Sidewalks
02-17-20, 09:53 PM
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I will switch onto a sidewalk when traffic is heavy and there are no pedestrians. This doesn't happen often where I live and I don't know or care really if it is legal or not. I've not seen a cop give this old geezer on his bike a second look.
02-18-20, 05:24 AM
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Around where I am, riders that I see on the sidewalk tend to be immigrants and the occasional youthful rider. Faster moving and better equipped (lighting, etc...) cyclists take their chances on the road. I will occasionally use a sidewalk if it offers some sort of advantage to my journey. Today I actually journeyed onto a sidewalk in order to use the pedestrian walkway along a bridge because the road traffic was especially thick and, on bridges, there's no shoulder for escape. I'd prefer to stay on the road or a designated bike lane but survival is the name of the game and I will go where I believe my chances for survival are best.
02-18-20, 05:32 AM
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Uneven surfaces are not a problem for me, I don't mind obstacles, they can be fun and an opportunity to improve awareness and bike handling skills...The transitions between sidewalks and road and frequent driveway crossing is what I find most annoying and dangerous. Another thing that I find annoying is frequent bus stops. Some bus stops have crowds of people who find it too much effort to move over few inches to the side to let the cyclist through.
As a former bus commuter, I can tell you that moving a few inches at a crowded stop without bumping into someone can be a tall order. People are generally carrying bags and bunched up for quick loading after letting people exit the bus. It wouldn't even occur to me to try to ride through a crowded bus stop. It'd be like trying to do jumping jacks in a crowded elevator.
02-18-20, 05:55 AM
#30
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As a former bus commuter, I can tell you that moving a few inches at a crowded stop without bumping into someone can be a tall order. People are generally carrying bags and bunched up for quick loading after letting people exit the bus. It wouldn't even occur to me to try to ride through a crowded bus stop. It'd be like trying to do jumping jacks in a crowded elevator.
02-18-20, 06:19 AM
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Philly has a lot of narrow, one-way streets. When I ride to work I have to go 3 bocks out of my way unless I ride one block against traffic on the street or sidewalk.Very little traffic on that block. The "legal" way has a lot more morning traffic and busses.
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02-18-20, 07:54 AM
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These are the kind of places where I'll consider it. I've got a "twin bridge" situation near my house where I have to go about a 1/4 mile out of my way to take the "legal" span, and that involves a really difficult merge into a left traffic lane in moving traffic due to a road split at the far end of the bridge. No thanks.
02-18-20, 09:13 AM
#33
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My wife and I ride on a 150-yard segment of sidewalk approaching our community on my way home from work daily. This sidewalk runs along a busy commute corridor, with 3 lanes of 50 mph cars and buses. This roadway has no shoulder or bike lane. It's the worst part of our ride by far.
Sidewalk riding is inherently dangerous. Fortunately, the infrequent pedestrian on our route is normally aware and accommodating, so we haven't had any collisions yet.
Sidewalk riding through/across intersections is one of the best ways to get hit on your bike, particularly if you ride against the flow of traffic. Drivers are not accustomed to looking the "wrong" way in anticipation of bikes. It's a crash waiting to happen. And it will...
Sidewalk riding is inherently dangerous. Fortunately, the infrequent pedestrian on our route is normally aware and accommodating, so we haven't had any collisions yet.
Sidewalk riding through/across intersections is one of the best ways to get hit on your bike, particularly if you ride against the flow of traffic. Drivers are not accustomed to looking the "wrong" way in anticipation of bikes. It's a crash waiting to happen. And it will...
02-18-20, 09:55 AM
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Sidewalks are deadly, inviting fatal collisions with cars at intersections that aren't looking for vehicle speed traffic off the main roadway especially traveling in the opposite direction from motor vehicle traffic.
No. Roads with no shoulder and 45 MPH speed limits are far safer.
They're more pleasant too, with no need to slow for intersections and straight, level riding surfaces.
Yes we know the laws but do you ride on sidewalks and why?
They're more pleasant too, with no need to slow for intersections and straight, level riding surfaces.
Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 02-18-20 at 11:13 AM.
02-18-20, 10:04 AM
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I cannot think of a better way to hurt myself by crashing into a mother of three with a triple-wide baby-jogger, then ricocheting off some teenage roller-disco queen with full-volume earbuds and zero awareness before tangling up in the 12-foot leash of an oblivious dog-walker.
I could maybe hit any two of the three on an MUP, but getting them all close enough together for the triple-points score takes the confines of a sidewalk.
Unfortunately, "sidewalk speed" is walking speed so none of the injuries are serious. Can't win 'em all.
I could maybe hit any two of the three on an MUP, but getting them all close enough together for the triple-points score takes the confines of a sidewalk.
Unfortunately, "sidewalk speed" is walking speed so none of the injuries are serious. Can't win 'em all.
Luckily, we've got pretty decent biking infrastructure in the way of marked bike paths, MUPs, and marked residential streets, so it's pretty rare to need to hop up on the sidewalk.
02-18-20, 10:12 AM
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I also ride on the sidewalk when riding with my young kids.
But generally speaking, I don't like to do it.
