Forum Topic

Bicycle riding on the sidewalk

It's a shame that there are laws against riding on the sidewalk when in many instances it's far safer to ride on the sidewalk than in the road. Even with bike lanes, the outcome when struck by a 3000+ lb vehicle is that the bike rider will sustain injuries or become a fatality. Clearly when the side walk is populated with pedestrians the correct thing to do is to walk the bike, but there are many traffic and roadway locations when riding in the road is an invitation to become a statistic. Let the laws recognize this and let the police show some discretion and flexibility.

Jeff Birnberg ● 4247d5 Comments

Hi Keith,I'm from NYC.

Jeff Birnberg ● 4200d

I've been hit by a bike on the pavement and it's no picnic. As Keith says, an older person could end up with a broken hip. The police should clamp down and fine people.

Ian Speed ● 4244d

Perhaps they don't have to have lessons first - like cyclists?

Philippa Bond ● 4245d

I think even more dangerous are some of the mobility scooters. On Saturday Morning one elderley lady drove down the pavement past Goddards at a ridiculous speed with absolutely no regard for anybody else on the pavement.

Chris Broadbent ● 4246d

Jeff,This issue is a real hoary old forum chestnut.I assume, perhaps wrongly in which case please forgive me, that you are from a country where the 'sidewalks' are not populated by throngs of people and where the roads may not be quite so crowded per capita as here, that is.I don't fancy being hit by someone cycling on a footpath (the clue is in the name),being left for dead or injured by some berk who then cycles off and gives me the finger. I would fancy this even less at the age of 70 or 80.

Keith Iddon ● 4246d