Riding on sidewalk revisited
 

...is something that's always been frown upon, at least around here. Cars don't see you crossing a road. There are pedestrians, as well as many other hazards that make it more dangerous than on the road. However, there are times when it is a way better option than staying on the road.

For example, today I had a workshop downtown after work which meant I'd be riding home after dark, during the tail end of rush hour. I tried to stay on the secondary roads and side streets, but at some point I had to take a major artery, even if it was just for a few km. I had no choice. A stiff headwind and net uphill made it difficult to maintain even 10 mph, and on top of this I was on a couple of major roads where the posted speed limit was 60 km/h, and cars at this point zipping by at 70-80 km/h. I decided it was safer and less stressful to ride on the sidewalk. This stretch had very few side street crossings and virtually no pedestrians. And though there were some icy patches my studded tires took care of them with no problems. I just didn't feel safe being on these two roads in the dark with cars. I would have done it during the day, but even ample lighting I still didn't feel comfortable doing it.

I don't think I even consider doing it because of all the discussions I've read and participated in regarding the hazards of riding on the sidewalk. But having done it and feeling good about it I won't hesitate to do so if the situation warrants it.

You will get no hate from me. I ride a sidewalk where the rode is 45 mph (72.4 kph) and two lanes on each side. No one walks on the side walk, and if they did, I would give them the right of way. When it comes to crossing roads and drive ways, it is my responsibility to be hyper vigilant. You do what is right for you and enjoy the ride.

No hate here, I do the same. I don't worry too much about internet haters either.

There is a stretch on my commute where I salmon the sidewalk. At the top of a hill, transitioning from 25 mph to 40mph but, where cars regularly go 50mph because it leads into a country road, there is a left hand turn that I make as you crest the hill but the road widens to allow cars to pass other cars making the same left hand turn.

So I have to cross four lanes of speeding traffic with no distinct traffic lines, let alone bike lane, after being hot and tired from the climb to make my turn. Much easier, and safer, to just cross the street and salmon the sidewalk at the bottom of the hill.

Never let online bullies/trolls psyche you into silence, and most of all into risking your life.

When I first started riding not long ago, and after suffering near life ending, and crippling injuries, after having been hit and run over by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, which left me crippled and living in a convalescent hospital for some time. I was sure I'd be spending as many of my ride miles as possible on the sidewalk. Once I was in better shape, and was finally able to begin riding a bit, I quickly realized how many problems come along with trying to ride on sidewalks most of the time. So, after putting in some miles riding, I definitely prefer the street for a lot of reasons everyone already knows, but of course I "will" get up on the sidewalk if the situation I'm in makes that the safer option.

Lights after dark?

Just be vigilant around side streets and driveways.

I'll ride on most roads, including arterials (near right, and sometimes left curb), and cars can usually figure out how to pass.

However, there is one grocery store exit where I have to make a left turn and for some reason traffic is always a mess. There is a sidewalk where I don't think I've ever seen a single pedestrian, and if I ride "salmon" on the sidewalk a couple of driveways down, I can usually get across pretty easily.

Anyway... I usually avoid sidewalks, but it can be situational. I do like MUPS.

On a sidewalk YOU have control over your safety. On the road your safety depends on DRIVERS paying attention and looking out for you.

Nearly 50% of cyclist fatalities are cyclists being hit from behind by an errant or inattentive driver.

Ride where you feel safest! I will take sidewalks when needed. Full boy racer kit, lights and on full-fledged road bike!

I don't care what snobs think.

Riding on sidewalk revisited

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mcours2006 (Post 19381283)

...is something that's always been frowned upon, at least around here. Cars don't see you crossing a road. There arepedestrians, as well as many other hazards that make it more dangerous than onthe road. However, there are times when it is a way better option than staying on the road...

I don't think I even consider doing it because of all the discussions I've read and participated in regarding the hazards of riding on the sidewalk. But having done it and feeling good about it I won't hesitate to do so if the situation warrants it.

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On a previous visit to the topic of sidewalk riding, I posted:

:foo:

Yesterday's route/ride home was an anomaly. There are long stretches on my daily route that are devoid of driveways, parking lots, side streets where it is absolute safe to ride. Just so happens that there are bike lanes here as well so I've never felt like it was necessary to ride on the sidewalk. Additionally, I don't know the condition of the surface whereas I am quite familiar with the road. That unpredictability is a hazard as well.

No hate from me either. I have no fear of riding in streets most of the time, but I usually use a sidewalk to connect between two cycling paths in my commute home. I think the key is respect, the sidewalk is pedestrian's territory so we -cyclists- have to pay attention. Stay safe!

A sidewalk is just a MUP you haven't met yet...or something like that. There are a few sections of my commute routes that involve sidewalks; better safe than sorry. As long as you slow down and yield to pedestrians.

When drivers are ranting about cyclists, one of the grievances that comes up is that we switch to being "pedestrians" when it suits us. Sidewalks and crosswalks. I'm not sure why that bothers them, but if I'm on a sidewalk that's usually exactly the reason. Traffic is heavy or blocked and they're not leaving me room, I'll switch to the sidewalk and roll by the whole mess.

Another reason is when the Sun is low and directly on the road - I categorically refuse to ride into it with traffic.

And finally just the shortcut when it's too much trouble to cross the traffic, who honestly never does that?

