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Is it legal or illegal to ride on the sidewalk in your area?

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View Poll Results: Is it legal to ride on the sidewalk in your area?
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Is it legal or illegal to ride on the sidewalk in your area?

Old 05-24-23, 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by LarrySellerz
A girl I work with is afraid of the cars and thinks she is well within her rights to ride on the sidewalk. I’m not gonna tell her no
She might be right. I know actually checking for facts isn't really your thing, but I suggest you look what the laws actually are in your area. It's not hard.
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Old 05-24-23, 12:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Juan Foote
According to a quick search, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk here (in GA) over the age of 12. Otherwise cyclists are expected to adhere to the same rights and responsibilities on public roads as motorized vehicles.




I know this is a bit of a side to the topic at hand...The aspect that I hate about not being "sure" of the legality and the lack of enforcement is that how often you see it used as a fishing tactic for police to pull someone that is otherwise doing nothing, but suspicious enough for them to 'want a reason'. I see this manner of crud on those TV police shows and it sort of burns my hiney that we call ourselves free and yet have to put up with **** like that.
Good point.
Any selectively enforced regulation lends itself to pretextual stops. It's why Seattle did away with its helmet mandate.

Another point--did you know that sidewalk riding was illegal in GA before you googled it? Do people do it anyway? There's this sort of zen question that comes up frequently in the legal world--if there's a law that is universally ignored, is it really a law at all?

I think the bigger question is whether it matters whether it's legal or not. I do almost all my riding in 2 states, MA and NH. Sidewalk riding is legal in MA and illegal in NH, and I think I see more people riding on the sidewalks in the NH city live in than anywhere in MA, excluding campuses. MA has a few of those.
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Old 05-24-23, 12:12 PM
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I was walking in town this morning. Someone riding on the sidewalk hit my cane and kept going.
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Old 05-24-23, 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by indyfabz
I was walking in town this morning. Someone riding on the sidewalk hit my cane and kept going.
He needs a Cinzano treatment.
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Old 05-24-23, 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
He needs a Cinzano treatment.
He does. He came from behind, not that I would have ruined my cane over him.

I saw several people riding bikes, e assist bikes and electric scooters on busy sidewalks today. Not a good idea in a heavily trafficked area of a city of 1.5 million people. Clueless pedestrians are trouble enough.

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Old 05-24-23, 01:23 PM
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In my area a better question would be - 'What's a sidewalk?'.
Around me you "Share the Road" or you drive to ride every time. Bummer.
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Old 05-24-23, 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by livedarklions
Good point.
Any selectively enforced regulation lends itself to pretextual stops. It's why Seattle did away with its helmet mandate.

Another point--did you know that sidewalk riding was illegal in GA before you googled it? Do people do it anyway? There's this sort of zen question that comes up frequently in the legal world--if there's a law that is universally ignored, is it really a law at all?

I think the bigger question is whether it matters whether it's legal or not. I do almost all my riding in 2 states, MA and NH. Sidewalk riding is legal in MA and illegal in NH, and I think I see more people riding on the sidewalks in the NH city live in than anywhere in MA, excluding campuses. MA has a few of those.

At some point I probably did, and forgot.

Yes, you see tons of people riding on the sidewalk in the city as well as salmoning up the road. It blows me away.
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Old 05-24-23, 01:35 PM
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Whether or not it is legal is not the point. It is dangerous to ride on the sidewalks and best avoidedd altogether. People on foot step out onto the sidewalk with no expectation that a bicyclist is going to go be at 15 mph and so there is a very good chance for a collision and serious injury for those involved.

I use my brain to decide what is safe and the legality is not a consideration. What is legal for bicyclists is often very dangerous and I prefer not to needlessly risk my life and limbs. Traffic tickets by overly zealous cops are far cheaper than a visit to the emergency room or the morgue.
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Old 05-25-23, 06:48 AM
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Like on MUPS, pedestrians have the undisputed right-of-way on a sidewalk. That means if you hit one, you are liable for damages and injury, no matter what dumb thing they did to precipitate the collision. My advice would be to avoid sidewalks for reasons of liability unless you can absolutely guarantee that there is no foot traffic anywhere near.

If Michigan is like other places, state vehicle code *seems* to imply that they are allowed on sidewalks, although local ordinances may prohibit them in certain areas.
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Old 05-25-23, 07:03 AM
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The dangers are compounded since folks who choose to ride on sidewalks are likely to be inexperienced, squirrely and unpredictable.
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Old 05-25-23, 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
The dangers are compounded since folks who choose to ride on sidewalks are likely to be inexperienced, squirrely and unpredictable.
Agreed.

Sounds exactly like the OP too!
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Old 05-25-23, 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by shelbyfv
The dangers are compounded since folks who choose to ride on sidewalks are likely to be inexperienced, squirrely and unpredictable.

