i would try to find an alternate route. If that’s not possible, i’d ride in the road because i’m more visible that way, plus it’s against my city’s bylaws to ride on the sidewalk over the age of 12
2wheelrider56 on
Always the road. Unless there is no other option the to be on the sidewalk.
Most places it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk, so you can’t or shouldn’t anway.
zachsilvey on
My first choice would be to find an alternate route, even if it was a bit longer.
But otherwise I would be riding on the road.
bikeonychus on
Next to such a multi-lane road? I would go on the sidewalk in this case. But my city also says that in these situations with a large multilane road and fast moving traffic, to use the sidewalk for safety’s sake. There’s been a lot of cyclist injuries and deaths on a stroad like this near my house, and it was cheaper for the city to allow cyclists on the usually empty sidewalk than building a dedicated cycle path.
Forward_Ninja_9736 on
Also depends on the speed/density of the cars driving by. I would guess that inflection speed is around 45 mph/70 kph given the wider shoulder.
CycleOwn83 on
Road. I’m not going to pretend I never ride on a sidewalk. But generally I prefer the street to potential conflicts with pedestrians. Though this photo doesn’t show a clearly designated bike lane, the shoulder is set off with a white border. Way better than many a road I’ve pedalled.
Rhapdodic_Wax11235 on
Road
RunningPirate on
I’d do the road, but admittedly Montague Expressway (and Lawrence, and San Tomas) are just a shitty ride.
Long_Way_Around_ on
if there’s no pedestrians in sight I might consider the sidewalk, but honestly this road looks fine to ride, shoulder/ bike lane is more than many roads have to offer.
Man_madehorrors818 on
Isn’t that a bike lane?
itsmyhotsauce on
The shoulder of the road. Where I’m supposed to be.
melona_popsicle on
road if you feel comfortable enough. i like to think of it as a reminder to cars that cyclists exist, even when having to use a less than ideal bike lane
eells on
Sidewalk, that road looks like a death trap
canned_pho on
Depends on how aggressive the people are at driving 50mph+ and giving at least 3ft when passing.
If the drivers are respectful and giant trucks are not threatening to smash me into the gutter, then the road 100%.
Not all places and drivers are the same. If this is an area full of bad drivers that aim to murder you, then I would take the sidewalk.
Police are usually understanding about this as well.
AfraidofReplies on
You’re really unlikely to be hit by behind. You’re much more likely to get hit by a right hook, which becomes even more true if you’re on the sidewalk.
I would probably try both, realistically. It doesn’t look like there’s a lot of cross streets or driveways, and the grass gives you somewhere to go if you need to pass a pedestrian. I would try the road first, and it would probably be fine. I might take the sidewalk if I was coming home with a full load of groceries because I’m less agile and sometimes a little off balance. What I really do is get as creative as possible with my route planning. Side streets, mixed use paths, large parking lots, smooth fields. I’ll be straight and admit that I do sometimes end up on the sidewalk, but it’s rare. If I end up using the same stretch of sidewalk to often, that’s a sign that I need to find a different route
BarronVonCheese on
That’s an amazing looking side walk with a slice of damn fine grass.
Express-Welder9003 on
There’s a shoulder or bike lane that looks fairly wide so that would ordinarily be where I’d ride, but if the cars are too fast or aggressive and the sidewalk is usually empty then the sidewalk is fine too. There’s a road where when I’m going to work I’ll ride on the sidewalk but at night when I’m going home and there’s less traffic I’ll ride on the road. I started off riding on the road both ways but eventually decided it wasn’t worth the aggro on my way in to work. I just want to arrive at my destination, I’m not so worried about what is “correct”.
arglarg on
Depends on my day’s mood. Typically on the road
jms1228 on
I ride on the sidewalk
kodex1717 on
“It depends”.
Sidewalks are often more dangerous because cars entering and leaving parking lots don’t check for cyclists on the sidewalk. That having been said…
Is the sidewalk smooth and straight with no displaced panels? Are there minimal driveways? Is the speed limit greater than 30 mph? If all are true, I’d probably take the sidewalk.
