Why can't cyclists ride on the sidewalk!?

bikernoj

Sorry to break it to you, but you are DEAD WRONG!

Bicycles are considered the same as any other motor vehicle in EVERY STATE, and have all the rights and responsibilities as any other car, truck, etc on nearly all roads except freeways.

It is the RIGHT of ALL bicyclists to ride in the road, but they need to remember that proper signaling and communication is also necessary, such as lane changes and proper hand signals.

If that upsets you, think of how I feel when I get stuck behind a slow car going down a mountain road on my bicycle. I can easily take that corner at 40mph, but the yutz in front of me insists that 15 is the proper speed!

As far as sidewalks are concerned, in many places it is illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk due to pedestrian traffic. In fact, I did a little experiment while riding home from work one day: I rode on the sidewalk instead of in the street, and was almost hit FOUR TIMES within a two mile span because oncoming traffic NEVER LOOKS at the sidewalk, and I was turned in front of four times. I feel far safer in the street, honestly. I act like a car and follow the rules, I am visible and predictable, and I have NEVER been hit while doing so.

Besides, when the gasoline is gone, bicyclists will rule the planet!

Mwaaah haah haaah!

mobilemark

a bicycle is a consider a vehicle by state law which mean the cyclists
must obey all law pertaining to vehicles (would you want a car driving on the sidewalk?) and drivers please remember a cyclist *is* a vehicle
they have the same rights as you do
note in some jurisdiction bicycle riding is illegal (IE Santa Monica for example) but other cities allow (Los Angeles (although there are 3 exception to this rule in LA (hollywood blvd, Riverside drive and ocean front walk) West Hollywood is now allowing (testing it out) a policy
where you can ride the bike on the sidewalk
also pedestrians do not expect a bicycle to be coming at them
they expect other pedestrians

SunnyD203

Have you ever tried to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk? There are so many uncomfortable and dangerous cracks, bumps and PEOPLE!!! Even if I yell, these pedestrians don't seem to hear me. And, whether the bicycle is ridden on the road or the sidewalk, the cyclist still must obey traffic laws. Maybe you should just be more alert and careful when driving, so to avoid any accidents

Fly High and True

It completely depends on conditions and the skills of the rider. I think its fine if ride very slow and if you walk when there are pedestrians; but for adults, its better to learn how to ride properly in traffic. It sounds like you are talking about a situation where there might be some sight-distance problems, where a car can come up quickly on a bike without seeing it. If that is the case, I'd use the sidewalk -- but remember, if its on a hill or corner and you are going fast, you likewise do not want to surprise a pedestrian.

thud.fan

This is one of those "pick your poison" issues. A bike is faster than a pedestrian, but more maneuverable and slower than a vehicle. On a sidewalk, peds are going every which way. To have cyclists in this mix would be a mess to say the least. So cyclists are religated to the streets to compete with motor vehicles and abide by the same rules. I don't know if this would apply to a unicyclist though.

bungee

I have always felt the same as you. why do we expect a 10 year old kid to know the rules of the road. look at most sidewalks and they are nearly empty;

Max Cruise

Let me understand your question.
You are asking why cyclist don't ride on a pedestrian walkway?
Then is I am riding on said pedestrian walkway and hit a pedestrian, guess what the police will ask me?
"Why were you riding on a pedestrian walkway and not on the road"?
I will agree at times it is safer to be off the road. I should feel safe while I ride my bicycle. Sadly these days that is not the case. Poor narrow roads with no shoulders. Unskilled, inattentive, uncaring, inexperienced drivers are a real menace to other drivers and riders. But us bicyclist and motorcyclist will get hurt the most when one of these drivers come along.
With the price of gas at the levels we have seen, one would think drivers would slow down just a bit and be a little more careful. Sadly from my point of view, that has not been the case.

UCANTCME

Sidewalks are for people, have you forgotten that....

atsun1741

It is dangerous for the people walking.

side"WALK"...not side"RIDE"

Cecily

to bikernoj, I can't believe you're saying that you're on the sidewalk and a car turns in front of you and almost hits you. I think what you mean to say is that a car turns AHEAD of you and has the right-of-way and you fail to stop and almost hit it. You on a bike are a vehicle and not only do you have the same rights as a car, you have the same responsibilities. You do not have right-of-way over a car just because you're on a bike. If you're on a sidewalk, they probably won't see you until they're at the intersection. If they have already turned, it is up to you to stop for them. And automobile drivers are taught to slow down as they approach intersections, even if the light is green, in order to avoid collisions. Do bikes do that? Because it doesn't sound like that from your message.

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