherit dangers of taking the sidewalk and, as such, bike slower near driveways and side road entry-ways to insure that either A. the drivers can see me and react accordingly, or B. I can react in time to not get creamed by an idiot (like the countless amount of people that roll through stop signs, especially when taking right turns). That aside, there have been several times in which I've had people honk at me for using the crosswalk while they were trying to make right turns on green... even though the crossing light was clearly bright and white.
However, I recognize the inherit dangers of taking the sidewalk and, as such, bike slower near driveways and side road entry-ways to insure that either A. the drivers can see me and react accordingly, or B. I can react in time to not get creamed by an idiot (like the countless amount of people that roll through stop signs, especially when taking right turns). That aside, there have been several times in which I've had people honk at me for using the crosswalk while they were trying to make right turns on green... even though the crossing light was clearly bright and white.
Still even on a massive sidewalk I personally don't feel it's a walker's job to get out of my way, I've got good offroad tires though so personally I feel a lot more responsible just going into the grass around someone without slowing down much and then getting back on later. Or just stopping.
Edit: Also, the reason why wrong-way cycling increases risks is due to the fact that drivers are looking toward incoming traffic to see whether or not they can turn right. They will rarely check ahead on the road. Couple this with the fact that people normally don't pay attention to side-walks in the first place, and you just compound the problem.
[edit]
Does anyone else know why the forum's broken and rendering this page as being EXTREMELY wide?
04-09-10, 08:23 AM
#687
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I ride quite a bit on a college campus, where I work. So it's lot's of sidewalk riding, including 1 and a half short blocks parallel to normal roadways on my daily commute (commute is only .4 miles total). It's so short, and I'm on a MTB, so I don't have much opportunity to get up to speed anyway, plus I'm very cautious in regards to crossing any kind of intersection. I slow down a lot and make sure I'm seen before I cross them. In fact I'm kind of a hard liner when it comes to crossing certain intersections without marked crosswalks, where if there's a car present or there's bad visibility, I'll dismount and walk, always in front of the car, and I'll wait there on the sidewalk until the driver looks in my eyes. It's actually frustrating because many drivers won't pay any attention, pull way into the crosswalk, and drive on without ever giving you a glance. Or maybe they just think I'm some weird guy standing there trying to stare them down for giggles. IDK.
In regards to pedestrians, I always give them a wide berth (often riding in the grass) and/or pass them very slowly. I've always been confident that what I'm doing isn't endangering others. Honestly I never gave it a lot of thought, as using common sense and safety really ought to be just built in to our everyday behaviour, especially while operating a vehicle, but a guy I passed on the sidewalk today said something that gave me pause.
It was a narrow area, so rather than try to pass the guy, who was going the same direction faced away from me, I slowed down to walking speed until we were through the narrow spot. When he heard me slowing down, he did, not really a double take, but sort of jumped and did a quick startled look over his shoulder at me and said "You should be riding on the road". I'd never met the guy, and he was clearly younger than me, so I was a bit taken aback, and I think his statement shows some assumptions on his part, mostly to the effect that I'm not being careful.
But, maybe there's something I don't know. Is there some specific safety issue in regards to bicycles and pedestrians I should be aware of that I'm not already compensating for? After all, the police here ride on the sidewalks, and they've seen me riding around campus and have never said anything to me. I almost think the guys reaction was more out of embarrasment at flinching and trying to save face rather than any real concern when making such a knee-jerk, blanket, and assumption-laden statement.
In regards to pedestrians, I always give them a wide berth (often riding in the grass) and/or pass them very slowly. I've always been confident that what I'm doing isn't endangering others. Honestly I never gave it a lot of thought, as using common sense and safety really ought to be just built in to our everyday behaviour, especially while operating a vehicle, but a guy I passed on the sidewalk today said something that gave me pause.
It was a narrow area, so rather than try to pass the guy, who was going the same direction faced away from me, I slowed down to walking speed until we were through the narrow spot. When he heard me slowing down, he did, not really a double take, but sort of jumped and did a quick startled look over his shoulder at me and said "You should be riding on the road". I'd never met the guy, and he was clearly younger than me, so I was a bit taken aback, and I think his statement shows some assumptions on his part, mostly to the effect that I'm not being careful.
But, maybe there's something I don't know. Is there some specific safety issue in regards to bicycles and pedestrians I should be aware of that I'm not already compensating for? After all, the police here ride on the sidewalks, and they've seen me riding around campus and have never said anything to me. I almost think the guys reaction was more out of embarrasment at flinching and trying to save face rather than any real concern when making such a knee-jerk, blanket, and assumption-laden statement.
04-15-10, 03:16 PM
#688
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I'm lucky. I can ride on the sidewalk without bumping into a lot of traffic. I live in a quiet Florida suburb. Therefore, seeing bikes, trikes, recumbents, walkers and even mobility scooters sharing the same sidewalk is fine. Thank God because there is little leeway given to cyclists on the street. There are very few consistent bike paths. I've seen cyclist zig zag from the sidewalk to the street in a hurry to avoid getting hit.
It's not very crowded on the sidewalk where I live so it works well.
Now when I lived in NYC, Lord, it was a nightmare. The sidewalk was crowded with walkers but that didn't stop some cyclist from zooming among us. Sometimes they cursed out folks (even people in wheelchairs) from not getting out of their way fast enough. God forbid we broke their stride. I hated them.
