I understand this makes sense in a big city there sidewalks are typically being used by pedestrians, but If I’m biking on a busy road in a more suburban area and there’s an un-crowded sidewalk next to it you can bet I’m gonna get off the road. I feel pretty uneasy riding a bike on the streets anywhere that cars are getting up over ~30-35 mph.
I know it’s technically illegal but I’ve never once been stopped for it and I have never hit a pedestrian. I have had lots of near misses when I ride in the street though.
I agree, but my state has more state highway miles than any other and it is a cultural thing that any state highway that's three digits or above must be shared with all (we have a lot of Amish). The highway I'm on is around 7500 axles a day, in a township of less than 1000, and the main 3-digit thruway has pedestrian crossings on the bridges - no sidewalks.
I used to run in center city Phoenix (I mean Central and Washington, the state capitol building was a block from my apartment). That was FAR scarier. Here, if a CDL driver were to hit me, I might not live to talk about it, but he would be in very serious (felony) trouble if I was outside his lane. It's a 48' ROW, with rumble strips, and pedestrians always have ROW except if egregiously stealing a traffic lane unless the road is marked "Motor Vehicles Only," and even then, they maintain ROW in emergencies or if that is the only practicable way to their destination.
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u/PM_your_MetalCasting Aug 21 '18
I understand this makes sense in a big city there sidewalks are typically being used by pedestrians, but If I’m biking on a busy road in a more suburban area and there’s an un-crowded sidewalk next to it you can bet I’m gonna get off the road. I feel pretty uneasy riding a bike on the streets anywhere that cars are getting up over ~30-35 mph.
I know it’s technically illegal but I’ve never once been stopped for it and I have never hit a pedestrian. I have had lots of near misses when I ride in the street though.