CircleofOne

Where I ride there are almost always bike lanes and nice double-wide sidewalks. Being a novice, I've been a little hesitant to do much riding in the bike lanes because of being uncomfortable around the traffic (they also seem to be particularly careless here), so I've done most of my town riding on the sidewalks. Now that I'm a bit more confident, I've done more bike lane riding, but I like the feel of the sidewalk so much more. It's a much smoother ride, even with all of the extra maneuvering. There's also rarely anyone else out on them. Anyone else like the same?

Staypuft1652

It seems to be especially frowned upon in the cycling community, to ride on the sidewalk. With that said, where I live too, the drivers here seem to also be particularly careless, or dumb/drunk/preoccupied. I rarely ride in the roads, as we dont have any bike lanes that I am aware of, although our city claims to be bike friendly. I just try to use extra caution on the sidewalks for cars entering/exiting driveways, and at intersections. We do have bike paths also, which I do appreciate. So, to each their own, if I am riding improperly, at least I can do so with some amount of confidence that I wont die doing so(in my city).

CircleofOne

I should have noted that the sidewalks are approved by the city for use by cyclers as well. I like the paved trails here (even though there are more walker/joggers), the only problem is they're too short, so I would be riding up and down them all evening to get in my workout.

Too bad you don't have any bike lanes! It was like there where I used to live, and the attitude there towards cycling (especially those in the bright spandex gear) was never friendly.

Staypuft1652

Yes, I too forgot to mention that it is legal to ride a bicycle on all sidewalks here, with the exception of downtown. Every few days or so, I get yelled at by passing rednecks in cars or trucks, rarely anything specific(I should note I myself am technically a redneck, but no offense meant to anyone). The paths here have people with dogs both on or off leash, rollerbladers, skateboards/longboards, joggers, ect. But I still enjoy them, and also like you, wish there was more. Beginning to try to ride more miles on each trip, and have to do loops.

Staypuft1652

As long as you are riding, and enjoy it, and are safe, awesome!

sdmc530

this^^^

here is the opposite the streets are way better for riding than any sidewalks! With the exception of the bike trail though.

Northwestrider

There are not that many side walks where I live, and IMO here the streets are safer than sidewalks as in this area too many cars are using the driveways that cut through the side walks . It's a personal choice , except where sidewalks are closed to bicyclists .

bakes1

Seriously?
Drivers are the same all over the planet.
Ride where you want but please spare me the nonsense.
FWIW I believe that sidewalks are for children and baby strollers.

Willbird

I have not ridden on sidewalks since I was 10.

The same drivers who are in the street pull into driveways that intersect the sidewalks.

mapeiboy

+1 . How are you ever going to learn to ride safely on the road if you ride on the sidewalk all the time . I hate it when I see an adult ride on the sidewalk .

Staypuft1652

Really good way to inform people of their bad habits, demeaning them, equating their riding to children. I don't particularly give a **** some peoples opinions on how/where I choose to ride. And I disagree about drivers being the same everywhere. Lived in 3 states, drivers here are by far the worst. When driving drunk is the equivalent of jaywalking, and a number of different drivers that have killed plural amounts of people each while driving drunk, get a fine. Perhaps that part is the same everywhere. Anywhere I travel is by bicycle, no car. Its not merely for the hell of it. And I have never posted in the A+S sub-forum so I have better things to do than argue with people on the internet.

bakes1

You don't give a **** about opinions on how & where you ride yet you started a thread asking for other like minded riders to confirm your riding habits?
Interesting.
At least we have confirmed through the use of data and scientific evidence that the drivers near you are "by far the worst"...

Staypuft1652

@bakes1 Do you know how to read? I did not start this thread if youd take your head out of where it is currently residing.

jsigone

Here we can't ride on the sidewalks by law, so never done it more than a 100ft to hit a crosswalk button on known long lights.

The road isn't ALL that bad. light you bike up w/ a rear and front blinking light to bee seen. Use bike cameras if you want more insurance. Best insurance will be a added features to your car insurance.

There are MANY places to explore and ride w/o being confined to a sidewalk... In most cases, the road is safer because you are visible to 80% of the drivers, the other 20% are on their phones. But better than being 100% in a drivers bling spot when crossing the st from the sidewalk.

PhotoJoe 

Ok folks. Enough with the hostilities. This isn't a C/A topic, so if you would like to continue the conversation, please do it in Adcocacy & Safety. Thanks.

/closed