Can you ride a Bike on the Sidewalk? 8 things You Need to Know

Taking your vehicle on the sidewalks is more challenging than riding on the roads. We want you to never compromise on safety! In this post we will explore Can you ride a Bike on the Sidewalk

Sidewalks are often taken as a better alternative when it comes to riding a bicycle/bike. When children are quite safer while riding a bicycle, adults might get into a collision with cars.

In some areas, it is not recommended to ride on sidewalks because of the risks involved. So, it is advised to learn the strategies for riding on a sidewalk before you get your hands on a bike.

Is it legal to ride on a sidewalk?

There is no rule suggesting the illegality of riding on the sidewalks. But the local government may generate some strict rules and regulations about riding on sidewalks in specific areas.

 It is desirable for riders to hop with their vehicles on sidewalks but makes pedestrians feel vulnerable.

That’s the reason this act might be prohibited in some states.

Things you need to know to have a Safe Ride

Here are some things you need to keep in mind before starting your bike on the sidewalks.

1- Riding on a sidewalk might not be simple

Apparently, sidewalks are only a safer option when the road is full of cars and other vehicles. Probably that’s the reason why it is legal in most countries whereas some of them have prohibited it because of the dangers.

Moreover, riding on a sidewalk doesn’t exclude all the threats of accidents. But things might become more dangerous when the other motorists and drivers don’t expect anyone on the sidewalks which results in big crashes.

2- Go for Protected Bike lanes as these are Life saviors

The bike infrastructure has expanded a lot in the past few years which also resulted in a rise in the number of bikes. Some states have taken this matter seriously and put up with responsible actions like allotting specified plus protected sidewalks for the bike riders.

A protected bike lane has a physical barrier that separates it from the road. This reduces the probability of crashes and also the risks involved in riding. Unlike the standard white painted sidewalks, these protected are much safer alternatives for all the riders, drivers, and pedestrians.

Some recent research also showed marked differences in the accident statistics just because now cyclists and bikers have a protected lane to ride on.

3- A slightly dark side of Protected bike lanes

The idea of sidewalks was basically for the pedestrians but when the protected sidewalks were formed. The pedestrians suffered a lot because now the number of riders on the sidewalks has increased exponentially. Moreover, the pedestrians have no other choice as they can’t walk on the road, unlike the riders.

Here a debate begins which illustrates that both the bikers and pedestrians need these lanes. So we can’t specify that only for bikers. Also, it was observed that the number of bikers increased after the emergence of these protected lanes, which was absolutely undesired.

4- Don’t be a pain for Pedestrians

folks from the Bikers association support the idea of being extra kind towards the pedestrians and gently sharing the space. It’s recommended to act as a guest when on a sidewalk and greet the people you pass by.

Also, the local cyclists’ associations encourage the riders to be slow and ring before surpassing any pedestrian.

It’s highly unethical to just bump into pedestrians and make them feel unsafe even on the sidewalks. No one wants you to ride on the sidewalk carelessly.

Are There Any Specific Rules to Ride a Bike on the Sidewalk?

There are various rules for riding depending on the state and area. However, the following are some of the generalized rules suggested by the bikers’ associations.

Don’t Speedup

Maintain a moderate speed!

If you are riding your bicycle on the sidewalk, it should not hinder the path of pedestrians in any way.

 Pedaling fast isn’t recommended while you are on the sidewalk. Increasing the speed might endanger pedestrians. This rule overshadows all the other ones.

Be gentle to pedestrians 

Keep a positive attitude towards Pedestrians!

It’s advised to be gentle when you are riding behind people walking, and be polite when asking them to let you pass.

Never bother them with unnecessary yelling and ringing the bells.

Check the driveways and cross streets

Unexpected maneuvers might cause collisions!

This is one of the dangerous aspects of riding on the sidewalk. As the drivers are used to passing by the road furiously and fastly without thinking that a rider might be crossing by the sidewalk too.

 So, it’s your job to keep the speed at slow to avoid any mishap. Moreover, the vehicles are meant to be on the road so no one expects a rider to be on the sidewalk.

Only cross the street at Crosswalks

All intersections require extra care!

If you just ruthlessly bump into a car when riding on the crosswalk. Again, remember that you don’t want to risk the lives of others so it’s better to wait for the traffic to go by.

You are likely to get hit by a car when you come hopping along the sidewalk randomly. If you want to cross the street then make sure you do it after checking out the crosswalks.

You can walk too

Sometimes It’s better to get off the bike!

If you are used to riding on a sidewalk then at times when the road is congested, you should be willing enough to get off your bike and walk a little bit.

When you see that the sidewalk is overcrowded it’s better to walk along with the pedestrians rather than hitting them up.

Wrapping up on Can you ride a Bike on the Sidewalk

So, riding a bike on the sidewalks is never easy but you just need to be a little more sensible and alert. If you follow the above-discussed rules then it won’t cause you any debt and also protects the people around you.