Why do people walk their bikes across the street?

Answer 1

1. It is NOT the law.
2. It's safer for little kids who need control and to slow down to look before they cross.

Bikes are steet legal - always have been.

PS G T rider is WRONG.

Answer 2

Although I am a vehicle on my bike, occasionally, when the traffic is really heavy during rush hour and rude drivers refuse to let me change lanes to make a left turn, I find it much less of a hassle to pull up to the right corner and walk my bike across the street in the crosswalk, then continue to ride in the new direction when the coast is clear. I wish drivers would be more considerate, but reality is, many don't respect cyclists as vehicles, so instead of getting into a confrontation or trying to survive an impact with a truck, I prefer to play it safe and just walk through some crazy intersections. My pride is not worth my life.

Answer 3

Actually in most localities riding on the sidewalk is illegal. Most municipalities ignore the rule for kids and families. If you are are a recreational cyclist and riding on the sidewalk you probably should walk. However, technically you should be riding in the street WITH the traffic and obeying the traffic laws as you would in a motor vehicle. I always ride through intersections.

The problem with riding on sidewalks and then riding across the intersection is the safety hazard. If there are any visual obstructions, you may "dart out" in front of a car that is turning right, for instance, too quickly for them to respond. My wife almost hit someone who did just that. They were hidden by shrubs that came almost up to the corner and then just rode from the sidewalk into the intersection while she was starting out to turn right.

If you are comfortable enough try riding in the road. Also, if you use a bike lane, you may and should continue to ride across the intersection (on the green light of course).

Answer 4

It's just safer for the cyclist. You have more control of yourself and the bike should a crazy wreckless driver nearly hit you. On a bike you would have to, basically, just pedal faster or slow down to avoid the car. If you were walking, you could run and turn on a dime to get out of harms way. Your bike may not make it, but at least you would.

Answer 5

actually, if you are in a crosswalk (note the work WALK), then you must walk across the street
if you are NOT in the crosswalk, then you are a vehicle and must RIDE across the intersection

the only time this changes is if the bike path is not part of the street

plain and simple
this is the same for all 50 states in the US

Answer 6

When I'm with my kids - 9 and 12 - we walk the busy streets, simply because they and I are more comfortable that we can start and stop and stay together. I get really nervous with little girl wobbling across traffic.

Answer 7

well the law says that and if you get hit by a car when you ride across the street it is your fault no matter what happens to you or the bike, if you walk the bike and get hurt so the driver who hit you will be blamed

Answer 8

Saftey..it's easier to move in a defensive way rather than riding them across...and better visability for drivers to see a slow moving object rather than a fast on coming up behind them.

Answer 9

Same answer as why the chicken crossed the road - to get to the other side (you can add safely to it though)

Answer 10

Because its the safest way to cross and I believe its the law