noob question- when to use the sidewalk?

Edudbor

I'd stay off the sidewalk.

For every person riding on the sidewalk, someone who isn't is going to have to deal with a motorist who thinking 'Geez - why isn't this retarded on a sidewalk?'.

In many places, it's illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk.

Jonahhobbes

I will use a side walk if I feel the road is to unsafe, there are a couple of stretches of road where I commute that I feel I have to use. Police have passed me loads of times and have never stopped me, I think they turn a blind eye as a girl got swiped and killed by a passing truck there a couple of years ago. Also one sidewalk has been painted to split it in two with SLOW on in one lane so I'm thinking that they will soon make this stretch an offical shared bike/pedestrian route.

If I have to use a sidewalk, I slow down for pedestrains and when passing I thank them or greet them.

I also use a footbridge somtimes and will get off if there are a few people coming my way.

If you have to use a sidewalk just be really really nice to people on foot, there are some places I would happily risk a fine by riding on the sidewalk than ride on the roads.

Mister Penguin

Never. I'm in the UK, it's illegal here (but barely enforced). Don't want to offer any more ammo to those drivers here who want us off "their" roads. In most cases the sidewalk is more dangerous- no priority at junctions, street furniture etc. Can't think of any situations where I've "held up" more than a couple drivers at a time, really narrow roads aren't generally busy (here in the UK anyway).

Jonahhobbes

Yeah Penguin I am from the UK and I would never use the pavements there, however New Zealand roads feel a heck of alot unsafer than they do back home, they are wider that seems to encourage cars to go faster,they have appalling street lighting and have massive pot holes. There is always someone in the news getting killed or badly injured which is shocking with the size of the country. So unfortuantely I have to use the path for some of my journey.

dan66

Hi all,
I'm from Southern California, and the laws about riding on sidewalks vary from city to city. For example, its legal to do so in Santa Monica and Los Angeles, but not in West Hollyood. LA's rules say bikes can be on sidewalks as long as you operate in a manner so as not to endanger pedestrians. Makes sense, but others have raised a good point: legal or not, most drivers coming to an intersection are looking everywhere except where you are if you are on the sidewalk AND going the wrong way. I find it useful in my daily commute to work to be on the sidewalk and going the wrong way in a very few spots, but I always have to be aware no one is looking for me. If you must be on the sidewalks, just realize you're at the bottom of the "legality chain" and most drivers aren't looking for you there.
Be safe!

massivebigtoe

I'm in the UK and have to use the pavement in my area sometimes. I live near Birmingham and some of the roads are narrow but used heavily.

The pavements on these roads are hardly used by pedestrians. Most of them end up being turned into cycle lanes whenever the council feels like buying some paint...but odd cycle lanes that stop and start for no real reason.