Should cyclists be made to ride on the sidewalk or on the road?

Question

On the road they frequently hold up traffic, drift across the street, and they don't have to pay to be on the road like everyone else.

On the path they apparently hit pedestrians, I haven't seen it myself but I suppose it could happen.

Also I agree there are some places where it would be dangerous for cyclists to ride on the pavement (i.e downtown) or somewhere else busy (around a mall/shopping center), but when your out in the middle of no where or a sub-urb somewhere, woudn't it be better to ride on the pavement?

Answer 1

Cyclists share the roads with other vehicles and are subject to the same rules...

The sideWALK is for walking. Plain and simple.

Answer 2

The only thing we harm while on the road, is ignorant drivers feelings. The list of what we could harm if forced to ride on the sidewalk is nearly limitless (trees, babies, other cyclists, peoples pets, whole families, letter carriers, etc...)
Why would you ask this question without first asking, "why are cars forced to drive on the roads, and not on peoples front yards?"
Fact of the matter is that we go significantly faster than anything else that is meant to be on a sidewalk, making us VERY dangerous to other people. On the road, we are the least protected, and most vulnerable things on the road, yet motorists will do everything in their power to harm us whenever possible, ranging from being run off the road, to tacks thrown in front of us to flat tires, to hitting us from behind and possibly killing us, all because they were "impatient" or "running behind for work" which apparently makes them more important than me.
I am the voice of experience, because all of the above situations have occurred to me or one of my riding buddies, and usually multiple times.

Answer 3

I was a prof cyclist and think people that use a bike too commute should use the side walk,because it is much safer.Prof cyclists can not use the sidewalk and need to ride on the road,therefor any body that use the road must respect each other to allow a safe journey.

Answer 4

I think on the road, but at the same time the road is very, very dangerous for cyclists. I think there should be a designated cycling lane with a small cement barrier (like a mini-speed bumb or something) to help keep cyclists safe while travelling on the road.

Answer 5

Bicycles are VEHICLES and thus belong on the road. I believe in North America it is illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk in most places. I think it has something to do with the size of the tires. Get a helmet, learn hand signals and the rules of the road, and ride there.

Answer 6

If the sidewalks were empty of people and it were legal to ride on them I would happily do so, as it would take me out of the danger of the drivers who do not look out for anything smaller than a SVU...

Drivers who do not want cyclists on the road would be best campaigning for dedicated cycle lanes, free of parked cars and delivery vehicles. The Scandanavians have worked out that anything to encourage people out of their petrol-guzzling cars is worth the investment. It is just a pity some other countries haven't followed suit :(

Answer 7

Road

Most cyclists do pay to use the roads through taxes whether it is their parents if not working or from their own paycheck or taxes on their home.

There a few "bad apples" out there that give cyclist a bad name. But there are "bad apples" in every facet of life. Focus on the good ones and learn from them.

Answer 8

Bicycles are subject to the same rules that govern motor vehicles. Ergo, cyclists should adhere to the same rules that motorists must obey.

However, and as Reggie McDaniel (local radio show host) says, there is always a however. I admit that I don't always follow all the motor vehicle rules all the time. I do stop at stop signs and stop lights, but occasionally when there are absolutely no motor vehicles around, I will do a "running" stop at a red light.

Also, when I ride on bike trails as I often do here in Denver, I always call out to pedestrians, other cyclists, etc, "Passing, on your left" to alert them to my presence. Too few cyclists show the same courtesy to others and it bothers me because I believe their behavior ultimately gives all responsible cyclists a bad reputation. I've had many pedestrians loudly announce their thanks to me for telling them I'm passing, I suppose because it's so rare in their experience.

Let me relate an anecdote. I was traveling south on the Platte River Trail from work to home. I was not going particularly fast, as I had not brought with me a change of clothes that day and I was riding home in what I wore to work. Still, I passed numerous trail users along the way and in all circumstances I announced my intentions to pass. Shortly before arriving home, a wannabe pro cyclist dressed to the nines in his gear passed without alerting me to his presence. Within 500 meters he slowed because some seniors were walking ahead and had taken up the majority of the trail. I caught him again and then announced loudly, "Passing, TWO bikes on your left!" The women immediately moved to their right and thanked me. I subsequently passed the cyclist and told him, "All you have to do is call out and they'll move over." He responded tersely, "I was going to." I said, "Right, just like you did when you passed me." Shaking my head and upset by his ignorance, I proceeded to accelerate rapidly and left him in my dust pondering my words.

I rarely get passed by anyone on the trail when I'm riding my bike because I naturally ride at a faster pace than most other users. It's incumbent on cyclists to announce to others their intention to pass when traveling on mult-use trails, whether they pass walkers, slower cyclists, etc. If you can't loudly utter "passing," "on your left" or a combination of the two, you shouldn't use a multi-use path.

Answer 9

While I be riding on the road minding my own business. A motorist tells me to use the side walk. That person can kiss my rosie red something. Want to action? I'll let the court system handle it.

Answer 10

Road
The sidewalk is too unsafe. Drivers are looking for walkers on sidewalk intersections, not cyclists who are travelling much faster.
Plus it takes too long to ride on the sidewalk.