rc5781

Sorry messed up the title. The question is: Is it legal to ride on the sidewalk in your area? Yes or No.

This is the website I referred to, to conclude it is legal to right on sidewalks in most places:

https://www.bikelaw.com/2022/08/is-i...e-on-sidewalk/

jon c. 

I mostly see motorized bicycles on the sidewalk.

wolfchild

I don't know if it's legal or not here in the suburbs, all I know is that a lot of people do ride on sidewalks and police never enforce it . Some roads are just too dangerous for cycling and it's safer to by-pass them by riding on the sidewalk.

dedhed

Both - Depends on age and location. Each municipality sets their own rule and even here some parts of downtown are different.

https://city.milwaukee.gov/dpw/infra...aws-Ordinances


​​​​​​102-14. Bicycle Riding Permitted on Certain S idewalks. The commissioner of public works is authorized to mark by appropriate marks and signs that the riding of bicycles by all age groups is permitted on the sidewalk or sidewalk areas of specific portions of highways. Specific locations of bicycle routes may also be found in the common council proceedings, the official record on file in the city clerk's office, and the code on file in the legislative reference bureau. See also s. 101- 21.5 for street routes

veganbikes

Bicycles do not need to be on the sidewalk unless there is literally no other options and that is rare but occasionally happens. If you are riding with small children it makes some sense but if you are an adult not going super slow you probably should leave the sidewalks to those walking (it's in the name). However it all goes down to the human being on top of the bicycle that can cause the problems. If people understand that pedestrians come first and foremost than I guess it is not so problematic but having people that think I am on a bicycle I feel "safer" this is my place to ride move out of my way very much is.

rc5781

Yeah not, a big fan of reckless ebikers. I posted a study earlier today which stated there was an increase in accidents caused by ebikers in the Netherlands.

plumberroy

Some sidewalks down town are widened and considered shared use

drlogik 

You need to add a third answer option "It Depends". In my State you can ride on sidewalks in municipal areas except "center city" or areas were signage prohibits bikes. Here is the rule:

"Bicycles are permitted on the sidewalks in many municipalities, except in center city areas. Check local ordinances for variations on this rule."

maddog34

illegal here.

too many locals on bikes or boards running into opening doors and the customers coming thru those doors. this town has a major bike trail running through it and there are hundreds of bikes in town every sunny weekend too.

our sidewalks are pretty much limited to just the business district.... there were over 3000 bikes in town saturday..... "reach the beach" ride... i rescued a rider with a trashed rear wheel, quicky-tuned two others along the way.

maddog34

that reminds me of the "three wheeler syndrome" decades ago... the non-riders suddenly found confidence to ride because they didn't have to balance... the automatic clutches common on many worsened the problem...they would take off not knowing how to turn or stop... a wreck was the typical result....
in the case of e-bikes, non-riders suddenly think they can ride since they don't need to pedal as hard, or at all.... many will press the throttle harder when they panic.... a wreck is the typical result.

at least the e-bikes don't follow the rider and pound them into the ground like a three wheeler atv does.

mdarnton

. . . .

daihard 

I live in Seattle, WA. In both the city and the state, it is legal to operate a bicycle on the sidewalk.

Seattle: https://www.seattle.gov/transportati...es-of-the-road
WA: https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.61.261

squirtdad

the real question is: is it enforced

in my area some area are legal at a walking speed and others, like downtown san jose is illegal to ride on the sidewalk

what amazes me it that people don't get how dangerous it is to be riding even 10mph against traffic, on the sidewalk and crossing streets without slowing down

veganbikes

Keep in mind a e-bike is just a bicycle, yes it can give you assistance if you so desire but there is NO THROTTLE. A throttled machine would be called a moped and yes there is an increasing number of mopeds being incorrectly classed as bicycles but they need to be realized as mopeds. Having a crank and a tourney derailleur or whatever crap is on it does not make it a bicycle it is a moped and mopeds and other throttled vehicles do not belong anywhere on the sidewalk.

However we should also keep in mind that it is not necessarily the vehicle that is always the problem generally it is the human on top and that is where we have all the issues we have. The actual physical vehicle won't do anything without some human input unless something if faulty but again there was some form of human input at some point.

Steve B.

If my area includes New York City, then no. It is illegal for anyone over the age of 14 to ride a bike on a sidewalk in NYC. The NYPD does enforce this, especially when the beat cops are hard up to meet ticket numbers end of month, they find cyclists to grab on sidewalks. I agree that cyclists should no use sidewalks generally, especially in Manhattan, which is overwhelmed by pedestrians (in a good way). No local laws I am aware of outside NYC.

jon c. 

If we end up having a problem where I live it's likely to be with the motorized scooters. There motorized bikes never caught on in the rental market and I think the vendors have removed those but the scooters have become omnipresent around the universities and the capitol. And those are the only areas where the sidewalks have many pedestrians.

I do see a number of the cheap amazon motorized bikes on the sidewalks on the south side of town but the sidewalks there are relatively empty. Those guys are better off on the sidewalk as when they ride in the street they almost always ride against traffic.

indyfabz

Not if you are 12 or older. And never in a business district.

terrymorse 

Permitted on all sidewalks, except in business districts.

mschwett 

illegal except for children unless otherwise marked. some rights of way that look like sidewalks are actually mixed use paths, but the vast majority are sidewalks, and bikes are not allowed for adults.

Eric F 

In my immediate area, it’s prohibited. However, in the greater Los Angeles metropolitan area, it varies from city to city.

ThermionicScott 

Make up your mind, are you asking for legality or opinions?

Chuck M 

This poll needs a third option for I don't know. I checked my city's website just now and using the search function on it, I didn't find it addressed. But my town is very bicycle friendly and has promoted a "Share the Road" system for several years where grant funds have been used to erect signage and mark bike lanes through town. We also have a MUP system that connects all the major city parks and the downtown business district so there is little need for riding on sidewalks. Despite this there are a few places where cycling is a challenge but those areas also don't have sidewalks.

Overall, I see children riding up and down the sidewalks in my neighborhood not causing issues and adults using the road in the same manner.

subgrade

Legal, although formally not encouraged. The law stipulates that cyclists must ride un the carriageway, keeping to the right side, unless it is unsafe or impossible to do so, in which case they may ride on the sidewalk, not interfering with pedestrians. The exception is when there is a designated bike lane or bike path, in which case it is compulsory to ride on that.

In practice this means that most casual riders use the sidewalks, and only a small percentage deem riding in the traffic to be safe enough.

livedarklions

Illegal in NH, not even an age exception. Don't think anyone's making 3 year olds ride in the street, though.

BobbyG

Legal except where posted.