Can You Ride a Bike on the Sidewalk?     

Bikes are a type of vehicle, so most people might assume they belong entirely on the road. However, sidewalk cycling is customary and acceptable in most places — but is it legal? Before you hop on two wheels and pedal your way around town, let’s find out if biking on the sidewalk is prudent or if biking on the road is the more intelligent, safer choice. 

You can ride a bike on the sidewalk, especially if there’s no bike lane, as long as it’s legal in your city.  Sidewalk cycling isn’t always the safest option, and experts recommend doing so only when there is low foot traffic. Keep in mind some essential strategies to keep yourself and others safe.   

We will discuss the legalities of riding your bike on the sidewalk, including which main cities allow it and whether or not you are exempt from traffic rules as a cyclist. Then we will discuss some strategies you can employ to help make sidewalk cycling safer for yourself and others, as well as some tips on safely riding your bike on the road — an alternative most experts agree is the safer choice. Let’s start!

Is It Legal To Bike on the Sidewalk?

It is legal to bike on the sidewalk in most cities, provided you adhere to guidelines and limitations. Sidewalk cycling is sometimes the safest option for riders in cities without proper bike lanes. Local traffic authorities can significantly reduce biking accidents in these cities by allowing bicycles on the sidewalk.

Based on a study released by the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, bike rider injuries resulting from car collisions account for 29% of total bike-related accidents. Interestingly, the introduction of bike lanes significantly reduced this alarming figure. If your city can still not provide this for riders, then biking on the sidewalk is a safe option. 

Below are some prominent cities and their laws about sidewalk cycling:

• New York. Riding your bike on the sidewalk is legal only if you’re aged 12 and below. Furthermore, those within this age bracket can only bike on the sidewalk if their wheels have a diameter of no more than 26 inches (66.04 cm). 
• San Francisco. Sidewalk cycling is legal only for children under 13, but there are particular areas where biking on sidewalks is prohibited. 
• Chicago. Bikes are generally allowed on sidewalks in Illinois, but there are specific areas where local traffic authorities prohibit this activity. Sidewalk cycling includes strict guidelines, including the understanding that pedestrians have the right of way and riders have to send audible signals before overtaking pedestrians. 
• Dallas. You can ride your bike on the sidewalks in Dallas, except in the central business district. You should observe traffic rules, travel at a safe speed, give audible signals whenever overtaking, and acknowledge that pedestrians have the right of way.
• Washington DC. The city doesn’t recommend sidewalk cycling as a safe practice, but it is legal to do so anywhere outside the central business district. Like most other cities, biking on the sidewalk means you must yield to pedestrians’ right of way and observe traffic rules at all times.  

Things To Remember When Biking on the Sidewalk

Riding on the sidewalk may feel more accessible and safer, but you must keep some essential matters in mind to keep yourself and others out of harm’s way. Or perhaps avoid eliciting the ire of many pedestrians. After all, bikers don’t have this limited space all to themselves. You will have to contend with inanimate objects—trash bins, lamp posts, potholes, pebbles, etc.— and pedestrians whose rights and safety should be of utmost importance. 

Here are some pointers worth keeping in mind:

Check Your State and local Traffic Ordinances

Before you ramp up that pavement, ensure that you are up to date with all your local traffic codes. Cycling restrictions can vary from state to state and local and area to area. Contact your local DMV to inform you of your particular traffic and public safety rules. After all, you don’t want to end up on the wrong side of the law!  

Pedal Slower When on the Sidewalk

Most sidewalks are uneven. They may have gaps or bumpy patches on the surface, making riding your bike more challenging. Moreover, there are many obstacles in your way, such as trash bins, lamp posts, trees, and people walking.

Pedal slower so you can better assess the situation.  A slower pace will also help you react quicker and more appropriately to perceived dangers and steer clear of obstructions that may cause you to lose your balance and fall. 

Be Attentive When Cycling on the Sidewalk

You might feel safer on the sidewalk than on the road, but remember that you share the space with pedestrians. You are more vulnerable on the road compared to the larger and much faster cars whizzing by. However, you may become dangerous while cycling on the sidewalk since pedestrians are practically defenseless against you and your bike. 

Always be alert and anticipate dangerous situations. Gently call out to people if you’re approaching from behind to let them know someone on a bike is passing through. Keep a safe distance from pedestrians, try to read their movements, and yield to them, so you don’t bump into each other and potentially cause injuries. 

Be Cautious When Getting Back on the Road

Sidewalk cycling can be dangerous because you practically become invisible to drivers on the road. The saying goes, “Out of sight, out of mind.” You and a road driver might be in for a huge surprise when you decide to return to the road, say at a crosswalk or an intersection. 

Look both ways before getting back on the road. Signal any oncoming vehicles you intend to return on the road, so they know what you’re about to do. Most road drivers will appreciate this gesture and will even stop to give way. 

Ride in the Same Direction As the Traffic

It is safer to ride in the same direction of traffic than opposite it. Citing the same example as above, when motorists cross or make a turn at an intersection, they logically check the direction where traffic is coming from, and rarely do they look in the opposite direction. The same is true for pedestrians when crossing the road or an intersection. 

It is best to stay predictable because it is what most motorists, pedestrians, and your fellow cyclists expect. It avoids confusion and dangerous situations where the element of surprise is most undoubtedly distressing. Riding opposite traffic — called “salmoning”—makes you 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a vehicular accident, even though you might think it would be safer if you could see the traffic flow.

