Sidewalk Riding?
Let’s.preface this with some things that might reduce some of the flames from both sides. I live in The Midwest. We drive two blocks to get a 7-11 slurpy. We aren’t going outside if it is below 45f.. Not all that I am doing applies in places like NYC.
All that said, traffic is out of control. The average motorist is 5 over the limit and all commercial STROADS average 40-55mph (yes E.U. readers, right through the middle of town and on roads dsigned originally for 15mph).. Kids can’t safely walk to school as even residential streets are 35mph. No one is on the sidewalks!
For years I fought the very idea of riding on sidewalks. It is indeed less safe in many circumstances as it puts you outside the 2 degree focus of most motorists. You have to keep an eye out for right hooks from behind and left hooks before. I have learned to deal with it on MUP’s that cross motoring traffic (I have to go to a crosswalk and push a button to cross major intersections anyway). Go ahead and fight me on it. You are going to have a darned hard time finding anyone that does more practical cycling. Those with toys and hauling their bikes to pleasure ride have no business commenting. It is 45f and raining hard today. I’ll be leaving for the shop soon. I won’t see a lycra lad the entire trip.
Having commuted by bike more than 30 years, I am just tired of dealing with motoring traffic. Let someone else pick up the cycling flag and insist on our rights. One of the reasons I sold my car, when I retired, is that I want to limit my exposure to traffic annoyances. Riding on sidewalks, when a MUP or bike lane is not available, is one way.
I have decided that every sidewalk is now a MUP. Tell me about laws and speed limits. I just don’t care. Motorists are killing 35k per year. No entire state has had more pedestrian deaths due to reckless cyclists in any ten year period as any average month of motorists.
There are no more traffic laws. Law enforcement serves only to establish who is at fault after a crash. When was the last time anyone you know personally got a speeding ticket? Do you really think they aren’t speeding? In small to medium sized towns like mine, just try to find cops that aren’t speeding. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not their fault. They answer to our city fathers to whom WE have complained about tickets. They can’t drive safely themselves or they’ll get rear ended.
Since laws aren’t being enforced, I’m not going to worry about them when riding my bike. Oregon stops will be my standard. I will still follow laws as best they exist as far as speed limits on walks. I won’t risk pedestrian injuries. Still, the odds of my killing someone with my bike, even if I speed, are astronomically small. Certainly, bicycles will never match the $4 billion dollars per year in property damage caused by automobiles.
I’ll always ride on the right side of motoring traffic (motorists look left to turn right).I’ll swing away from store front doors. If I am near an actual MUP or bike lane, I’ll get off the sidewalk. I’ll take to the street when in residential areas. I’ll remember that pedestrians have the right of way and do not need to get out of my way. This may mean I have to get off and walk once in a while. That’s fine, I’m semi-retired. I have no where to go and all day to get there.