# Bicycle question: Street or sidewalk? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 26, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739 "2009-05-26T22:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/1 "2009-05-26T22:57:43Z")
Its been over a decade since I owned a bike or rode one. When I was a kid, I used to ride it on the sidewalks if there was no bike lane However, since then, I’ve seen, and all of these examples are professional-looking bikers in their spandex shorts and aerodynamic helmets, I’ve noticed that some bikes, when there are no bike lanes, use the middle of the street like a car. They’ve even used the left turn lane! Are non-motor powered bikes allowed to do that? I always thought they counted as pedestrians and should stick to the sidewalk. If they are, what about scooters and roller blades, aren’t those essentially the same thing? I kind of feel that bikes should stick to the sidewalks and leave the streets to the motorized vehicles that can actually hit 40mph without breaking a sweat I live in CA, by the way ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/2 "2009-05-26T22:59:55Z")
Hmmm…I’ve always heard that a bike is like any other vehicle on the road and should be treated as such and follow the same traffic rules. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/3 "2009-05-26T23:02:06Z")
Yeah, I remember learning in school that after the age of I think 13, or 14, you had to ride in the street, and couldn’t ride on the sidewalk because that was dangerous to pedestrians. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/4 "2009-05-26T23:04:32Z")
Does that mean they could go on the freeways too? ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/5 "2009-05-26T23:05:27Z")
Here in Georgia, I believe, a bike is considered a vehicle and riders are supposed to be on the road and follow all appropriate laws (4 way stops, traffic lights, correct turn lanes, etc). There aren’t a lot of bike lanes in Atlanta, so I always felt safer on the sidewalk. Of course, even where there are bike lanes, that doesn’t mean drivers pay attention. I don’t want to say a rider deserves getting hit, but if a rider isn’t paying attention to the traffic around him, well…stupid is, as stupid rides. But, that doesn’t mean the car driver is at fault. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/6 "2009-05-26T23:05:47Z")
From the [California Vehicle Code](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm): > [@](#): > > 1. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: > > (1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. > > (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. > > (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. > > (4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. > > (b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable. So, bicycles in California are definitely allowed to use the road, to use left turn lanes, etc., etc. From the [California Driver Handbook](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/shr_slow_veh.htm#bike): > [@](#): > > Bicyclists on public streets have the same rights and responsibilities as automobile drivers. Respect the right-of-way of bicyclists because they are entitled to share the road with other drivers. Here are some critical points for drivers and cyclists to remember: > > Drivers must: > - look carefully for bicyclists before opening doors next to moving traffic or before turning right. > - safely merge toward the curb or into the bike lane. > - not overtake a bicyclist just before making a right turn. Merge first, then turn. > > Bicyclists: > - are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways. Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway. > - must ride in the same direction as other traffic, not against it. > - must ride in a straight line as near to the right curb or edge of the roadway as practical—not on the sidewalk. > - must ride single file on a busy or narrow street. > - must make left and right turns in the same way that drivers do, using the same turn lanes. > - must signal all their intentions to motorists and cyclists near them. > - may legally move left to turn left, to pass a parked or moving vehicle, another bicycle, an animal, or to make a turn, avoid debris, or other hazards. > - may choose to ride near the left curb or edge of a one-way street. > - may use a left turn lane. If the bicyclist is traveling straight ahead, he or she should use a through traffic lane rather than ride next to the curb and block traffic making right turns. > - are lawfully permitted to ride on certain sections of freeways, in some rural areas where there is no alternate route. Be careful when approaching or passing a bicyclist on a freeway. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/7 "2009-05-26T23:10:02Z")
As for this: > [@YogSosoth](#): > > I kind of feel that bikes should stick to the sidewalks and leave the streets to the motorized vehicles that can actually hit 40mph without breaking a sweat > > I live in CA, by the way Fuck that shit. I don’t want to have to dodge cyclists whenever i want to walk on a sidewalk. Allowing bikes to use the road, just like any other vehicle, is perfectly logical and reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/8 "2009-05-26T23:20:55Z")