Here are some other reasons why riding in the same direction as traffic is safer:

• It is safer for fellow cyclists. “Salmoning” is not safe even on bike lanes. Cycling in the opposite direction in a narrow space will confuse and may even prompt others to swerve, possibly directly into vehicular traffic. 
• It gives motorists more time to react appropriately. When you’re riding against traffic, it seems like you’re appearing out of nowhere to motorists. In this confusing situation, heading in their direction gives them little time to react appropriately. 
• You reduce the chances of collision. The effect of getting bumped from behind is less likely than being in a head-on collision. The higher your speed means a greater force of impact—and the increased risk of injury and death. 
• It would be impossible to abide by traffic rules. Road signs and traffic lights need to be visible to oncoming traffic. Seeing them would be virtually impossible if you’re riding the opposite way. You’ll potentially be running red lights, riding into one-way streets, or ignoring other pertinent signs. 
• Better illumination at night. Imagine riding at night and suddenly getting blinded by powerful headlights in your vision. This situation is a recipe for disaster. Riding with traffic at night eliminates this scenario and offers you better road illumination from vehicles’ headlights at no extra cost. 

Is It Safer To Bike on the Sidewalk Than on the Road?

Biking on the sidewalk may put you and others in more danger than if you just rode your bike on the road. After all, sidewalks cater to people on foot, and any type of vehicle on it can disrupt the natural flow and predictability of various scenarios. 

Furthermore, when biking on the sidewalk, you inadvertently become practically invisible to motorists on the road. They are predisposed to assume that everyone on the sidewalk is on foot, so when you eventually have to get back on the road (at an intersection, for instance), you may take drivers by surprise. You are at a higher risk of getting into an accident. 

Consequently, it is relatively safer to ride on the road than on the sidewalk. Bikers can cycle on the shoulder and be at a safer distance from much bigger and faster vehicles. If available, riding on bike lanes is your safest bet. Remember that whether you’re on 2 or 4 wheels, you still have to follow traffic rules and regulations. 

Tips for Cycling on the Road

More often than not, riding on the road is your safest bet, especially if there are no bike lanes. This option makes you more visible and predictable to motorists, pedestrians, and fellow cyclists. Some experts suggest cycling on the road is much safer than cycling on the sidewalk. 

Here are some tips to keep you and other people out of harm’s way:

• Wear a helmet. This advice is probably the most basic safety tip, whether riding on the road or the sidewalk. Wearing a properly fitted helmet is essential as soon as you hop onto your bike. 
• Make sure your bike is a good fit. A bike that’s the right size for you is a safe choice. An optimal riding position is what you should aim for to ride effectively. 
• Increase your visibility. Wear brightly-colored clothing. Slap on reflective patches or tapes on strategic areas, especially when riding at night, such as your helmet, arms, and legs. Stick some on your bike, like the sides of the pedals, the head tube, or behind the saddle. 
• Invest in good-quality front and rear lights. Always keep them on when the light is low, especially at night.  
• Take a lane. Instead of riding on the shoulder, close to the seeming safety of the sidewalk, it might be better to take your particular lane. Ride confidently, observe traffic rules, and always remain predictable. Bike right at the center of a lane to discourage vehicles from moving close to you or overtaking. 
• Don’t hug the curb. Don’t ride too closely to the curb if you prefer cycling on the shoulder. The unevenness of the surface may make you unbalanced and eventually cause you to lose your balance and fall. Hugging the curb also encourages aggressive motorists to overtake, potentially endangering you. 
• Keep an acceptable, steady pace. Ride at a speed that won’t cause distractions to other motorists yet will allow you to react quickly to unexpected scenarios. 
• Keep a straight course. Do not swerve from one lane to the next or between vehicles. 
• Maintain a safe space between you and other vehicles. Ensure you always have enough space to react to unexpected situations. Experts recommend keeping a distance of at least 4 feet (1.22 meters) between you and other vehicles. This distance also helps reduce the risk of being in vehicles’ blindspots. 
• Bike in a single file. When sharing the road with other cyclists, always ride in a single file. Riding 2 or 3 abreast is highly distracting and dangerous, not to mention illegal in most states. 
• Observe traffic rules. As a cyclist, you are not exempt from traffic rules. Stop when the light is red, yield at intersections, and respect the rights of pedestrians.
• Use hand signals. Signal whenever you’re changing lanes, turning, or slowing down. This signaling allows motorists to anticipate your moves and thus react accordingly. Ideally, wait for signs that concerned motorists have understood your signals before making your move. 
• Make eye contact. Make eye contact with motorists and pedestrians to confirm that they see you and know your intentions. Never assume that they have acknowledged your signals. 
• Keep an eye on what’s going on behind you. Practice slightly turning your head to see what’s happening behind you without wobbling or swerving. Do so every few minutes and whenever you sense any changes or unusual activity behind you. 
• Keep your fingers on the brake lever. Always be prepared for emergency scenarios. Keeping your fingers on your brake levers will allow you to react quickly.
• Never ride beside a vehicle making a turn. All motorists have blindspots, especially larger ones like trucks and trailers. Stay safely away from any vehicle making a turn.
• Be extra cautious and alert at intersections. This area is where most bicycle-related accidents happen.
• Watch out for road hazards. Be on the lookout for potholes, debris, puddles, or any object on the road that may cause you to lose your balance and fall. 
• Be respectful yet confident. This attitude will most likely earn you the respect of other cyclists and motorists, and they will give you the space you need. Wobbly, apprehensive, and erratic riders may make others on the road nervous, distracted, or, worse, annoyed. 

Key Takeaways

Like any vehicle, riding your bike on the sidewalk or the road comes with responsibilities. If you cycle on the sidewalk, it demands more from you as a rider because you have the upper hand—pedestrians are more vulnerable and practically defenseless against your 2-wheeled machine. 

Riding on the sidewalk comes with many conditions and expectations in most states. The bottom line is you should always be courteous and considerate of others and anticipate potential risks and dangers.