BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

I rode across the bridge on the Blvd of the Allies between Oakland and Schenley Park on the sidewalk today to appease the cagers (construction has made it single lane both ways). I did buzz a pedestrian wearing headphones though. What to do...

I don't know if sidewalk cycling is good or bad. I try my best to avoid it because about 10 years ago my sister was hit while waiting at a bus stop by sidewalk cyclist and broke her arm. Last summer a sidewalk cyclist hit my then 4 year old daughter on the sidewalk at Southside Works. (She wasn't hurt) I still think there are times when the sidewalk is necessary to use, just use caution and slow your speed way down.

I doubt any sidewalk riding cyclist will ever even make it post-gazette.com let alone that letter to the editor.

I think there are a handful of places where the sidewalk is the best alternative, but outside of those people should be riding on the road. Although, it's not up to me, and people are definitely free to ride on a sidewalk anywhere they please outside of business districts.

But, if someone is going to ride on the sidewalk there is no excuse for hitting a pedestrian - it's just as bad as a car hitting a pedestrian. There's a law requiring an audible signal when overtaking (on trails as well) that rarely gets followed. Unlike most of the harmless things people whine about bicyclists doing I think this complaint has a lot of merit and I wrote a comment saying so.

Rice Rocket brings up a good point. I try to warn pedestrians if I am ever on a sidewalk or trail, but so many of them wear headphones and are completely oblivious to my shouting "on your left" that they still startle. Someone should write a letter to the editor titled "oblivious pedestrians".

Simple rule-of-thumb when sidewalk bicycling:

"Ride no faster than a jog, give a polite audible 'excuse me' when passing a pedestrian in any direction."

An exception to this rule would be on certain sidewalks (bridges come to mind), where you can clearly see any and all pedestrians and virtually no chance of cross traffic. In these cases, I ride faster on a sidewalk. The Boulevard of the Allies Bridge is a great example Rice Rocket... probably the only one of the Schenley Bridges I regularly use its sidewalks. I don't blame people for wanting to avoid the "Schenley Speedway" there. Frankly, I'd recommend most to use the sidewalks along the Boulevard uphill from Bates to Dawson for the same reason as well. I'm far more comfortable uphill on the road at Bates than I am on the Boulevard. Bates actually has WIDE travel lanes.

Pedestrians should be required to pay a sidewalk tax, be licensed to walk, and carry insurance.

Seriously though, unless you're between 3 - 14 years old stay off the sidewalks. Bridge crossings get a pass, but alert the peds and go slow. It's a sideWALK not a sideRIDE.

@quizbot I guess runners and joggers should also go slow since it's sideWALK and not sideRUN or sideJOG.

I try to not use sidewalks at all even going through bridges. But amount of people with headphones is growing and it's always interesting to see how people got starlet by passing cyclist(s). Sometimes I got involved into conversations stating that I warned them 3 times (If I see headphones then I try to warn people before with "coming on your left!") to no avail. But recently the worst scenario was rollers with head phones on the jail trail. Pretty fast, unpredictable, and deaf in headphones

+1 on "deaf in headphones"

My commute takes me on the trail from the Strip to the Point, and then again in the Station Square area on my way home. I have a loud bell, and often will ring it 5 or 6 times before getting any reaction from a pedestrian or jogger with headphones. I have stopped using the trail in Station Square for that reason.

Seriously though, unless you're between 3 - 14 years old stay off the sidewalks

This, though like Salty, I think there are some exceptions (I use the "shared use path" along Fifth between the Birmingham Bridge and Craft Avenue). I would hate to see a law say "no bikes on sidewalks, ever" because then how do my nine and six year old boys ride to the playground down the street?

They are not concerned about the safety of pedestrians!

lolz. I guess broad sweeping generalizations are par for the course.

I ride on the sidewalk way more often than I should, but a lot of that has to do with not wanting to expose myself to aggressive rush hour drivers when I'm grinding slowly up hills.

But seriously, if there's even a handful of pedestrians (or the chance of unexpected pedestrians suddenly emerging from businesses) either get in the street or dismount and walk your bike.

Thats how my daughter got hit we were exiting a store and as soon as she stepped out onto the sidewalk.

I don't think that grinding slowly up hills is a problem at all. People do not get starlet with something moving at the same or a little bit faster.

Mikhail, I'd like to think so too, but when I'm going 8 in a 35 zone where it's not easy to pass me I'd rather be safe than sorry.