Riding a bicycle on public roads is legal in all US states, and most countries in the world (if not all - I’ve never heard of any exceptions.) Many (perhaps most) jurisdictions in the US actually ban bicycles from sidewalks. This is also common in Europe. Children are usually exempt from this rule, however. Of course, that doesn’t mean bicycles are allowed on _all_ roads. If a particular road does not permit bicycles, there will be a “no bicycles” sign. Most freeways prohibit bicycles, but not all. About 25% of California’s freeways allow bicycles. And as for left-turn lanes, well, how else do you expect a vehicle to turn left? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/9 "2009-05-26T23:21:46Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > As for this:Fuck that shit. > > I don’t want to have to dodge cyclists whenever i want to walk on a sidewalk. Allowing bikes to use the road, just like any other vehicle, is perfectly logical and reasonable. My reasoning is that its much more dangerous for a bike to dodge a car than a pedestrian to dodge a bike. A car outweighs a man on a bike by at least 10 times but a bike and rider are maybe less than twice that of a pedestrian. Besides, where I live, there are a lot more cars than there are pedestrians. It would make more sense for the biker to use the less heavily traveled path than the street ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/10 "2009-05-26T23:23:11Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > And as for left-turn lanes, well, how else do you expect a vehicle to turn left? Crosswalk? ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/11 "2009-05-26T23:36:13Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > My reasoning is that its much more dangerous for a bike to dodge a car than a pedestrian to dodge a bike. A car outweighs a man on a bike by at least 10 times but a bike and rider are maybe less than twice that of a pedestrian. Besides, where I live, there are a lot more cars than there are pedestrians. It would make more sense for the biker to use the less heavily traveled path than the street But a bike should not have to dodge a car in the first place. Car drivers should know that the law permits bicycles to be on the road, and should accord bicycles the proper respect and courtesy. Also, in the vast majority of cases, roads are considerably wider than sidewalks, allowing plenty of room for bikes and cars to share the road. There are plenty of sidewalks in my neighborhood narrow enough to make pedestrian/bike sharing completely impracticable, and downright dangerous. Luckily, the people who make the laws about this sort of stuff have recognized, for quite a long time now, that your “reasoning” is spurious. Here’s an excerpt from a 1995 [article](http://www.vcbike.org/bikelaw/bikelaw.htm) in _Environs - Environmental Law and Policy Journal_. The article is called “Bicycles and the Law: The Case of California.” > [@](#): > > The streets, roads, and highways of California are for the benefit of all citizens, and any local attempt to restrict traffic is disfavored: > > The use of highways for purposes of travel and transportation is not a mere privilege, but a common and fundamental right, of which the public and individuals cannot rightly be deprived.… All persons have an equal right to use them for purposes of travel by proper means, and with due regard for the corresponding rights of others.[19] > > Absent express authority, localities may not determine which traffic shall and shall not use streets.[20] A bicyclist “has all the rights” of the driver of a vehicle[21]; moreover, bicycle riders have the same right as automobile drivers to the use of streets.[22] Other road users often fail to recognize this fundamental principle (and so do police and courts). It was well expressed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota as early as 1894: > > A bicycle is a vehicle used now very extensively for convenience, recreation, pleasure, and business, and the riding of one upon the public highway in the ordinary manner as is now done is neither unlawful nor prohibited, and they cannot be banished because they were not ancient vehicles, and used in the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve.[23] > > The California courts have said, more prosaically, “A bicycle … is recognized as a legitimate means of traveling upon the highways or streets of a city either for business or pleasure.”[24] > > As a direct consequence of Cal. Veh. Code § 21200 and the holdings cited supra in Rumford v. City of Berkeley,[25] Hunt v. Los Angeles Ry. Corp.,[26] and Flury v. Beeskau,[27] bicyclists are entitled to travel on all roads except those that are lawfully prohibited to them.[28] Motorists are frequently unaware of this principle, and sometimes react with anger—and occasionally with belligerent actions—when bicyclists “intrude” onto “their” roads. This response is especially likely when a separated bike path is available nearby. > > Many motorists do not know that legally, bicyclists on conventional roadways are never required to use a separated path, or even a shoulder.[29] Further, there are persuasive reasons why cyclists prefer the roadway. Like other travelers, bicyclists want to reach their destinations safely, conveniently, and with minimum delay. Paths are often indirect and disconnected; they fail to serve the cyclist’s destination; they may be poorly designed and maintained; and they are usually shared with pedestrians. The roadway has none of these drawbacks. **Nor are sidewalks or paths adjacent to a roadway safer than the road, as noncyclists and even many cyclists believe. Bicycle riders on sidewalks parallel to arterial streets have been found to suffer bicycle-car collisions 1.8 times the rate of those on the adjacent roadway (because of blind conflicts at intersections and the promotion of wrong-way travel).[30]** The conclusion that parallel paths are undesirable is accepted as fact in existing standards for bikeway design.[31] In any case, almost every bicycle trip must at some point use roadways shared with motorists, because the roadway system serves nearly every origin and destination, while bicycle facilities do not and cannot. > > Bicyclists, too, may be unaware of their right to use the roadway, ignorant of its advantages, or intimidated by belligerent motor vehicle traffic. As a result, bicyclists may be unwilling to exercise their rights under the law. A clearer statement of the law would lead to greater respect for bicyclists’ rights. Note particularly the bolded section, on the issue of safety. ---
