Bicycling on Sidewalks, Is it safe?

Sidewalks are not the haven from motor vehicle traffic that many bicyclists think they are. Instead, sidewalk riding puts bicyclist out of sight and out of mind of most motorists creating a potentially dangerous situation.

Many bicyclists feel safer riding on sidewalks, "out of the way of traffic," than in the street and parents often restrict their children to sidewalks for the same reason. This article explores the facts and myths of sidewalk riding. Is bicycling on the sidewalk legal?

Before discussing if bicycling on sidewalks is safe, we must first determine if it is even legal. The answer -- Sometimes.

State law prohibits operating any vehicle on a sidewalk (yes, a bicycle is a vehicle). However, state law does allow local units of government to regulate sidewalk riding. Bicyclists can use sidewalks if a local ordinance permits it.

When communities permit bicycles on sidewalks, there are often still restrictions. Typical restrictions include no sidewalk riding in business districts, and/or only allowing children under a certain age to ride on sidewalks.

Check with your local police department to see if and where sidewalk riding is permitted in your community.

Sidewalks are intended for pedestrians
When bicyclists are allowed to use sidewalks, the bicyclist must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning before passing pedestrians traveling in the same direction. When crossing a street at an intersection, bicyclists using sidewalks are treated similarly to pedestrians.

Safety
Sidewalk bicyclists have eliminated the relatively small danger of crashes with overtaking traffic but they are NOT "out of traffic" or out of the woods. In fact, the potential for more common intersection collisions has been increased.

For sidewalk riders, every driveway crossing becomes an intersection and crossing both streets and driveways is more problematic. Being "out of traffic" means being out of sight which is much more dangerous than being on the road where you can be seen.

The facts
A four year study in Madison found that 30 percent of reported bicycle crashes with cars involved a bicyclist who had been riding on the sidewalk. In over 70 percent of these crashes, the bicyclist was riding against the flow of traffic in the adjacent street.

A five year study of bicycle crashes in Neenah has similar results, 60 percent of the crashes were sidewalk related and 75 percent involved a wrong way bicyclist.

On Grand Avenue in Wausau bicyclists are prohibited from riding in the street and thus are forced to use the sidewalk. Ninety percent of bicycle crashes at Grand Avenue intersections involve wrong way bicyclists.

Out of sight means out of mind
The data makes it clear that being out of traffic is often being out of sight and out of mind for motorists. Drivers exiting or entering driveways, or turning at intersections are not looking at sidewalks for potential conflicts, although they are legally obligated to do this. Instead, they are looking to the roadway for conflicts with other motorists.

The vision of drivers at driveways and intersections is often blocked by trees, shrubs, fences, walls or buildings. Motorists can not see along the sidewalk (even if they are looking) until they are over the sidewalk, which is too late. A driver sitting at a stop sign is looking down the street for a gap in traffic. He or she should check the sidewalk in both directions before going , but typically this is not done.

Bicyclists riding the wrong way on a sidewalk are particularly vulnerable. But even riding with traffic requires extra caution when on a sidewalk.

Children
Most children are not capable of safely bicycling in traffic without an adult until they are about nine or ten years old. The complexities of traffic are just too much for their developing bodies and minds. Sidewalk riding does not place children "out of traffic" any more than it does an adult. Young bicyclists should always be accompanied by an adult.

If you choose to ride on sidewalks, or if you require you kids to stay on the sidewalk, make sure you and they understand the unique hazards presented by riding there and ride accordingly. It would be a mistake to ride on sidewalks as if nothing could happen to you.

And remember, always be aware of pedestrians on sidewalks. Slow down, or stop if necessary, to avoid interfering with them.

Arthur Ross is the pedestrian/bicycle safety coordinator for the city of Madison. He is an Effective Cycling instructor and Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin board member.