The most important factor, I think, is visibility — which is driven by expectations. If a stretch of sidewalk is crossed by driveways and side streets, I avoid it — because cars turning into those driveways and cross streets will not be looking for me on the sidewalk. ESPECIALLY cars turning left, who are looking for a quick hole in oncoming car traffic. (Thus Jerry’s point #2 is wrong.) Riding on the sidewalk also makes you vulnerable to the “right hook,” which you can prevent by riding out in the middle of the traffic lane.

I’m more likely to ride on the sidewalk when the pavement is narrow and visibility ahead is blocked by a hill or curve.

My speed is also important. I am much more likely to ride on the sidewalk uphill than downhill.

Pedestrian traffic is also a factor. If there are pedestrians on the sidewalk, I’ll probably get in the street.

Kevin,

You made my point for me: “A recent research project finds that car drivers are responsible for 90% of car/bike accidents in Toronto.”

1. Apparently it doesn’t matter if the biker does all the right things, cars are out of your control and you take your chances.

2.Biker not in street, ie sidewalk: both win, no accidents except by bicyclist.

3.If you’re on the sidewalk, won’t get hit by driver opening door.

Now we’re up to it’s 25x riskier to ride on the sidewalk???? Where do these people get this? You can make numbers fit any situation you want. It just takes one car wreck to be pushing yourself in a wheelchair.

Look, I’d rather ride on the street, and do when it’s wide open, I hate the bumpy sidewalks.

But I don’t want to put my life in the hands of someone driving and talking and texting on their cellphone.

I’ll pay the sidewalk fine and live. To each their own. I wish I had the cajones to fly up and down the streets in rush hour, but I guess I’d rather go slower and get there.

Thanks y’all !

It is now illegal for anyone over 12 years of age to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in Georgia.
Code Section 40-6-144

This is a good thing because adult riding on a sidewalk is 24.8 times riskier than riding on a major street without bicycle facilites.
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Moritz2.htm

incidentally,
A recent research project finds that car drivers are responsible for 90% of car/bike accidents in Toronto.

http://www.research.utoronto.ca/behind_the_headlines/smart-cycling/

“The most common type of crash in this study involved a motorist entering an intersection failing to stop properly or proceeding before it was safe to do so. The second most common crash type involved a motorist overtaking unsafely. The third involved a motorist opening a door onto an oncoming cyclist.

The available evidence suggests that collisions have far more to do with aggressive driving than aggressive cycling.”

I’ve ridden on sidewalks all my life (except wide open subdivisions or bike paths) and am injury free.

Street riding Example 1: my nephew is now a PARAPLEGIC after getting hit by a driver who was adjusting her car radio !!

Example 2: My neighbor broke his arm,ribs and collarbone by teenagers intentionally running him off the road. He’s a triathlete. This wasn’t his first road accident.

ON and ON.

You can see cars coming and ride without fear.

Driveway issue? BS. The difference between riding in the street and on the sidewalk is only 2-3 feet. If the person backing out of the driveway won’t see you on the sidewalk, they won’t see you 2′ further away.

Crosswalks??? You mean cars can see pedestrians in the crosswalk but not a pedestrian with a bike ?? come on.

Whoever designed your city street never intended a Hummer and a biker to share the road.

When I’m in the city, it’s the sidewalk, I want to live. (And yes, I literally stop or slow down to 1mph and move all the way over when I see a pedestrian.)

I want to pedal my wheels, not push them in a wheelchair.

don’t believe the hype – THINK !

I found Street Smarts, by John Allen. What an eye opener. I live in Florida and the book was adapted to FL statutes.

Rarely do I use the sidewalk these days. (There is road construction along my route and not enough safe passing distance while controlling the lane)

My rides have become MUCH LESS STRESSFUL and more enjoyable since adopting the principles found in Street Smarts.

I regularly post at our local blog http://www.CommuteOrlando.com. Check us out sometime.

Robyn