So it all depends. If the sidewalk isn't heavy with walking traffic and it's legal to ride on the sidewalk in your state, then I don't mind sharing the sidewalk with cyclists.
It's not very crowded on the sidewalk where I live so it works well.
Now when I lived in NYC, Lord, it was a nightmare. The sidewalk was crowded with walkers but that didn't stop some cyclist from zooming among us. Sometimes they cursed out folks (even people in wheelchairs) from not getting out of their way fast enough. God forbid we broke their stride. I hated them.
So it all depends. If the sidewalk isn't heavy with walking traffic and it's legal to ride on the sidewalk in your state, then I don't mind sharing the sidewalk with cyclists.
Last edited by SunnyFlorida; 05-05-10 at 05:07 AM.
04-15-10, 03:39 PM
#689
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That's because most people who live in New York don't have cars. Plus, there are pedestrians and wheelchairs out there who don't expect to see cyclists riding on sideWALKs. Me? I don't expect to see cyclists riding on sidewalks while in Orlando.
04-15-10, 07:33 PM
#690
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So can I assume you're going to bring peace on earth and put a stop to all crime with that magical telepathic connection you seem to have to every pedestrian or are you just going to use it to try and force people to bike in the road or not at all?
04-15-10, 09:13 PM
#691
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Never mind. I'll retract my statements... 
Forget about all my posts in this thread.
Forget about all my posts in this thread.
04-20-10, 03:19 PM
#692
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Blanket statements are rarely a good idea when discussing Sidewalk cycling. it depends entirely on a rider's local conditions and laws.
__________________
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
05-04-10, 04:41 PM
#693
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I'm not an expert either. All I have is my life experience. I have only gotten into two accidents on my bike. Both were when I was a kid and both were while riding on the sidewalk.
05-05-10, 04:07 AM
#694
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Conclusion presumably is that being a kid is hazardous, eh? Perhaps all "kids" need to be banned from bicycling until certified by "experienced" bicyclists as adults.
05-06-10, 06:54 PM
#695
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05-09-10, 02:36 PM
#696
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You all will have to exscuse my ignorance. you all seem like quite the intellegent group. Anyways, I am just now comming back into riding a big bike again. I've been on a 20" bmx bike for the last 2 years. It doesnt matter why....... When I ride the little bike, the max speed I can get out of a 13/9 gearing is 25 at a max sprint. Not ideal for commuting I agree. Because of this, I rode the sidewalk most of the time. Apart from downtown indianapolis, I took the sidewalk. Now that I am on a bigger bike (actually purchased Friday) I am a bit skiddish on the whole ridding in the street. I rode today to work and took the street due to less trafic on sundays but am concerned with trafic the rest of the week. There isnt much road on my way to work and no shoulders, just a lot of curb. I dont envison myself riding the big bike on the sidewalk but just thought i'd share my feelings on it. I'm scared of both now.
Oh and i've been hit twice in the last 4 years once on the road and once on the sidewalk so where do I fit into the statistics?
Oh and i've been hit twice in the last 4 years once on the road and once on the sidewalk so where do I fit into the statistics?
05-09-10, 03:46 PM
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The unlucky part. I'd say if you're having some handling issues stick to places you won't get run over until you're doing better. After that it's entirely up to your preferences. There are VCers and hardcore seperatists and a lot of people inbetween. I never ride on the road due to my location and inability to safely keep with traffic, other people live in areas where they stick to the road all the time.
05-12-10, 05:41 PM
#698
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Mostly sidewalk
I mainly use the sidewalk. The sidewalks here are mostly empty so riding along on my trike is not endangering any pedestrians besides it being legal to do so.
It definitely makes my commuting safe for me. I'm going painfully slow right now, which is a good thing since I have to get reaquainted with the rules of the road besides handling a cumbersome trike. I also have to build up endurance, speed and general comfort level.
However, I doubt if I'll ever be fast enough to keep up with traffic, so the road will never be for me. This would be unsafe for everyone, especially moi.
Although I'm a little limited in my traveling, using the trike for commuting and living car light has helped me regain some level of independence.
In NYC, where I use to live, I used the trains and buses to get around. Here, in this Florida suburb, I use my trike.
It definitely makes my commuting safe for me. I'm going painfully slow right now, which is a good thing since I have to get reaquainted with the rules of the road besides handling a cumbersome trike. I also have to build up endurance, speed and general comfort level.
However, I doubt if I'll ever be fast enough to keep up with traffic, so the road will never be for me. This would be unsafe for everyone, especially moi.
Although I'm a little limited in my traveling, using the trike for commuting and living car light has helped me regain some level of independence.
In NYC, where I use to live, I used the trains and buses to get around. Here, in this Florida suburb, I use my trike.
Last edited by SunnyFlorida; 05-12-10 at 05:46 PM.
05-12-10, 05:45 PM
#699
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I'll use the sidewalk on occasion (going the wrong way down a one way street for a block, etc), but I find on most of my bikes (with 32c tires or thinner), it's a lot slower than dealing with traffic, simply because you're dealing with huge tree-cracks, potholes, and curbs that curl around on driveways and such.
05-15-10, 12:09 AM
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Personally, I don't want to ride fast on the sidewalks, coz I don't want to hit somebody and cause and an accident. If I wanna go fast, I'll just have to use the road.