HandsUpWhatsUp on
I’m a daily bike commuter and aggressive urban cyclist. People choosing the road over the sidewalk *in this particular photo* are nuts.
Minute_Band_3256 on
Sidewalk
_VliegendeHollander_ on
Who in their right mind would cycle on a road with multiple lanes going in the same direction? And why do they put traffic lights on such a road? You people are crazy.
AgreeableProfession on
This has to be Florida
Edit: I stand corrected, a quick search reveals CA?
LadyFamous2005 on
4 lane road? Yeah sidewalk for me.
ifnotthefool on
Not a person in sight, so im doing sidewalk until I come across pedestrians.
MadCityVelovangelist on
Honestly, the road.
AlarmingLecture0 on
Road (or better still, parallel residential road)
Dio_Yuji on
No pedestrians? I’m taking that sidewalk
TacoBMMonster on
Sidewalk
Spank2337 on
There are many roads in my town that are not safe for riding on. The only reason I’m still alive after a lifetime of urban bicycling is because I know better than to trust drivers. So it really depends on the infra conditions. I may ride on the sidewalk for a block or so in a particularly evil traffic spot, but not generally. I find quiet routes that are out of the way. Taking time to avoid major traffic when I can is just good common sense.
mollycoddles on
Sidewalk, that’s too busy of a road for me
Mundane_Feeling_8034 on
Given the amount of lanes there, and it’s probably signed at 35 mph, I would probably take the sidewalk. You have to slow down at curb cuts, but a small price to pay to avoid being hit.
BarkleEngine on
It depends on traffic levels and speed, time of day, weather, road and sidewalk condition, and local cycling culture. This looks like a road I have near me and I do both depending.
tedlyri on
I would try to find an alternate route through neighborhood side streets running parallel to that road. There shoulder is plenty wide for bikes but that looks like a busy arterial highway and that intersection in the distance will be sketchy on a bike. But even if there’s no alternative, I would ride the road before that sidewalk.
well-filibuster on
lol, i’d find a different route. Short of that, sidewalk. No way I’m trusting the painted bike gutter to protect me from a speeder checking their texts.
If a ped comes along, I’d dismount and walk my bike, and take it slow through any intersections.
blip01 on
Take the lane, bro! s/
Jolly-Command8853 on
Is that 8 lanes of traffic? 4 in each direction? Jesus christ.
I have a similar road in my city, 4 lanes, 2×2, but the bike lane is buffered and they put up sticks in the summer. That’s only what gets me to use it. I would not ride here and choose an alt path if available.
People here saying “stay visible and you won’t get hit” must have their heads in the sand. Most drivers don’t pay attention or care anymore. Half are speeding and/or are on their phones. Getting hit isn’t a matter of if, but when.
Laserdollarz on
Road, and I would take a full lane early if needed, to cross over a right turn only lane, if one exists at the light.
PoisonMind on
Riding on the sidewalk seems safer to an inexperienced cyclist, but you have to remember that motorists do not ever check sidewalks for cross traffic before pulling out into traffic or making a turn. So the road is usually safer, since motorists can at least see you. Riding on the sidewalk also makes you a hazard to pedestrians.
That said, the sidewalk can be is safe if it is a long unbroken stretch of sidewalk with no pedestrians.
whatevendoidoyall on
How fast do you ride?
JeanneMPod on
Sidewalk, and I significantly slow down, (not that I’m a speed demon anyway) get off my bike and walk it if I scan any pedestrians in my sight so they know I’m not gonna run them down. I keep my head on a swivel if there’s any driveways too.. It’s legal in my town so that’s what I do. I don’t trust shoulders like that and if I do have an alternate route, I can take instead- I would do that.
Tjbergen on
Road
azel128 on
That’s a lot of cars on a wide road that are probably moving very fast. I’d ride somewhere else or sidewalk it if I had no other option. Bike lane does not mean safe.
fartypartner on
Grass
Prestigious_Fly8210 on
I don’t see any driveways or other places where pedestrians would be trying to come in and out of so I would probably (if another route wasn’t an option) ride slowly on the sidewalk, pathetically yielding to anyone smaller than me.
dozy_bitch on
No way I’m riding on this road.
