If you're not going fast and are careful why is it illegal? The streets are too dangerous to ride your bike in, why should I be fined for riding on a sidewalk?!
2007-05-31 09:48:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Cycling
A bike is not a car though you numbskull.
2007-05-31 09:56:14 · update #1
Being careful has nothng to do with it. Just because you're careful doesn't mean that the tony hawk wannbe who tries to hop a park bench and takes out a mom with a stroller will be.
Bikes were around before cars, and because of that they are treated as transportation, not toys. Since they are treated as transportation, they must follow the rules of the road, and one of the rules of the road is NOT to drive on the sidewalk. they only variation to this is children under a certain age, and even that depends on where you live.
Get over it kid. If you've been hassled by Big Fat Cop, he'll hassle you again. Learn how to ride on the road, and wear a helmet.
2007-05-31 10:09:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Oh well lets get controversial
Where I live Queensland Australia it has been legal to ride a bicycle on the footpath. This change in the law was the result of lobbying and a serious attempt by the government to encourage cycling.
When you review the reasons why people do not ride their bikes, safety concerns is always number one. This is supported by accident statistics. The number one cause of fatality to a cyclist is being hit from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction.
There has been a dramatic increase in the number of people cycling on a regular basis and this in turn has made it much easier to develop cycling facilities. It should be noted that pedestrians still have the right of way at all times and you can be booked for endangerment if you are stupid.
If you are a cyclist you are more likely to ride on the road than on the footpath but when there is heavy traffic and no sholders you can consider the footpath as a safer option.
Realising that the legalising riding bikes on the footpath as only being an easy first step to opening up safe cycling alternatives is important. This cost the government very little financially and has resulted in a dramatic increase in facilities.
The government has undertaken a detailed strategy to provide better cycling facilities including stand alone bikeways and onroad cycle lanes. This does take time but having the option of using the footpath is a good stop gap measure.
I'm sure that my government would only be too happy to help. If you can lobby yours into adopting a similar strategy.
This has made a dramatic difference in cycling where I live. i thouroghly recommend it.
More cyclist = better facilities
2007-05-31 12:20:22 · answer #2 · answered by Glenn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sidewalks are for pedestrians.
Being careful is not the issue. Its a question of appllying the law equally to everybody.
Allowing someone to ride a bike on a sidewalk because he's careful would mean that you should also allow every X-games wannabe to use the sidewalk and endanger everybody else.
Just because you're careful doesn't mean that every other biker allowed to use the sidewalk would be careful too.
You mentioned that the streets are too dangerous to ride your bike in, then why should pedestrians be put in danger just so that somebody could take his bike ride on the sidewalk?
2007-05-31 21:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by riqtan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because bicycles have the same rights on the road as a vehicle, except on Interstate highways. Following that rule, would you take a car on the sidewalk?
Also careful isn't a proper law term.
If you are allowed to drive on the sidewalk, its got to be allowed for everyone. With that in mind, a lot of idiots will fly down the sidewalks and cause a lot of accidents on what was otherwise a safe place to walk.
Think, for once.
2007-05-31 09:55:25 · answer #4 · answered by Gump023 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because in most jurisdictions a bike is classified similarly to a motor vehicle. It makes sense.
Plus there is the danger factor. OK so one bike rode carefully will not cause a problem but what happens when all bikes use the sidewalks. Where do pedestrians go?
2007-05-31 09:55:04 · answer #5 · answered by The Oracle 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not everyone is a careful and considerate rider like you. Having bikes with pedestrians is a major liability waiting to happen. There are no written laws of how Peds and bikers should treat each other. I know it is common sense, but some riders have no common sense. The world revolves around them.
2007-05-31 17:28:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jett Boy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because a bike is a vehicle, whether you like it or not. There are children and pedestrians at risk, and just because YOU ride your bike carefully does not mean that other people will. In fact, most people do not. Why should pedestrians be endangered just because bike riders don't want to be? If that is all it is, then take your bike to a riding trail. Then everybody is safe.
2007-05-31 09:56:40 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Taco 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i agree with you but the thing is that most of the bikers arent careful and speed and bike like crazy through people .
So in order to avoid any very possible accident , it's better to just prohibit the transit of bikes on the side walk.
There sure should be more bike's paths.
2007-05-31 10:00:08 · answer #8 · answered by evacivati1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
where i live it's not illegal. but probally because i live in an area that's more rural than like a city.
here it's illegal to ride it on the street. but not on the sidewalk.
2007-05-31 09:56:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
illegal means you cant do it at all. sorry but you have to ride in the street unless you are under the age of 12.
2007-05-31 09:57:02 · answer #10 · answered by Don Kwondo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