Please Don’t Cycle on Sidewalks
09 November 2007
Unless Specifically Directed by a Sign
Bicycles belong on the roads. Sidewalks are reserved for pedestrians only and are intended to provide a safe walking environment separate from moving vehicles, both cars and bicycles.
As a cyclist, you might feel safer on sidewalks than on busy roads but it is illegal. Research has proven that cyclists are far more likely to be involved in a collision with a vehicle when using a sidewalk, especially in the wrong direction of travel, than on the roadway. Riding on the sidewalk makes a cyclist less noticeable and less predictable to drivers, thereby increasing the risk of crashes at driveways and intersections.
Riding on sidewalks is also a hazard to pedestrians. Cyclists travel faster than walking speeds and can startle pedestrians when approaching without warning from behind, which can lead to a collision.
Cyclists are much safer on the street, following the rules of the road for drivers of vehicles. When riding on off-street trails, always use a bell to let pedestrians know you are approaching.
