Bicyclists Should Get on the Sidewalk

Bicyclists have a right to the road: bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists and/or bicycles are considered a vehicle in all 50 states.

In many jurisdictions, bicyclists are not legally allowed to ride on the sidewalk.

There may be no sidewalk! Even in pedestrian and bicyclist friendly Seattle, 40 percent of streets lack sidewalks on both sides. If a sidewalk exists, narrow width, poor surface quality, obstructions, other users may render it useless and unsafe for a cyclist to use.

Motorists are actually more likely to hit a bicyclist on the sidewalk than one they are passing in the street. Wrong-way riding and riding on the sidewalk are two of the biggest contributors to car/bike collisions.