Question about riding on the SIDEWALK–input please

[mstone]

Just ignore the angry man.

[Justin Antos]

I don’t believe it’s against the rules to bike on the sidewalk outside the CBD in DC, and I’ve never heard the 10 mph thing. So I think you’re okay in the letter of the law.

But, I ride around the Hill every day, and I usually find that at much over 10-15 mph, I feel most comfortable riding on the roads on the Hill, and I see most other bikers doing the same. The Hill is generally pretty bike-friendly (avoiding certain roads like Penn. SE, Independence SE, C and H St NE). The only common exception I see is when parents are biking with their kids, e.g. to school in the morning – sidewalk riding is pretty common (and probably sensible) then. I ride on the sidewalk for the last half-block to home.

Good luck, and keep riding!

[KLizotte]

I think riding 15-20 mph is way too fast for sidewalks on the Hill. The sidewalks are narrow, there are driveways, peds aren’t looking out for bikes, it’s a residential area, etc. On most roads there cars aren’t going too fast either. On most sidewalks (esp the narrow ones) I think one should try to stay at the pace of a fast runner, no more.

In my neighborhood, we have bikers on the sidewalks frequently and it really causes problems. It’s also really irritating since the road has a very decent bike lane on one side (I can’t say the same for the other side but that’s another story). If the cyclists are travelling at the speed as a ped in the crowded areas, people don’t seem to get upset.

If there is any way you can ride on the road safely I would highly suggest doing so. I understand some roads do not allow that and one must take to the sidewalk.

Good for you for following the law though If you are uncomfortable riding in city streets, I would highly suggest taking one of the confident cycling classes sponsored by WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association).

[KLizotte]

I think riding 15-20 mph is way too fast for sidewalks on the Hill. The sidewalks are narrow, there are driveways, peds aren’t looking out for bikes, it’s a residential area, etc. On most roads there cars aren’t going too fast either. On most sidewalks (esp the narrow ones) I think one should try to stay at the pace of a fast runner, no more.

In my neighborhood, we have bikers on the sidewalks frequently and it really causes problems. It’s also really irritating since the road has a very decent bike lane on one side (I can’t say the same for the other side but that’s another story). If the cyclists are travelling at the speed as a ped in the crowded areas, people don’t seem to get upset.

If there is any way you can ride on the road safely I would highly suggest doing so. I understand some roads do not allow that and one must take to the sidewalk.

Good for you for following the law though If you are uncomfortable riding in city streets, I would highly suggest taking one of the confident cycling classes sponsored by WABA (Washington Area Bicycle Association).

[Pantangali]

Thanks, KLizotte and others, for responding.

Just to clarify, I’m guessing I was going 15-20 mph on the sidewalk, but I really don’t know, could’ve been less. I was pedaling very casually. More importantly, the sidewalk was completely empty until I encountered this guy, and I slowed down well before I got to him. Part of his tirade was that he would sue me if his dogs got tangled up with my bike, and that was never even close to happening. But I take your point, and I agree. When I come in the vicinity of pedestrians, if I have to pass within several feet of them, I slow to the speed of a walker. Still, I want to know what legal ground I’m on.

And I do plan on taking that confident cycling course. Thanks again for responding.

[PotomacCyclist]

+1 on slowing down if you are riding on the sidewalk. 20 mph is way too fast. What if someone walks out of a door or from an alley? I can understand why the guy would be upset about seeing a fast cyclist on the sidewalk.

When I ride on sidewalks, I try to fit into pedestrian traffic. Unless I can see that there is no possibility of any pedestrians walking into the sidewalk for the next 100 ft., I will barely ride faster than walking speed. If I want to ride faster, I’ll ride in the street. If it’s not safe to ride in the street, then I just accept that I’ll have to ride slowly on the sidewalk.

It’s good to know the laws but we should also use common sense and be respectful of other road, trail and sidewalk users. In the case of the sidewalk, the cyclist takes on the role of the larger and more dangerous occupant, just like a car is the larger and more dangerous vehicle on the road.

[ebubar]

I only resort to the sidewalks when the road is busy and my legs are too tired to spin at 15-20 mph. I think that sounds like a fast pace to go at, and people on the roads should be fine with it. I tend to top out at 10-12 on the uphills of north Arlington (on a good day!) and still feel pretty safe next to traffic. Occasionally the odd expensive car will honk or cut me off, but I pay taxes too and have just as much right to the road as they do!

[KLizotte]

@Pantangali 51146 wrote:

Still, I want to know what legal ground I’m on.

I’m not a lawyer but from what I’ve read and seen the law would be very fuzzy if you got tangled up with someone’s dog leashes on a sidewalk. I think whomever has the better lawyer and/or eye witness would win. Similarly, cyclists should yield to peds but what if a ped jumps out in front of you and you have no opportunity for an evasive maneuver. Again, a better lawyer and/or eye witness is your best recourse.

Unfortunately, our infrastructure hasn’t really caught up with our needs yet (completely separating cars, peds, and cyclists from each other at all times).

[Honeybadger6]

@Justin Antos 51142 wrote:

The Hill is generally pretty bike-friendly (avoiding certain roads like Penn. SE, Independence SE, C and H St NE).

In fact, when we lived on the Hill, we found the bike lane infrastructure to be pretty much the best in the city. Sometimes you have to go a block out of your way, but it’s still far faster than ducking pedestrians and getting into confrontations with stupid people. Especially in an area where there are so many people out that it’s difficult to “share” the sidewalks. If you bike in that area often, consider checking out all of the different bike lanes that can get you where you want to go to avoid this type of fun in the future!

[acc]

The Confident City Cycling Course will give you the skills you need to feel more comfortable riding in the street.

I feel much safer riding on the streets. But it took a couple of years to develop that attitude. I understand your position and just want to put it out there that you’ll get to that point too.

I just came in from a ride with Rambo, my 11-year-old son. I felt much more in control with him on the residential streets and even crossing Route 123 than I did on the W&OD. We almost wound up wearing doggie bits when one decided to walk in front of us. It was on leash that could be measured in yards, not feet.

[GoodOmens]

First and foremost – it’s pretty useless to get in a debate with someone by pulling up code and arguing that way. While you might be right, it makes you look arrogant and any stubborn person will refuse to accept fact and still continue to argue their point.

Second – riding on the sidewalk will always has it place. There are a few roads in DC I refuse to ride on and a sidewalk will always be my recourse.

Sorry to hear about your troubles but the first reply was spot on – just ignore the angry man and continue on.

[Terpfan]

If you were pedaling casually then I highly doubt you were going 20mph. Plus, you had time to have a full born little conversation with the guy, which implies to me you were going at best 5mph by that point.

Funny with him threatening to sue. Was he even carrying anything to pick up his dog’s waste? I bet not. But when people say dumb stuff like that, the little devil inside me couldn’t help but respond with something snarky like, “I once had dog filet, it tasted great” (of course total bs, but nonetheless, would be amusing). And this is why it’s best for me to keep my mouth shut.

I take the roads by Cap Hill and even then, somehow I almost hit pedestrians.

[baiskeli]

@GoodOmens 51174 wrote:

First and foremost – it’s pretty useless to get in a debate with someone by pulling up code and arguing that way. While you might be right, it makes you look arrogant and any stubborn person will refuse to accept fact and still continue to argue their point.

Well, he was only looking it up afterward. But I carry the code around with me just in case (mostly in case I encounter an uninformed police officer). I don’t see it as arrogant to know the law. A stubborn person is going to be stubborn either way. He might go home and calm down later and think about it though, I don’t know.

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