It is fine for children to ride their bikes on the sidewalk, in many cases. It’s a good way for them to learn without facing direct risks from motor vehicles. After all, a child could ride their bike around a city block without ever having to cross the street.
But as people get older, they sometimes continue to ride on the sidewalk. They feel nervous riding on the road, as if it’s more likely that they’ll be involved in an accident. So they stay on the sidewalk that they’re used to, where it feels safe.
However, studies find that it’s actually more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk. The odds of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle go up, not down. Why is it that the reality and the perception are so different when looking at this issue?
Driver expectations and invisible cyclists
When a cyclist rides on the road, drivers expect them to be in the bike lane or on the side of the travel lane. Drivers who are overtaking these bicycles could strike them from behind, but it is relatively uncommon.
What happens more often is that a driver hits a cyclist while the car is turning. When someone rides on the sidewalk, drivers do not expect them to be there and probably do not check the sidewalk before turning into a parking lot or a driveway – the cyclist is basically invisible.
The driver may check to see if someone is walking across the sidewalk, but a bike moves so much faster than a pedestrian. Even if the sidewalk looks clear, the driver will never see the approaching cyclist – or even think to look for them – on the sidewalk.
As a cyclist, knowing where to ride can lower accident odds, but you could still suffer severe injuries if you get hit by a negligent driver – even when you are correctly riding in the bike lane. Make sure you know how to seek financial compensation.