Why do some people bike on the streets instead of the sidewalks?

Question

My dad always gets sooo mad at them when hes driving, and I'm just wondering why bikers do that.

Answer 1

because a bike is a vehicle and vehicles are not legally allowed to ride on the sidewalk.

Answer 2

Your Dad is wrong, bicycles are not allowed on the sidewalk.

Bicycles go closer to the speed of cars. Pedestrians can get run over by bikes.

Your dad better read the law. You didn't say what state you are in , but these are some laws from Texas:

http://www.biketexas.org/index.php?optio...

Answer 3

Would you want bikes going as fast or faster than city traffic (25mph) on sidewalks?

Answer 4

Because bicycles are vehicles. They're supposed to be in the street, riding with traffic. Not on the sidewalk.

Answer 5

The traffic rules vary from one location to another. In most places you aren't supposed to ride a bicycle on the sidewalks. Riding a bike on the sidewalks is unsafe for both pedestrians and the cyclist.

Why does your dad get so mad? Probably because he doesn't want to share the road with them.

HTH

Answer 6

It's illegal to ride on sidealks in NC and tell your dad to get over it, and hope he never gets behind me. People that get mad at me get theirs.

Answer 7

cause the street is smooth and the sidewalk is always bumpy n wat not.

Answer 8

They ride in the street because its the LAW, any person above the age of about 13 knows that....

Oh yeah your dads a hairy ball bag for getting mad at cyclists for no reason!

Answer 9

In some locals it is required, but every city or town I've checked on normally has a clause written in allowing for bicycles to be allowed on the sidewalks, but pedestrians will have the right of way. Very few places have the laws written with a no if and or buts bikes must be on the road. There are also places bikes are not allowed, interstates are one.



OTTO in NC there is no such a law the rules are set by the town!!! Here is Winston/Salem's hand book on the subject, they list how to deal with traffic while riding on the road and SIDEWALKS.

http://www.ci.winston-salem.nc.us/Home/D...

In a few NC towns the greenway trails are connected via sidewalks.

Answer 10

Because sidewalks are for pedestrians. Bikes are considered vehicles.

My story: I used a sidewalk because I was going opposite way of traffic. Going by a person waiting for a bus. He jumped mile high never think a bike would suddenly shoot by.

Your father is so naive.

Answer 11

About a dozen people have already said it, "It is illegal to ride bicycles on sidewalks." Bicycles are VEHICLES and in most states, are covered by the same sets of laws that regulate automobiles, trucks, horse and buggies and tractors etc. They belong on the highway (street), keeping to the far right and being ridden in single file (except in Pennsylvania they can ride two abreast - dumb law).

They are subject to police enforcement, the same as drivers of cars. A cyclist can be given a traffic ticket for a violation in most states.

I have been  a police officer in two eastern states, and when on patrol, I was never bashful about writing tickets to bicyclists. careless cycling leads to lots of serious accidents.

Answer 12

because serious bikers like to ride as uninterrupted as possible to gain speed etc. On the sidewalks you have too many distractions and deviations on account of people walking, dogs, cars exiting onto the street, etc.

Answer 13

I ride quite a bit every week.  Exclusively on roadways.  People like your dad need to chill out, people get hit by car daily.  Hopefully you can educate him and explain they are just going somewhere just like him.  Share the road!

Answer 14

biking on sidewalks is illegal in most places, whereas biking on the streets is a right given by the states to bike riders.

I will say this much though, bikers are supposed to follow the same rules as cars regarding speed, signs, lights, right-of-way, etc.  If the bikers are not obeying written law, shame on them.

Your dad is a dork.

Answer 15

HEY! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! But ya, people are just dumb to bike in the street but w/e. I always do that! LOL! jk. I didnt think ur dad would really care about people biking in the street but w/e.

Answer 16

biking on sidewalks is illegal where I live (once your bike is big enough)

Answer 17

Tell your Dad he's an idiot and should read up on the law. I bet that'll make him even more mad :)

Answer 18

dear bubblebeep,

bikers who ride on the street do it so that they can have more room if they spin out of controll!!   tell your dad this and maybe he won't get so  mad sometimes!   if  you want more answers on anything  e-mail me at [e-mail]