Enough posters have stated that it's a norm for even experienced riders in Florida to ride on sidewalks that I have given up on generalizations like this.

Where I ride, I would tend to agree with you as even where it is legal, it is definitely not the usual practice for adults.
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Old 05-25-23, 07:37 AM
  #63  
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
Keep in mind a e-bike is just a bicycle, yes it can give you assistance if you so desire but there is NO THROTTLE. A throttled machine would be called a moped and yes there is an increasing number of mopeds being incorrectly classed as bicycles but they need to be realized as mopeds. Having a crank and a tourney derailleur or whatever crap is on it does not make it a bicycle it is a moped and mopeds and other throttled vehicles do not belong anywhere on the sidewalk.
Perhaps, though as an example, here's California's breakdown on 'ebikes' -- Class 2 is capable of being solely throttle propelled.

312.5. (a) An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
(1) A “class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) A “class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) A “class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.
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Old 05-25-23, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by daihard
I live in Seattle, WA. In both the city and the state, it is legal to operate a bicycle on the sidewalk.

Seattle: https://www.seattle.gov/transportati...es-of-the-road
WA: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.261
Not exactly!

WAC 308-330-555 is the state law governing for all localities that have adopted the state's Model Traffic Ordinance.
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Old 05-25-23, 01:52 PM
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Legal here as well. But I only do it if I have to ride along major multi lane thoroughfares. No one walks there anyhow and I feel safer since most vehicles are speeding. If it comes to quiet neighborhood roads I stay off the sidewalks. Also sidewalks are often very bumpy because of shifted and uplifted concrete slabs.
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Old 05-25-23, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Sy Reene
Perhaps, though as an example, here's California's breakdown on 'ebikes' -- Class 2 is capable of being solely throttle propelled.

312.5. (a) An “electric bicycle” is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts.
(1) A “class 1 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) A “class 2 electric bicycle,” or “low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) A “class 3 electric bicycle,” or “speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle,” is a bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a speedometer.
No I get that it keeps getting mislabeled by the government but a throttle turns it into a moped.

A bicycle according to Oxford Dictionary is: a vehicle composed of two wheels held in a frame one behind the other, propelled by pedals and steered with handlebars attached to the front wheel.

Having a motor assist you in pedaling would still be a bicycle but using a throttle changes that.
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Old 05-25-23, 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Black wallnut
Not exactly!

WAC 308-330-555 is the state law governing for all localities that have adopted the state's Model Traffic Ordinance.
Ah, thanks! I follow Washington Bike Law but haven't run into that page. Good information.
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Old 05-26-23, 06:32 AM
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My suburban town has a ban on riding bikes on sidewalks, but it has never been enforced. Local bike advocates have complained that the ordinance discourages kids from using bikes. Finally, the town decided to rescind the prohibition and, as part of that process, held public hearings on the proposal. Well, someone at the Senior Center must have lobbied the grey panthers to show up at the hearing en masse. (I'm a "seasoned citizen" so I can poke fun). Person after person testified that their lives would be in peril if bikes were allowed on the sidewalk. Never mind the fact that the recission of the prohibition would not result in any change in actual sidewalk use, the proposal was shelved pending further review.

My prediction is that the town will keep the ordinance and continue to refuse to enforce it.
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Old 05-26-23, 06:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Dino_Sore
My suburban town has a ban on riding bikes on sidewalks, but it has never been enforced....

My prediction is that the town will keep the ordinance and continue to refuse to enforce it.
Who's flouting the ban, kids or adults?
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Old 05-26-23, 06:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Eric F
In my immediate area, it’s prohibited. However, in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, it varies from city to city.
https://www.sallymorinlaw.com/bicycl...k-los-angeles/
"THE COMPLICATED REALITY OF BICYCLE SIDEWALK LAWS IN THE LOS ANGELES METROThe City of Los Angeles allows riders to use the sidewalk if they ride with regard “for the safety of persons or property.”

But there are over 80 municipalities in LA county, and a single bike ride can easily include two or more.

Sidewalk cycling laws vary from city to city within LA county, and even within districts in a given municipality. For example:
  • The City of Los Angeles, Redondo Beach, and Pasadena permit riding your bicycle on the sidewalk. The County of Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Palmdale forbid riding bicycles on the sidewalk completely.
  • In some areas, legality is restricted by age. For example, Hermosa Beach and Lancaster only allow cyclists under 14 on the sidewalk.
  • Still other municipalities, such as Hidden Hills & Palos Verdes Estates, have no laws or ordinances that deal directly with bicycles on sidewalks at all."
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Old 05-26-23, 07:28 PM
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"Area" is a little too vague. The CITY I live in allows sidewalk riding, but each city in California is free to make its own laws regarding it, and as terrymorse and Eric F pointed out (and probably others I missed), some CA cities allow it in certain places and not others.
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