Last edited by OBoile; 02-18-20 at 10:24 AM.
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02-18-20, 10:19 AM
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Sidewalk riding through/across intersections is one of the best ways to get hit on your bike, particularly if you ride against the flow of traffic. Drivers are not accustomed to looking the "wrong" way in anticipation of bikes. It's a crash waiting to happen. And it will...
02-18-20, 10:21 AM
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Sidewalks are deadly, inviting fatal collisions with cars at intersections that aren't looking for vehicle speed traffic off the main roadway especially traveling in the opposite direction from motor vehicle traffic.
No. Roads with no shoulder and 45 MPH speed limits are far safer.
No. Roads with no shoulder and 45 MPH speed limits are far safer.
Edit: I agree with you that there are inherent risks also with sidewalks and if all else is equal, I would prefer to be on the road. I have seen salmoning bike riders almost being hit going the wrong way of ped traffic on sidewalks.
Last edited by CAT7RDR; 02-18-20 at 01:08 PM.
02-18-20, 04:09 PM
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Sidewalk riding through/across intersections is one of the best ways to get hit on your bike, particularly if you ride against the flow of traffic. Drivers are not accustomed to looking the "wrong" way in anticipation of bikes. It's a crash waiting to happen. And it will...
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02-18-20, 05:27 PM
#40
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I ride on them when I feel it's appropriate, some times some pedestrians get mad even at 4 metres away, others are fine with it, I have to say, if someone is walking on the bike line I don't really care, as long as he/she/it doesn't get on my way.
02-18-20, 05:50 PM
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I will ride a sidewalk if necessary to avoid heavy traffic but at night I prefer the road...a uneven sidewalk at night will get you hurt
02-18-20, 09:33 PM
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There is a reason they are called sideWALKS not sideBIKES. Walk, don't ride on them.
Yesterday, driving my car out of the YMCA driveway, I stopped, looked left and right to check traffic, didn't see any walkers, pulled on out, and a lady on a mountain bike came quickly from the right, and almost hit me. When I checked for walkers, it was clear, but she came so fast that it was a close call. There is a real bike lane on that street, why not use it?
Yesterday, driving my car out of the YMCA driveway, I stopped, looked left and right to check traffic, didn't see any walkers, pulled on out, and a lady on a mountain bike came quickly from the right, and almost hit me. When I checked for walkers, it was clear, but she came so fast that it was a close call. There is a real bike lane on that street, why not use it?
02-19-20, 06:14 AM
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There is a reason they are called sideWALKS not sideBIKES. Walk, don't ride on them.
Yesterday, driving my car out of the YMCA driveway, I stopped, looked left and right to check traffic, didn't see any walkers, pulled on out, and a lady on a mountain bike came quickly from the right, and almost hit me. When I checked for walkers, it was clear, but she came so fast that it was a close call. There is a real bike lane on that street, why not use it?
Yesterday, driving my car out of the YMCA driveway, I stopped, looked left and right to check traffic, didn't see any walkers, pulled on out, and a lady on a mountain bike came quickly from the right, and almost hit me. When I checked for walkers, it was clear, but she came so fast that it was a close call. There is a real bike lane on that street, why not use it?
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02-19-20, 07:39 AM
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Like most of the members here I will pop up on the sidewalk in certain circumstances. When I do I am on high alert and traveling close to pedestrian speed if there are any pedestrians present. I also adjust my speed if there are driveways shop exits etc.
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02-19-20, 08:25 AM
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When they repaved the busy road near my condo the specifications called for a sidewalk on one side of the road and a trail on the other. I assume that bikes are legally prohibited on the sidewalk and encouraged on the trail. The only problem is there is no signage nor any other difference that I can detect so I don't know which is which.
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02-19-20, 08:40 AM
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Do it all the time on busier roads. Here in the burbs nobody walks anywhere anyway so sidewalks are always empty. When I lived in the city I generally limited sidewalk riding to non-residential, non-retail areas and only when necessary to dodge traffic or bad road conditions.
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02-19-20, 08:44 AM
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Sidewalks
Another popcorn thread about sidewalks. Why not just do a poll: Yes, No, Sometimes? 
From a current thread, "Thinking of no longer riding on roads":
This past Christmas Day while visiting those northeastern suburbs, I took some pictures of the ride. This was on Christmas afternoon, so traffic was light, on these roads during normal times can be heavy.
The road is two-lanes without shoulder. The sidewalk continously parallels the road with rare side drives. IMO it is a bona fide bikepath,
even more ameanable to cycling than some I have encountered (see photo of Rock Creek MUP in Washington DC.
What are your feelings concerning riding on sidewalks ? Yes we know the laws but do you ride on sidewalks and why?
For me it all depends. If it’s more safe and no one is walking on the sidewalk I will certainly ride on it but I will respect others who may be walking/riding on the sidewalk down the road.
I do think it is more safe although you really have to be careful at intersections.
For me it all depends. If it’s more safe and no one is walking on the sidewalk I will certainly ride on it but I will respect others who may be walking/riding on the sidewalk down the road.
I do think it is more safe although you really have to be careful at intersections.