It's not the people grinding slowly up hills that's the problem, it's the guys I see every day picking their way through the crowds on Fifth Avenue past Pitt, nearly hitting pedestrians and nearly getting hit by cars in almost equal measure. It's the two 20-ish women I saw a few weeks ago ride down Liberty at night, no helmets, no lights, almost getting hit three times as they blithely rolled through intersections in front of turning cars, then crossed Liberty against a light and went the wrong way up a one-way side street (in the road).

(BTW, in my section of Lawrenceville, on the hill between Liberty & Penn, most of the kids ride, as well as run & play, in the street. The sidewalks, such as they are, are often where the adults hang out; someone around the corner from me has a massive smoker & grill on the sidewalk in front of their house; another house has patio chairs on the sidewalk, chained through the legs to the bars on their windows.)

the author of the letter walks around shadyside and oakland. that almost certainly means students. when i biked to the main campus for work, i would see several sidewalk bikers every day, often shooting out into traffic at crossings. it's shame that people don't know that sidewalk biking is more dangerous than street biking.

At least twice a week I see a cyclist on the sidewalk on South Craig Street between Forbes and Fifth. It takes a lot of willpower not to scream at them.

I routinely see cyclists on the sidewalks along Fifth between Neville and the Cathedral of Learning. I often watch cyclists hop on the sidewalk on Neville right around the "No Bikes on Sidewalk" sign that's posted there.

Yesterday I almost ran into a sidewalk biker on my bike. We were both headed towards Ellsworth Ave on Negley (from Centre). I was on the road going a little faster than them, but they were still going at a pretty good clip. I tried to signal the biker with my bell twice that I was "overtaking" them because I saw that we were going to arrive at Ellsworth roughly around the same time (me slightly ahead of them), and I was going to turn right. Well the biker didn't react like they heard me nor did they slow down or look around when they got to (and entered) the intersection. I took the turn in front of them, but they were probably only two feet from me.

I felt extremely frustrated by the situation because 1) it's enough to keep an eye on traffic on the street and pedestrians on the sidewalk while biking in the city, I don't want to have to account for a bike at full speed on the sidewalk, 2) I didn't the biker show any awareness to the danger they presented to others or themselves, and 3) I wasn't entirely sure I was in the right (the light was green for the crosswalk as well as the street, if this had been pedestrian I would have been in the wrong - though I probably would've yielded to them). Anyone had a similar instance occur to them?

I think the cyclist on the sidewalk may have had the right of way in that case. Riding on the sidewalk was legal there, and vehicles turning usually have to yield to those going straight. Not sure though.

In any case, legal or not, the oblivious sidewalk cyclist wasn't being very safe. It might have been better to slow down and let the guy do whatever he was going to do, for safety, same as if you were dealing with some swerving car. Get away from the questionable driver, no matter his vehicle, even if that means he "wins".

@Steven - Good points. You're right, I think the idea of letting them "win" was probably what drove me to be aggressive about it, which is something I need to let go of while I'm on the road. It's challenging though; who doesn't like to win?

A relative of mine was hit by a car while sidewalk biking. She lost her lawsuit because riding on the sidewalk was illegal there.

I personally try not to ride on the sidewalk, since cars look back and forth on the sidewalk only far enough to detect if there's a walking-speed person on the sidewalk. So, drivers going into and out of driveways and making turns from one street to another don't see the bicycles - makes sense they wouldn't look that far back on the sidewalk.

That said, I did one of my rare rides on sidewalks just yesterday. Needed to meet up with co-workers for breakfast at Pamela's on Forbes, and didn't remember it's one-way close to the restaurant... so for the last 1/4 mile I rode (courteously, slowly, and careful of pedestrians) on the sidewalk, because if I had to Google map bike it I would have been late. Generally, I think it's dangerous for bikers, bad for biking's reputation (since pedestrians are bothered), but every once in awhile most of us will do it and we should be very cautious for ourselves and pedestrians when we do.

I had some time to ponder this while riding the sidewalk across the 40SB and into Millvale last night. I'd never ridden there before so it was kind of a scouting trip. I'm still not sure whether I feel OK about riding on the road there - maybe it depends on which direction, and also whether there are 2 lanes or 1. Maybe it depends on day vs night. I certainly took the sidewalk on the way back. But, I'm sure there are people who ride across that bridge without a second thought, so I think that is the point - we all have different tolerances for risk. I wonder how many of the sidewalk bikers wouldn't be riding a bike at all if they were forced to mix it up with traffic. I think they are probably making a bad tradeoff in a lot of cases, and the road is actually safer, but not always.

