Why you shouldn't ride on sidewalks

Posted June 3rd, 2008 by Barb Chamberlain

There's a discussion under way on our Google Group, biketoworkspokane (look it up and join!) about cycling on sidewalks.

Eileen Hyatt posted a great link to research demonstrating how dangerous it is for everyone when cyclists ride on the sidewalk. See http://www.bikexprt.com/bikepol/facil/sidepath/sidecrash.htm.

I think there is times you

On June 12th, 2008 mwp9311 said:

I think there is times you can and times you cant. I ride the side walk all most every day.I travel north Nevada to work, I cant come close to staying with traffic on my MTB and i cant count how many times I've been cut close,cut off, squeezed or had cars try to "share" the lane with me. This was really scary this winter when there was only 1/2 a lane there anyway.( due to the snowbank ) Their is very little foot traffic on this section of road and when I do meet someone I yield to them. Now if I'm in town more where foot traffic is higher and speed limits are lower then I'm in the street.

too many intersections

On June 4th, 2008 bleckb said:

Okay, I admit it. I've ridden on the sidewalk, even did so last week one day for a few blocks. But it's not something I like to do or do regularly. Mostly I don't do it because it's too dang slow. But the danger comes from the notion that every doorway is an intersection, and that's where collisions are more likely to occur. Besides, the last thing I want to do is clobber someone unexpectedly, or have them knock me into the street or oncoming traffic should they get the better of the encounter, an encounter I'm sure neither of us wants.