**Author:** ![Valgard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7feea3/32.png) [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/12 "2009-05-26T23:37:48Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > I kind of feel that bikes should stick to the sidewalks and leave the streets to the motorized vehicles that can actually hit 40mph without breaking a sweat > > I live in CA, by the way I live in CA and ride a lot. As the vehicle codes cited show, bicyclists are required to use the same roads as cars and obey the same traffic laws (I do). You are free to feel that I should ride on the sidewalk however please do not act upon those feelings when you’re driving around since no matter who is right or wrong, the cyclist will be the one who is severely injured or killed. Since the speed limit on the vast majority of streets (aside from freeways) is 25mph or 35mph, whether you can drive 40mph or 400mph shouldn’t make a difference. I’m not Lance Armstrong and I’m chugging along on my mountain bike but if there’s any kind of busy traffic I am making just as good time as the cars. FWIW I try and stay off the busy thoroughfares, it just feels too dangerous. It is rare that I delay traffic for more than a few seconds and I just have to obey the same laws as any other vehicle which isn’t moving as fast as everyone else (stay to the right, let people pass, etc), and I deserve to be treated in the same way (nobody rams a freight truck out of the way because it’s “going too slow”). I know of at least one section of honest-to-goodness freeway out here (580 where it approaches the Richmond-San Rafael bridge) which has a dedicated bike lane on the right side of the freeway. No barrier, just a sign (“Caution - Bicycles On Road”) and a white line. Thinking about riding on that gives me the shivers. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/13 "2009-05-26T23:49:22Z")
> [@California Vehicle Code:](#): > > Any person operating a bicycle… shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway … IME there would be fewer problems if this were more carefully observed by bicyclists. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/14 "2009-05-26T23:50:08Z")
Sometimes sidewalks are bona fide bike routes. just before I bridge I bike across (with no sholder) there is a short on road bike lane with an arrow pointing to the sidewalk. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2009, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/15 "2009-05-26T23:50:19Z")
Here’s a news story about a guy that was arrested for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk in New Jersey: > **[FOX 5 New York](https://www.fox5ny.com/)** > > New York news, weather, traffic and sports from FOX 5 NY serving New York City, Long Island, New York, New Jersey and Westchester County. Watch breaking news live and Good Day New York. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/16 "2009-05-27T00:19:09Z")
> [@Xema](#): > > IME there would be fewer problems if this were more carefully observed by bicyclists. IME most cyclists do exactly that. Remember, “as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway” refers to what is practicable and safe for the cyclist, not to what happens to be convenient for impatient drivers. There are plenty of times, especially where there are cars parked by the side of the road, where “as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway” is actually smack in the middle of the lane. In fact, the Vehicle Code very specifically states that cyclists don’t have to ride all the way over to the right in cases where doing so would be unsafe. ---
**Author:** ![Casserole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b77776/32.png) [@Casserole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casserole)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/17 "2009-05-27T00:21:18Z")
Legally, as proven above, bicyclists should ride on the road. Personally, I do think riding on the sidewalk is better, from a safety standpoint, and only to a certain extent. As mentioned above, it is much better for everyone if a biker hit a pedestrian, as opposed to a car hitting a bike. At even slow speeds, a car could do some serious damage to a bike, and its rider. I also think it’s the “unwritten rule” for bicyclists to yield to pedestrians. I follow that, and the signs posted on the nearby trails also say the same. Granted, some don’t follow that rule and charge blindly into pedestrian’s paths, but they’re the minority, I think. In any case - riding on the sidewalk isn’t worth it when the sidewalk is busy. So it’s a judgmental grey area as to whether or not it’s a good idea. In a city like mine, where there is heavy traffic and little foot traffic, it makes much more sense to ride on the sidewalk. This is why I’ve never heard of someone being ticketed for biking on a sidewalk. Likewise, in Toronto, during mid-day, it would be murder to try to navigate through a sea of pedestrians, and riding on the road is both safer and faster. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/18 "2009-05-27T00:29:59Z")
> [@Casserole](#): > > I also think it’s the “unwritten rule” for bicyclists to yield to pedestrians. In California, the rule is not unwritten at all: > [@](#): > > Yield to all pedestrians. They can’t foresee a dangerous situation as well as you can and may be inattentive. Besides, a bicycle is required by law to yield to pedestrians. [California Department of Transportation](http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist9/bicycle/Safty_Tips.html) ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/19 "2009-05-27T00:35:43Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Crosswalk? I think you’re in the minority then - most people would expect vehicles to use the left-turn lane, if there is one. ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739/20 "2009-05-27T00:37:01Z")
How the hell do cyclists using a freeway use left lane exits? They can’t just merge through the lanes! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicycle-question-street-or-sidewalk/497739.md?page=2)