Riding back from the ride for Mr. Price with a coworker, he showed me his daily ride to work which includes riding on the sidewalk on Penn in the area where Mr. Price was killed. Oh, and he himself also got hit nearby a few months ago and broke his collarbone. Pretty hard to tell someone that riding on the road is better there. I asked him about riding the side streets (which is how we went on the way to the ride) but he says he doesn't like narrow streets and prefers Penn since drivers have more room to pass, but he avoids the worst part by riding on the sidewalk.

I think the answer is more bike lanes.

Yeah, the 40thSB is one where I'll ride on the sidewalk if there's only 1 lane, and maybe even if there's two. People fly on it and probably paying more attention to the light ahead/traffic going the opposite direction.

As we've been saying on here, there are times where the sidewalk feels like the safer option and that's up to us to decide our own comfort level. Just as long as we're exhibiting awareness and respect for others when we do it, we won't be the subject of anyone's letter to the editor

Sometimes I will ride on the sidewalk. Usually on uphill sections and/or fast moving traffic. It just feels safer that way.

So I am following Impala26's "no faster than a jog" rule.

I also prefer the sidewalk on 40th st bridge.

Last time I rode on the sidewalk across the 40th st bridge during rush hour, I saw 14 drivers (going towards 28) interacting with a phone during the time I crossed the bridge out of about 80 cars. That's way too much distraction.

I often ride sidewalks. Of course, any asshat rding 10 mph+ on a populated sidewalk is a creepuy hazard. I dont' do that.

Any speed faster than pedestrian range on the sidewalk is unsafe. Riding out into an intersection without thoroughly slowing and looking is unsafe. Passing without warning or at speed is obnoxious and unsafe. Riding on the sidewalk with a bright light blinking into people's faces is about as obnoxious as any traveler ever is.

You see many bikers do those things, but you don't have to do them to ride on the sidewalk.

I live about 60 yards from the Blvd of the Allies/Schenley park bridge that was mentioned.

I ride the sidewalk on that. I'm cautious when passing pedestrians. For example, if I pass a baby buggy or someone carrying a child, I stop and get off my bike when passing them.

I'm slightly faster with most pedestrians on teh bridge, but still very cautious. I try not to go faster than a fast walker/slow jogger. If a pedestrian moves for me to pass, I always thank them.

On Friday and Saturday nights, around midnight, I'll assume that any driver on the road is falling down drunk. I'll get up on sidewalk rather than let them pass me on the street.

This makes travel very slow. At the same time, I have to expect any pedestrian will also be drunk and walking eratically. Sometimes, traveling through Oakland to my home, I will get off my bike and push it.

Eventually, I imagine the police response to driver and pedestrian anger at cyclists will lead to any cyclist on the sidewalk being ticketed. Like in NYC now. That will make midngiht weekend travel a lot mroe difficult for me, but I understand it.

I try to stay off the sidewalks as much as possible. I think the only section I deliberately get off the road is a busy section of Braddock near my neighborhood where the roads are tight, the drivers are impatient, and there's really little foot traffic anyway.

I see a lot of sidewalk bikers around CMU campus, students just going to class probably.

Once the constructions signs are gone, the upstream 40SB sidewalk might be quite preferable to the street. I've never had a bad experience dealing with a pedestrian along there, despite it being narrow.

On the city side, being careful about it, stay on the sidewalk around the end of the bridge until you're on that quiet street, go under the bridge, then through that gap in the jersey barriers, which will let you get into the Strip and Downtown without encountering any traffic. Plus getting over to Foster or Willow Streets to get into L'ville without dealing with Butler St.

I was under the impression that it was illegal for cyclists to ride on the sidewalk.

stefb - in "business districts", specifically. The definition of that though is rather loose, I believe.

Oakland would certainly qualify as a business district.

@stefb - There are some bridges that are marked as a bike/ped shared sidewalk (the Smithfield St. Bridge is one, and I'm guessing there are others).

I guess I didn't think of that when I posted.. I guess I should have specified sidewalks except ped sidewalks on bridges.

I will sometimes ride a sidewalk but that is only going uphill on a busy road. And me going uphill is pretty much at walking speed. So if im traveling like a pedestrian then i take sidewalk. If im traveling like a vehicle then im on the street

I have been riding carefully on sidewalks often lately. Im honestly frightened to be on most roads these days.

Rode on the sidewalk tonight because I was in a rush to get somewhere and didn't have time to deal with the mess of traffic in Oakland at 5pm. A guy was out picking up trash and I swear he looked right at me but he turned his head the other way and kept walking and we almost collided. He got pissed even after I apologized and told him I thought he saw me which is why I didn't announce my coming. I don't blame him one bit as riding on the sidewalk is so effing sketchy, esp. in Oakland. I'll never do that again.

