[gatorguy]

Originally Posted by Chris516

I can personally attest to the stupidity of riding on the sidewalk. I was riding on the sidewalk of a busy four-lane road. At one point, I lost my balance, due to conditions on the sidewalk. I ended up falling into the street. The driver had to hit their brakes hard. I would have been severely injured or killed, if the motorist hadn't hit their brakes.

Just to play devils advocate, what if you were riding in the street and the same thing happened? Wouldn't you have been just that much closer to the car?

As for riding the sidewalks, I've done it when it seemed prudent, but speed was not much faster than a ped. Very careful.

[London]

If Chris was in the street when he fell over he'd have been run over. Life is not guaranteed. We should learn to accept the fact that bad things happen from time to time and there is nothing that can be done to make our existence perfect and injury free.

[funetical]

But there are many thing we can do to prolong it or extend our odds. Even if it's by a small margin.

[Chris516]

Originally Posted by London

If Chris was in the street when he fell over he'd have been run over. Life is not guaranteed. We should learn to accept the fact that bad things happen from time to time and there is nothing that can be done to make our existence perfect and injury free.

But the point was, I fell off the sidewalk. Had I been in the street, the terrain(relatively clean asphalt, compared to uneven concrete slabs) would have been far better. Now, I stick to the street. My family doesn't like it. But I tell them to try riding a bike on the sidewalk. They don't come up with a retort but, it silences their argument temporarily.

[cgburns]

The argument against riding on the sidewalk is not that the injuries sustained are worse on the sidewalk - but that the risk of having any type of crash is greater on the sidewalk.

[Chris516]

Originally Posted by gatorguy

Just to play devils advocate, what if you were riding in the street and the same thing happened? Wouldn't you have been just that much closer to the car?

As for riding the sidewalks, I've done it when it seemed prudent, but speed was not much faster than a ped. Very careful.

My family said the same thing. I told them, the berth of the sidewalk is much smaller than the street AND, I have better control, when 'taking the lane'. Than I do, with a sidewalk. While I would be closer to getting hit, because of the vehicle being behind, it would already know, from my 'taking the lane', that I was there and, would be better prepared. If I fall off the sidewalk into traffic, the potential for getting hurt/killed, is greater due to sudden entrance into the traffic.

I know there are those, who would think I am nuts for 'taking the lane'. But I do it because of prior experiences hugging the curb and/or, riding on the sidewalk.

[Chris516]

Originally Posted by funetical

But there are many thing we can do to prolong it or extend our odds. Even if it's by a small margin.

That is why, as of my accident on May 14, 2008, I will no longer hug the curb. For me, hugging the curb(or riding on the sidewalk) is a death sentence.

On that day, I was 'taking the lane', on a two-lane blacktop and, gave the lane to the motorist behind me. Because, She was practically on my back wheel. I should have kept the lane and, made it so, if she wanted to pass me, she would have to go into opposing traffic to do it.

[Chris516]

Originally Posted by funetical

It's illegal to ride on the side walk here but tolerated due to unsafe cycling conditions in some places by some officers. How is it worse for us to be on the side walk?

In Maryland it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk BUT, there is a clause in state regulations, allowing the counties and small cities to amend that, pursuant to their jurisdiction.

Montgomery County is one of the jurisdictions.

[Barmy]

as an excuse for turning left in front of me hitting me. I was riding clipped in to my new Robauix doing about 30 KPH in the curb lane when my head lead the way into her right rear corner panel. The police couldn't charge her because it was her word against mine (no witnesses). Real bummer

[whyeyebike]

Originally Posted by Dean

Mostly road but I will hit the sidewalk when it's the safer option.

Same here.....