Do bicyclists belong on the roads or on the sidewalks?

[Sebenko]

I'm finding it hard to believe that it can in any way be hard to stay on one of these:

We need more of these.

But even when they are there, cycling on the road is harrowing at best.
I've lost count of the number of times I've almost been run over on the road.

And ever since some whiny old southern **** complained at me, I've wanted to cycle on the pavement as a "fuck you" to him. No, I've never been one for sensible or resonable reactions.

 

[Danish rage]

Road.
I've read some people above talk about footpaths designed to accomodate cyclists. Such would be a glorious thing but, alas, where I'm from, they don't exist. Cycle lanes do and they're good but often too small or right on a tiny parking shoulder, meaning that if you ride in them you risk getting door'd. Sounds hilarious but can be deadly.

Anyway, so long as everybody obeys the road rules, cyclists are only going to hold you (you being person in the car) up for a matter of ten to twenty seconds.

On the other hand, if you ride on the footpath, you have to contend with:
1. People stepping out of shop fronts.
2. Generally poor quality pavement (designed for walking, not wheels).
3. People walking dogs.
4. People backing out of driveways.
5. Footpaths suddenly ending.
Really, you need to slow way the hell down to the point where you might as well just jog to work. Which will stop people using bikes. Which will put more cars on the road. Which will lead to more pollution and congestion. Also a less fit populous. Is that really worth it because some drivers can't wait ten seconds to overtake safely?

This just need to go up there where everybody sees it again. QFT.

OT. Neither.

We have shitloads of those cycle lanes here, and they are raised for the most parts and wide too.
New roads won´t be build without, and it´s been like this the last 30 years. That is the only reasonable thing to do.

 

[QuantumT]

I think the point that a lot of people are missing is that there isn't always a bike lane. I use one when it's available (that somebody would do so should be blatantly obvious to anyone who isn't a complete moron), but it's not always an option. I'm then forced to make a decision. Should I ride on the sidewalk, where I am in control of my own safety and can ride at as slow a speed as necessary to be safe, or do I ride in the road where cars are whipping by at 50 mph?

It's a no brainer really.

I distinctly remember one time where I was riding on the sidewalk and was nearly hit by a car that wasn't paying any attention and nearly came onto the sidewalk, meaning they were exactly where I would have been if I had been in the road. My decision to ride on the sidewalk that day very likely saved my life. You're going to have a hard time convincing me to ride on the roads.

 

[Steven True]

I have seen societies that do both. I am from the U.S. but currently live in Japan where cyclists ride on the sidewalk, many cyclists in fact. Biking is such a customary mode of transport that it meaningless it call somebody a cyclist. I have to say that both work... in their contexts.

Riding on the sidewalk works in Japan because the Japanese use bicycles differently. In general they are slower than a U.S. biker and the sidewalks are wider to accommodate them and more foot traffic. The Japanese ride shopping bikes and are prepared to go at the speed of foot traffic on the sidewalk (think old ladies going to get groceries). It is rare to see somebody on a multi-geared machine, just for the fact that you can't reach the speeds necessary to justify having one.

American cyclists are usually on multi-geared machines, wearing lycra spandex, and reaching much greater speeds. This makes them a danger on sidewalks.

Personally, I MUCH prefer the way the Japanese do this. It is much safer for cyclists (keeping them away from 2 ton machines) and for pedestrians. But, it implement that solution in the US we would have to expand sidewalks (cutting into traffic lanes) and change cyclist culture, basically moving away from the "athletic" mode of cycling on high speed machines.

 

[Chatato]

I ride on roads that are mostly deserted or one way however on busy roads handling hundreds of cars I just use the side walk (Don't worry, never hit anyone).
Also where I live most places have bike paths to go on being both on and off-road.

 

[Thomas Valdez]

Easy answer! The word is sideWALK, not sideRide!
Unless you are in a stroller or wheelchair, or something, or a child, but otherwise, stay off the sidewalk.

