For many cyclists not comfortable with city riding, sidewalks seem the obvious choice. Unfortunately, this natural instinct proves to be more dangerous if done carelessly. Cyclists should be very careful about how they choose to ride, and riding on the sidewalks can be beneficial, or illegal, depending on how and when you do it.
The First Rule
Bicycles are considered moving vehicles. Typically, they are “slow moving vehicles,” but they are vehicles nevertheless. Thus, they belong on the road. Excepting limited access highways and very high speed areas, bicycles belong on the road, and we, as cyclists, should not hesitate to assert our rights in this regard. By riding responsibly, in vehicle lanes within plain sight, we are actually minimizing risks to ourselves.
Ideally, we only belong on the sidewalks when roads are too fast, inaccessible, or otherwise dangerous. Sidewalks are for walking, that is to say pedestrians, and they have the full right of way while on them.
Being Polite
While I rarely consider sidewalks appropriate riding areas, when on them, cyclists must be polite. Pedestrians have all of the rights on sidewalks, and a cyclist is there only as a guest. You must be willing to slow to the speed of pedestrian traffic, and, at worst, to stop and dismount.
Being a pest toward pedestrians will make them resent you, and eventually, resentment becomes community sentiment and laws are passed. Please, for the sake of all cyclists out there, be polite when on sidewalks, and remember to use the road when possible.
Crossing Streets
The thing many cyclists miss about riding on the sidewalk is how it makes them vulnerable to a new kind of accident. I’ll try to make this as clear as I possibly can. Imagine a car is driving up a road and wants to make a right turn onto a street. As the car makes a right, the driver scans the path to make sure there are no obstacles. At this point, he sees any cars, pedestrians, or obstacles on the street he is turning onto. If clear, he begins his turn.
Now imagine a cyclist riding parallel to the car on his right. Since he moves so much faster than a pedestrian, he might not be in the path of the car when the driver scans the path, but can easily slip into it by the time the car begins to make the turn. In effect, you jumped in front of a car, and there was never an opportunity for the driver to see you. Drivers aren’t looking for fast moving cyclists on sidewalks, so you appeared from nowhere.
Thus, if crossing a street by sidewalk, be extremely aware of turning cars. They are most likely to not see you. Generally, you should stop at the corner, making yourself just as visible as a pedestrian before making your turn.
Wrapping Up
Bicycle safety is very important, for obvious reasons. While misguided people ride on the sidewalk for safety, they may end up doing more harm than good. Generally, I advocate for people to become acclimated to riding in the streets, since that is safer with excellent practices in place for cyclists and significant legal protections as well.
Finally, make sure it is legal in your area. In many big cities especially, sidewalk riding isn’t just inconvenient, it is illegal.