Not to dox OP, but if I found the right place on maps this is an 8 lane expressway with a speed limit of 45mph, and a gutterlane with 2ft of usable road surface. That’s an unacceptable level of traffic stress for me. If I were where this photo was taken heading west I’d stay on the sidewalk until I could turn right on Agnew and enter the bike lane there. That loops around towards slower roads with better bike lanes by the college. If I were planning a route from home I would avoid this road altogether.
“Nice wide shoulder” my ass. If you think that’s an acceptable bike lane you’re nuts.
48 Comments
Me? Road. No question.
i would try to find an alternate route. If that’s not possible, i’d ride in the road because i’m more visible that way, plus it’s against my city’s bylaws to ride on the sidewalk over the age of 12
Always the road. Unless there is no other option the to be on the sidewalk.
Most places it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk, so you can’t or shouldn’t anway.
My first choice would be to find an alternate route, even if it was a bit longer.
But otherwise I would be riding on the road.
Next to such a multi-lane road? I would go on the sidewalk in this case. But my city also says that in these situations with a large multilane road and fast moving traffic, to use the sidewalk for safety’s sake. There’s been a lot of cyclist injuries and deaths on a stroad like this near my house, and it was cheaper for the city to allow cyclists on the usually empty sidewalk than building a dedicated cycle path.
Also depends on the speed/density of the cars driving by. I would guess that inflection speed is around 45 mph/70 kph given the wider shoulder.
Road. I’m not going to pretend I never ride on a sidewalk. But generally I prefer the street to potential conflicts with pedestrians. Though this photo doesn’t show a clearly designated bike lane, the shoulder is set off with a white border. Way better than many a road I’ve pedalled.
Road
I’d do the road, but admittedly Montague Expressway (and Lawrence, and San Tomas) are just a shitty ride.
if there’s no pedestrians in sight I might consider the sidewalk, but honestly this road looks fine to ride, shoulder/ bike lane is more than many roads have to offer.
Isn’t that a bike lane?
The shoulder of the road. Where I’m supposed to be.
road if you feel comfortable enough. i like to think of it as a reminder to cars that cyclists exist, even when having to use a less than ideal bike lane
Sidewalk, that road looks like a death trap
Depends on how aggressive the people are at driving 50mph+ and giving at least 3ft when passing.
If the drivers are respectful and giant trucks are not threatening to smash me into the gutter, then the road 100%.
Not all places and drivers are the same. If this is an area full of bad drivers that aim to murder you, then I would take the sidewalk.
Police are usually understanding about this as well.
You’re really unlikely to be hit by behind. You’re much more likely to get hit by a right hook, which becomes even more true if you’re on the sidewalk.
I would probably try both, realistically. It doesn’t look like there’s a lot of cross streets or driveways, and the grass gives you somewhere to go if you need to pass a pedestrian. I would try the road first, and it would probably be fine. I might take the sidewalk if I was coming home with a full load of groceries because I’m less agile and sometimes a little off balance. What I really do is get as creative as possible with my route planning. Side streets, mixed use paths, large parking lots, smooth fields. I’ll be straight and admit that I do sometimes end up on the sidewalk, but it’s rare. If I end up using the same stretch of sidewalk to often, that’s a sign that I need to find a different route
That’s an amazing looking side walk with a slice of damn fine grass.
There’s a shoulder or bike lane that looks fairly wide so that would ordinarily be where I’d ride, but if the cars are too fast or aggressive and the sidewalk is usually empty then the sidewalk is fine too. There’s a road where when I’m going to work I’ll ride on the sidewalk but at night when I’m going home and there’s less traffic I’ll ride on the road. I started off riding on the road both ways but eventually decided it wasn’t worth the aggro on my way in to work. I just want to arrive at my destination, I’m not so worried about what is “correct”.
Depends on my day’s mood. Typically on the road
I ride on the sidewalk
“It depends”.
Sidewalks are often more dangerous because cars entering and leaving parking lots don’t check for cyclists on the sidewalk. That having been said…
Is the sidewalk smooth and straight with no displaced panels? Are there minimal driveways? Is the speed limit greater than 30 mph? If all are true, I’d probably take the sidewalk.