From a current thread, "Thinking of no longer riding on roads":Are you guys still at it? Recent threads seem to indicate that a cyclists only risk on the road is distracted drivers. This is FALSE! 50% of cyclist fatalities do not involve a car! The cyclist collided with a fixed object or lost control due to a road surface irregularity or slick condition...
And finally, riding on sidewalks is not a best practice. It just isn't. Done right you will be traveling at 1/2 the speed you would normally travel at on the road.
Most cities of any size don't allow adults to do it. Portland does but I don't take them up on it very often. When and if I do it is for a specific and limited set of circumstances.
;
And finally, riding on sidewalks is not a best practice. It just isn't. Done right you will be traveling at 1/2 the speed you would normally travel at on the road.
Most cities of any size don't allow adults to do it. Portland does but I don't take them up on it very often. When and if I do it is for a specific and limited set of circumstances.
; ...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.
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.
I agree that non-vehicular hazards may indeed be of at least, if not more a serious concern to cyclists...
I frequently have posted (link) about my mindset to avoid such unexpected dangers, especially non-vehicular.
I’m glad you weren’t dogmatic about sidewalk riding, @Leisesturm. I have previously posed to that recent thread:
I frequently have posted (link) about my mindset to avoid such unexpected dangers, especially non-vehicular.
I’m glad you weren’t dogmatic about sidewalk riding, @Leisesturm. I have previously posed to that recent thread:
...:Last week I visited the family in Macomb County, MI. IMO, that is some of the nastiest road riding I have ever encountered.The main roads, to get anywhere, are six lane concrete slabs with bumps about every 20 feet, and many cracks and potholes especially on the right, with no shoulders, and heavy,upooming traffic with little patience for (slow) cyclists.
Sidewalks alongside are frequently discontinuous, and often non-existent.
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. Some major roads though, like Schoenherr and Gratiot do have continuous sidewalks for long distances...
I used to feel resentful that I was self-relegated off to the sidewalks, but now I accept it as the way it is. I’m a visitor, and must accommodate. To further the evolutionary analogy I am a small furry mammal (cyclist), whose survival depends on avoiding being trampled by the dinosaurs (autos), whose evolutionary pathway may eventually lead to much less ferocious lizards.
(If I were really provocative, I might further suggest that the small furry mammalian cyclists themselves evolved into a superior species …but I won't go there.
)
Sidewalks alongside are frequently discontinuous, and often non-existent.
Even as an experienced urban commuter, I will often flee to the sidewalks, little used by pedestrians out in suburbia. Some major roads though, like Schoenherr and Gratiot do have continuous sidewalks for long distances...
I used to feel resentful that I was self-relegated off to the sidewalks, but now I accept it as the way it is. I’m a visitor, and must accommodate. To further the evolutionary analogy I am a small furry mammal (cyclist), whose survival depends on avoiding being trampled by the dinosaurs (autos), whose evolutionary pathway may eventually lead to much less ferocious lizards.
(If I were really provocative, I might further suggest that the small furry mammalian cyclists themselves evolved into a superior species …but I won't go there.
) The road is two-lanes without shoulder. The sidewalk continously parallels the road with rare side drives. IMO it is a bona fide bikepath,
even more ameanable to cycling than some I have encountered (see photo of Rock Creek MUP in Washington DC.
I’m decades-long, year-round cycle commuter in Boston, lucky to have a reverse commute from downtown to a outlying suburb. In general
I don’t ride sidewalks in busy commercial districts, and I use bike lanes when available. However, riding venues for me are situational, and I use my judgement.
I don’t ride sidewalks in busy commercial districts, and I use bike lanes when available. However, riding venues for me are situational, and I use my judgement.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 02-20-20 at 07:54 AM.
02-19-20, 09:53 AM
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Are you sure?
When they repaved the busy road near my condo the specifications called for a sidewalk on one side of the road and a trail on the other. I assume that bikes are legally prohibited on the sidewalk and encouraged on the trail. The only problem is there is no signage nor any other difference that I can detect so I don't know which is which.
When they repaved the busy road near my condo the specifications called for a sidewalk on one side of the road and a trail on the other. I assume that bikes are legally prohibited on the sidewalk and encouraged on the trail. The only problem is there is no signage nor any other difference that I can detect so I don't know which is which.
Very simple--the trail is the one you're not riding on at any given time.
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02-19-20, 10:29 AM
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Pretty much this. I can only think of a few very short stretches (primarily bridges) where the sidewalk has been legitimately safer. As I like to tell obnoxious drivers (in my head, not out loud), I ride something called a ROAD bike, not a sidewalk bike!
I rode on sidewalks BITD when I was a college student and didn't know any better. It was not very safe. Then again, there was zero bike infrastructure back then, no resources about how to ride safely, and mapping tools (like even Google Maps) were just a dream in someone's mind. That paper town map only did so much for a cycling newbie.
I rode on sidewalks BITD when I was a college student and didn't know any better. It was not very safe. Then again, there was zero bike infrastructure back then, no resources about how to ride safely, and mapping tools (like even Google Maps) were just a dream in someone's mind. That paper town map only did so much for a cycling newbie.