I have had two family members hit by cyclist, but I still can't say you never should ride on sidewalks. My first month of riding was on sidewalks. There are times when riding on a sidewalk may be necessary. I would say keep your speed down, avoid congested areas and relies pedestrians especially children walk sidewalks in an unpredictable manner. Don't expect people to walk sidewalks in a strait line. And if possible just stay off the sidewalk.

Contrary to widespread belief, it is legal in PA to ride on the sidewalk in most areas; however, pedestrians have right-of-way. Sidewalk cycling is prohibited only in "business districts" and where a marked bike lane exists. 75 PaCS 3508:

§ 3508. Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths.

(a) Right-of-way to pedestrians.--A person riding a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk or pedalcycle path used by pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

(b) Business districts.--A person shall not ride a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk in a business district unless permitted by official traffic-control devices, nor when a usable pedalcycle-only lane has been provided adjacent to the sidewalk.

"Business district" is defined for the vehicle code in 75 PaCS 102:

The territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any 600 feet along the highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.

(Highway is in turn defined as essentially any publicly-accessible road.)

(BTW, the entirety of the Vehicle Code is available in HTML at http://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/75/75.HTM ; while Parts (such as "PART III. OPERATION OF VEHICLES") are not available on their own pages, individual chapters are. Here are the ones of general daily interest:

Chapter 31. General Provisions

Chapter 33. Rules of the Road in General

Chapter 35. Special Vehicles and Pedestrians

Chapter 37. Miscellaneous Provisions

32, 34, and 36 are apparently reserved for future expansion; 38 concerns driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.)

@buffalo buffalo.

Looks like I'm a criminal!

Again.

Still.

Whatever.

Various places where I'm on the sidewalk if I'm riding 1 am Saturday morning are either business districts or the sidewalk going up Forbes from Braddock next to the marked bike lane.

A painted stripe is no protection from drunkards. Sometimes the large curb doesn't seem enough - I've seen debris from a car from Forbes hitting the stone wall for the cemetary at speed. I wouldn't want to protect that wall with my body.

Mick-- I might've also called out more specifically §3502:

§ 3502. Penalty for violation of subchapter.

Any person violating any provision of this subchapter is guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $10.

I for one am definitely much more willing to pay $10 than ride a drunkful Forbes Ave. I don't even like riding Forbes through the park/cemetery when most of the drivers are likely sober...

I think that, as with many other cycling things, it's unfair to say "never." I ride on the sidewalk on West Carson between the WEC and the Ft Pitt Bridge. Not a lot lately, since my commute has changed, but that's my preferred way to go downtown.

I can't maintain West Carson's traffic speed, and I don't feel safe or happy riding the road there.

If my choice is to ride on the sidewalk, or feel unsafe and scared, I'll take the sidewalk. I use my bell and voice to warn pedestrians, and I keep the speed way down when there are places for peds and cars to cross my path.

@Salty, my credo always started 'If you're old enough to drive...' but the same sentiment. Most of the time bikes belong on the street.

That said, bridges are different animal all together -- especially bridges that empty into a highway (like 40th street).

8:15 am, Blvd of Allies, Wednesday 29 August- Police officer riding slowly (not responding to anything)eastbound on north side sidewalk, helmet not fastened. Or does this go into the police discussion? I should have rung my bell to him.

Some Pittsburgh Police officer passed me (in my car) on First Ave by riding on the sidewalk and hopping on the street in front of me. Not that I mind, I think it's cool that they're on bikes feeling the wrath of cagers along w/ the rest of us, though I'm guessing the POLICE vest commands a little more respect than normal.

I think everybody else has pretty much covered any ideas I have about sidewalks and bikes. I think it's funny that this letter points out that cyclists ride the sidewalks because they fear for their lives on the streets, and she herself is a pedestrian, but then fails to make the leap that perhaps if drivers were safer on the streets, cyclists could join them and leave the sidewalks to kids playing hopscotch and drinking coffee at cafes. Nope, it's the cyclists fault, because cars' behavior is immutable (chose "cars'" instead of "drivers'" specifically).

on a side note - I got a call on Tuesday asking permission to print my letter to the editor from a while ago... "sometime in the next few days". Anybody know how long it takes them to sort that out?

ETA: I do agree with her that cyclists on sidewalks should behave better than I've seen them do for the most part. I think she has a point, I just think there's more to it than what she's pointed out.