 

[vondy]

Don't bike! That simple. Bikers have been more of a source of problems than a solution, if you look back there has been more and more fights about this since people started biking than when there was no one or so little did. Personally every biker I have come across (in London) has always been in the way, swaying on the road, pulling out without any regard for their own life or road rules and not keeping to the cycle lanes!

 

[silasbufu]

The same way you say a car is unpredictable, I'll say that bikers are even more unpredictable ( saying this as a driver of course ) . Please bikers, stay on the sidewalk, thanks.

 

[teebeeohh]

street
and if this really bugs you do something to ensure the existence of bike lanes.

 

[lettucethesallad]

After having been nearly run over about a zillion times by bicyclists, I'm inclined to say that they belong on the street. It's a vehicle after all.

 

[Mr Montmorency]

One downside of letting cyclists on the sidewalk is that smaller pedestrian vehicles will also follow. It'll leave us walkers dodging bikes, scooters, mopeds, you name it.

I find it hilarious that you consider motorised bikes in the same league as bicycles.

It's like the gateway drug theory except for transportation. If I get my fix on riding my bike on the pavement, maybe I'll get a better thrill from riding a Ducati on the pavement as well?

Also, I think when you say "walkers" you mean "pedestrians".

 

[Cazza]

Depends on how fast you plan on going. Full on with a road bike = road. slowly on your mountian bike from school = footpath.

I always use the footpath when on my bike. Where I live they aren't heavily used. I always take the grass and give a wide gap. All of my friends (mainly the cyclists) keep saying cars don't give cyclists respect and they have been run off the road a few times.

 

[Dys]

Unless bicyclists are contributing via registration fees to road maintenance, they should be kept the fuck off. Regardless of who causes a bycicle/car accident, the car driver is almost always 'technically' at risk, and the burden of dumbass bike riders with no regard for either the law or common sense is misplaced on motorists (who are already largely incompetent and struggle with simple concepts like indicating and merging).

So, naturally, since it makes sense for cyclists to use offroad paths, it is illegal for them do so on all but a few that are specifically designated. In fact, the Victorian state government is so devoted to keeping bike riders away from any sensible bike track that they are actively dividing up major roads (the kind that all but the stupidest of bike riders avoid) so they have bike lanes taking up half the road...Naturally the aforementioned stupidest of bike riders are far from capable of being able to keep themselves restrained to a single lain, and hilarity[footnote]This is a clever way of saying chaos.[/footnote] ensues.

I'm finding it hard to believe that it can in any way be hard to stay on one of these:

Honestly, if I didn't see it everyday I wouldn't believe me either. I mean, the stupid shit I see people (not just cyclists, motorists as well) do on the road is unbelievable. Where I'm from, there is only a painted line between the bike lane and the road, however the bike lanes are generally wider (were it not illegal/dangerous, it would be a trivial matter to drive a car within the boundaries of many bike lanes)....So it's a little different, and, if anything, harder to fuck up but more dangerous if you manage it.

 

[pearcinator]

Whle I dont cycle I say they should be on sidewalks cos that way they dont get in my fucking way when im driving!

Seriously...while they should be over as far as they can they normally arent and im forced to slow down and wait for them to make room for me or wait until i can overtake safely.

Get the fuck off the road bike! Motorised vehicles only!

 

[Russian_Assassin]

I'm finding it hard to believe that it can in any way be hard to stay on one of these:

This looks intriguing... Please, explain to a resident of Greece, what is this new and alien concept that this picture illustrates?

I'd say that bikes are for the road. You can be careful and not run into a car (or, to be more precise a car doesn't run into you), but on the sidewalk there are tons of old ladies just aching to jump in your way and then accuse you of riding into them.

 

[lokun489]

There are nike likes on the road in some places. Ride on the road.

 

[Boris Goodenough]

Road or in case of civilised countries: bike lanes.

 

[ad4m101]

In most cases I stay on the road and I have never had an incident with a car, I just stick to the left with plenty of enough room for them to pass me. if there's an obstruction like a parked car that wont allow room ill just slow down and let whatever car is behind me pass first. ill only go on the pavement if its very quite.