There’s a two lane road near my home that clearly states the bike lane is for bikes only, under any non-emergency circumstances. I’ve seen bikers almost killed as well as almost getting rear ended or side swiped by people flying down the bike lane to make the right that I make at the intersection from the middle of the road, as prescribed. I understand the complaints but you’ll never catch me on a road of any sort in America with a bike. It’s just not worth the risk. So everyone is (except the crazy bikers that use the lane) on the sidewalk. It’s just a symptom of poor design. And unfortunately everyone will include those assholes almost hitting people on the sidewalk.
There have been studies on riding on sidewalks vs the road. The issue is that you’re rapidly transitioning between road and sidewalk. When you’re a pedestrian, you can take the extra time to take in your surroundings before making a step into the intersection. Drivers also are expecting walking speeds going on and off sidewalks.
You’re basically hiding from traffic while you’re on the sidewalk, then popping your head out every time you cross an intersection.
Overtaking accidents, in which a bicyclist in
the roadway was struck from behind by a
motorist traveling in the same direction,
accounted for only 5 of 314 bicycle-motor
vehicle collisions, and sideswipes for 8. The
remaining non-intersection collisions included
those in which a bicyclist overtook a parked or
parking motor vehicle, a motorist opened the
door of a parked car into the bicyclist’s path, or a
motorist or bicyclist changed lanes improperly.
That quote clearly shows most of the danger is from cars against the curb. Its why i absolutely will pass a parked car on the sidewalk if its clear. Even if theres a bike lane, if some asshole is parking on it or using it to drive in then theyre forcing me either into the middle of the road or onto the sidewalk, im gonna choose the sidewalk. The exception is if i can tell they’re turning right and then i always go to the left of them, because noone ever checks the fucking bike lane before turning.
There’s a two lane road near my home that clearly states the bike lane is for bikes only, under any non-emergency circumstances. I’ve seen bikers almost killed as well as almost getting rear ended or side swiped by people flying down the bike lane to make the right that I make at the intersection from the middle of the road, as prescribed. I understand the complaints but you’ll never catch me on a road of any sort in America with a bike. It’s just not worth the risk. So everyone is (except the crazy bikers that use the lane) on the sidewalk. It’s just a symptom of poor design. And unfortunately everyone will include those assholes almost hitting people on the sidewalk.
There have been studies on riding on sidewalks vs the road. The issue is that you’re rapidly transitioning between road and sidewalk. When you’re a pedestrian, you can take the extra time to take in your surroundings before making a step into the intersection. Drivers also are expecting walking speeds going on and off sidewalks.
You’re basically hiding from traffic while you’re on the sidewalk, then popping your head out every time you cross an intersection.
https://www.bicyclinglife.com/Library/Accident-Study.pdf
That quote clearly shows most of the danger is from cars against the curb. Its why i absolutely will pass a parked car on the sidewalk if its clear. Even if theres a bike lane, if some asshole is parking on it or using it to drive in then theyre forcing me either into the middle of the road or onto the sidewalk, im gonna choose the sidewalk. The exception is if i can tell they’re turning right and then i always go to the left of them, because noone ever checks the fucking bike lane before turning.
Ahhh, I’m lucky enough to live in a Canadian city that is aggressively bikeable.