I’m a daily bike commuter and aggressive urban cyclist. People choosing the road over the sidewalk *in this particular photo* are nuts.
Sidewalk
Who in their right mind would cycle on a road with multiple lanes going in the same direction? And why do they put traffic lights on such a road? You people are crazy.
This has to be Florida
Edit: I stand corrected, a quick search reveals CA?
4 lane road? Yeah sidewalk for me.
Not a person in sight, so im doing sidewalk until I come across pedestrians.
Honestly, the road.
Road (or better still, parallel residential road)
No pedestrians? I’m taking that sidewalk
Sidewalk
There are many roads in my town that are not safe for riding on. The only reason I’m still alive after a lifetime of urban bicycling is because I know better than to trust drivers. So it really depends on the infra conditions. I may ride on the sidewalk for a block or so in a particularly evil traffic spot, but not generally. I find quiet routes that are out of the way. Taking time to avoid major traffic when I can is just good common sense.
Sidewalk, that’s too busy of a road for me
Given the amount of lanes there, and it’s probably signed at 35 mph, I would probably take the sidewalk. You have to slow down at curb cuts, but a small price to pay to avoid being hit.
It depends on traffic levels and speed, time of day, weather, road and sidewalk condition, and local cycling culture. This looks like a road I have near me and I do both depending.
I would try to find an alternate route through neighborhood side streets running parallel to that road. There shoulder is plenty wide for bikes but that looks like a busy arterial highway and that intersection in the distance will be sketchy on a bike. But even if there’s no alternative, I would ride the road before that sidewalk.
lol, i’d find a different route. Short of that, sidewalk. No way I’m trusting the painted bike gutter to protect me from a speeder checking their texts.
If a ped comes along, I’d dismount and walk my bike, and take it slow through any intersections.
Take the lane, bro! s/
Is that 8 lanes of traffic? 4 in each direction? Jesus christ.
I have a similar road in my city, 4 lanes, 2×2, but the bike lane is buffered and they put up sticks in the summer. That’s only what gets me to use it. I would not ride here and choose an alt path if available.
People here saying “stay visible and you won’t get hit” must have their heads in the sand. Most drivers don’t pay attention or care anymore. Half are speeding and/or are on their phones. Getting hit isn’t a matter of if, but when.
Road, and I would take a full lane early if needed, to cross over a right turn only lane, if one exists at the light.
Riding on the sidewalk seems safer to an inexperienced cyclist, but you have to remember that motorists do not ever check sidewalks for cross traffic before pulling out into traffic or making a turn. So the road is usually safer, since motorists can at least see you. Riding on the sidewalk also makes you a hazard to pedestrians.
That said, the sidewalk can be is safe if it is a long unbroken stretch of sidewalk with no pedestrians.
How fast do you ride?
Sidewalk, and I significantly slow down, (not that I’m a speed demon anyway) get off my bike and walk it if I scan any pedestrians in my sight so they know I’m not gonna run them down. I keep my head on a swivel if there’s any driveways too.. It’s legal in my town so that’s what I do. I don’t trust shoulders like that and if I do have an alternate route, I can take instead- I would do that.
Road
That’s a lot of cars on a wide road that are probably moving very fast. I’d ride somewhere else or sidewalk it if I had no other option. Bike lane does not mean safe.
Grass
I don’t see any driveways or other places where pedestrians would be trying to come in and out of so I would probably (if another route wasn’t an option) ride slowly on the sidewalk, pathetically yielding to anyone smaller than me.
No way I’m riding on this road.
Not to dox OP, but if I found the right place on maps this is an 8 lane expressway with a speed limit of 45mph, and a gutterlane with 2ft of usable road surface. That’s an unacceptable level of traffic stress for me. If I were where this photo was taken heading west I’d stay on the sidewalk until I could turn right on Agnew and enter the bike lane there. That loops around towards slower roads with better bike lanes by the college. If I were planning a route from home I would avoid this road altogether.
“Nice wide shoulder” my ass. If you think that’s an acceptable bike lane you’re nuts.