Depending on the situation - I have nothing against the sidewalk. I will gladly use it when situations dictate. I was riding on the sidewalk yesterday to just get down one really annoying stretch on the way home and there was a pedestrian there that I didn't want to sneak up on (I haven't put a bell on the new to me bike I have been riding this week) so I switched to the road until I passed. Generally I am far more cautious on the sidewalk and go a lot slower. I go even slower when passing (MUP or sidewalk). It is great to have the option to use whatever suits us (and the option to annoy drivers?). Any driver that is perturbed would be upset by anything though.

On the rare occasions I ride on a sidewalk, I ride really slowly to show pedestrians that I'm not a threat. As long as I'm predictable, I see no harm.

Another "no hate" vote here.
Like with everything else in life there's times and places where it's appropriate, or inappropriate. Those who claim it should never be done, or that it's too dangerous are only expressing their personal limitations in judgment, or self control.

I've got a strong preference for riding on streets and roads, but then I wasn't riding your bike.


Funny thing around here is joggers are starting to take to the streets. Some bogus thing about asphalt is softer than concrete sidewalks is what I've heard. When there's 3-4 joggers abreast in the street, can anyone complain if SUV drivers take to the sidewalks?

I'm a runner too and I really don't understand this, especially when there is a sidewalk. I'd much prefer the safety of a segregated path to salmoning mere feet from cars, and sometimes in the dark, with dark clothing. To me this is just plain stupidity, whether or not asphalt is better for your knees. That is debatable.

If, on the other hand, there is no sidewalk and I have to run on the shoulder, then I will run against traffic. But I'll try to avoid roads like that.

This is probably the scariest thing for a cyclecommuter. I once talked to a guy in Lenonia on my way to work. Jack and I were at a stop light at a major intersection. We were chatting about something and this guy on the sidewalk next to us chimes in. He told us about a bad accident he had getting hit from behind. The lady was an "exotic dancer" and was not paying attention to the road ahead (I forget why). She hit this guy and he suffered serious back injuries and has to wear a back brace for the rest of his life. It was a strange and sad story but makes you realize just how good we have it to be able to enjoy riding...

@mcours2006, I'm with you on the sidewalk use when needed. I have done (and will continue to) ride on the sidewalk when I do the full ride to home from work. There is a heavy traffic area about two blocks on Polifly Ave in Hackensack where it goes under Route 80. Many cars (and some trucks) are coming off of Route 80 and turn onto this section. I had an accident last fall there. The lady was squeezing me into the curb so I knocked on her car window. She then stops abruptly and I end up taking her passenger mirror off with my handlebar. Then I end up on the sidewalk and smacked my right knee. So since then I just ride on the sidewalk there and get back onto the road after the Route 80 bridge. Its not worth it to tangle with the heavy traffic there. Do what feels right and is safe even if its illegal to ride on the sidewalk. I'm not sure if that's the case for Hackensack, NJ. But its defiantely illegal in NYC and I try to keep off unless the road is totally blocked or someone redirects me (cop, firefighter, construction worker, etc).

FYA, I came across this complete list of grievances, including the above:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bicyclelove (Post 17500339)

… Running a red light gives us (cyclists) abad rap. Motorists see us as just scofflaws and don't respect our right to be on the road because of that. This is really the biggest thing I hearfrom drivers. Running red lights just makes us all look bad.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spare_wheel (Post 17505575)

You are forgetting a few:

1. Bikers/cyclists are entitled (or think they are better than us.)
2. Bikers/cyclists don't pay for bike lanes/roads.
3. Bikers/cyclists ride in the middle of the lane (and should ride on the sidewalk/or on a different road/or not at all)).
4. Bikers/cyclists ride too slowly (and should ride on the sidewalk/or on a different road/or not at all).
5. Bikers/cyclists ride on the sidewalk and should ride in the bike lane (or on a different road/or not at all).
6. Bikers/cyclists roll stop signs.
7. Bikers/cyclists wear dark clothing/lycra/chartreuse/tights.
8. Bikers/cyclists don't wear helmets.
9. Bikers/cyclists don't use lights.

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I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen a bicycle on the main streets in the area where I've lived for seven years. There are absolutely no provisions for bicycles on most of them and they just wide enough for four-lane traffic to move at 40-50 mph (speed limit...not actual speed people are driving!). The only time I will ride on the streets is at the crack of dawn on the weekend, when all of the sensible people are still in bed.

Yeah - no sidewalk hate from me either.

I don't care if pedestrians don't like it (though on the few occasions i ride the side walk i do slow down and remain hyper vigilant).

I am going to travel where it's safest for me. And sometimes it's not on the road/street. Heavy traffic areas on fast-moving roads, boulevards, whatever are not always safe. If i were struck by some 4,000 lb behemoth and the driver was technically wrong i'm still in the hospital and owning a destroyed bicycle.

No thanks. I'll risk hurting some snowflakes feelers 1st.

Yeah. Come to Philly and try to ride on a sidewalk crowded with hundreds of people. That's why it's not allowed at all in business districts and not allowed anywhere by anyone over the age of 11. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been forced to get out of the way of idiots riding on sidewalks. One young woman almost hit my wheelchair bound mother and myself. She said it was legal to ride on the sidewalk because there was no bike lane. I told her that if she had gone to law school she should ask for her tuition back. And things have only gotten worse since the bike share program arrived a few years ago. I am just hoping I don't lose my cool, resulting in someone losing their teeth.


Keep it in Podunk, IA.