digaz

I know a road bike is meant to be ridden on the road, but there are certain times such as rush hour traffic that I'd feel so guilty slowing it down even further by sharing lanes with a bunch of frustrated commuters going and coming home from work. So with that in mind, is it okay to ride on the sidewalk?

bengreen79

Here we go again...

Abstractworld

i ride on sidewalk only cuz i feel like road is dangerous and i dont wanna piss off drivers because bikes are slow
but then again, im a beginner biker

rjones28 

What about all of the frustrated pedestrians?

digaz

Exactly how I feel. I just feel bad slowing down and holding up traffic. I'd love to ride on the road when they're no cars out, but that would be like 3am in the morning. I rather pedestrians be pissed off at me than car drivers. Plus there are a ton of people who ride mountain bikes on the sidewalks with no problems. Pedestrians don't care.

rjones28 

I hate getting buzzed by people on bikes, when I'm walking on the sidewalk. Especially, when I'm walking my dog.

digaz

But I'd imagine there would be more frustrated car drivers when seeing a cyclists in the road slowing down traffic.

BoSoxYacht

Sidewalks are for walking.

furiousferret

There is one block of road I ride on the sidewalk, mainly because the road has no shoulder and cars are going 80+ mph. I typically choose my routes to avoid those kind of roads, but sometimes its unavoidable.

If I named the road to local cyclists, most would nod their head, that the sidewalk is a better option.

dtrain

Riding on the sidewalk is illegal in many areas. Find some multi-use paths and low traffic streets if the busier ones make you nervous.

68venable

Sidewalk riding is not only ok but around Houston it is necessary. Do what you feel safe doing and ignore the sarcasm around here.

rpenmanparker 

Houston is a great cyclng city. Been doing it here for 30+ years. If you would like some street suggestions PM me.

benlees

Depends on your city. In general, if it is not part of a bike route then riding on the sidewalk is a no-no, by-law wise. Where I live bike routes often go from street to sidewalk then back to street; all signposted. If you are going slow and thoughtfully then most people look the other way if you are on the sidewalk.

TallTravel

I have no issues about riding on the sidewalk if it'll save my life. I don't worry about slowing traffic, I focus on safety.

Whether mountain bike or road bike, if it is significantly safer during high traffic time with 4,000 lb metal machines driving at 40 miles an hour within 6 inches of my body, I'm going to move to safety.

achoo

The problems with riding on a sidewalk:

1. No one is expecting something going 8-10 mph, or even faster.
2. Lots of view blocks, driveways, car doors, pedestrians popping out from behind view blocks, cars popping out from behind fences
3. Did I mention none of the pedestrians on the sidewalk, near the sidewalk, or about to get on the side walk are looking for bikes going 8-10 mph or even faster.
4. I think I missed mentioning that persons in cars about to cross the sidewalk, open their door over the sidewalk, pull out of or into their driveways, pop out from behind fences, buildings or other view blocks, are just not looking for bikes going 8-10 mph or even faster.

Team Sarcasm

Only if the roads are VERY dangerous, but generally:

A - I don't ride those
B - they don't have a sidewalk anyways
C. There has to be no people.

But with that being said, I don't think I have ever ridden on the sidewalk other than coming into or out of drive ways/entrances/etc

TallTravel

I see 1,000 car doors opening on the drivers side (in the bike lane) for every single car door opened on the sidewalk.

I can see people walking on sidewalks, and slow down to their walking speed, while I pass them.

For my 40 miles of commuting on asphalt roads every day, riding 1/2 mile on a sidewalk when there are no walkers is worth slowing down in the rare case where they're walking in the sidewalks.

Machka 

If you feel it is OK to break the law and do something illegal ...

If you're willing to pay the fines should law enforcement decide to stop you ...

If you're happy to make cycling more dangerous than it needs to be ...

digaz

It's not illegal or against the law here to ride bikes on sidewalks, a lot of people do it.

68venable

Some parts of town it just makes sense to ride the sidewalk. Youre doing the right thing. Just pay attention. You should do fine.

rjones28 

The law varies from town to town and state to state.

Abstractworld

whenever there is a pedestrian, i'll get off my bike and walk by them, then get back on

mox

Bikes belong on the road, pedestrians on the sidewalk.

dtrain

Taking a step back, I guess I feel lucky for the bike infrastructure around here.

Machka 

Just because lots of people do it doesn't mean that it is legal. Have you checked your local laws? I've lived in places where lots of people rode on the sidewalks, and it was illegal, and every now and then the local government would crack down on it and fine all sorts of people.