What's the best way to bike to work?

Question

I've been considering biking to work since I only live a few miles away. I was reading about cycling safety and most sources I came across say it is much safer to bike in the street as part of the traffic pattern rather than to ride on sidewalks and cross at crosswalks. Is this true, even if I am careful at intersections? It seems to be illogical. I'm confident in my biking ability but it just seems that you're giving motorists a big vote of confidence regarding their alertness, etc. in the age of cell phones and other distractions.

Answer 1

It depends on the route.   Sidewalks in a downtown area is not a good idea; pedestrians get in the way, and in most towns, its illegal to ride on the sidewalk.   Another factor is the width of the road; sometimes there just isnt room for a biker on the right shoulder area.   Most of the time, you ride part of the time on the sidewalk and most of the time on the road.

Answer 2

you are a vehical you need to ride with the traffic and obey the traffic signals if you live in an area that doesn't have to many hills a road bike would be your best bet you should be able to move along at 25km with out any problem where bright colored clothing so you can be seen and lights on your bike would also help a lot of the bike lights flash or pulse so its really hard to miss seeing them good luck  

Answer 3

You are a vehicle and belong on the road.

Check the laws where you are... it is illegal to cycle on the sidewalk in Ontario. Also illegal to swerve into crosswalks to avoid red lights, you gotta move (and stop) with traffic.

Answer 4

No matter what be sure to wear protective equipement.

Answer 5

I always ride on the road and I use my bike to go to work every day as I don't own a car. I have a mirror fitted to my handlebars so that I can keep an eye on traffic coming up behind me. I don't want to tempt fate but in 30 years of cycling I haven't had any accidents with cars on the open road only in car parks.

Answer 6

I'd say on the sidewalk. But I don't bike to work, or work, seeing as I'm to young

Answer 7

Yeah, bikes belong on the roads, if you are too scared to ride on the road, you will only be intimidating pedestrians on the pavement - you become what you fear. Don't ride like an idiot and you will be fine.

Answer 8

Everybody hates the cyclists who hold traffic up. Dont be one of those guys. Theres many cases where people intentionally hit them (and accidentally of course) just out of drivers going crazy because they were in the road. I wouldnt take the chance. I lived in San Jose California which has a population of close to a million and also in Fort Pierce Florida which has a population of 40,000. Although Fort Pierce is a small town compared to San Jose, they still have bike lanes next to the highway. San Jose has the same. I dont see why your town wouldnt have that so you should check. Its not the sidewalk, its like in between the sidewalk and the road. If your area doesnt have anything like that, then it must be really small, which means theres very few pedestrians. So go ahead and ride on the sidewalk I say. Illegal shmeagal. Id pay money to see a cop actually try to ticket someone for doing that.

Answer 9

in most areas it is illegal to ride on the sidewalks.  ohio and many states treat bikes like a slow moving vehicle, like a farm tractor or heavy equipment.  you are supposed to ride with traffic and follow the traffic laws.  yes, it is a leap of faith, but it is easier to move with traffic than to face pedestrians, animals and those types of things.

Answer 10

the best way to bike to work?

on a bike preferable