Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk often feels safer. Riders are worried about cars coming up behind them and sideswiping them or hitting them directly. To give themselves a bit more distance, they ride on the sidewalk instead of on the shoulder of the road or in the bike lane.
However, studies have found that it is actually more dangerous to ride on the sidewalk and that it results in a higher likelihood of being involved in a bicycle accident. Why is it that being further away from traffic could actually put a rider in more danger?
What do drivers expect?
The most important thing to think about is what drivers expect when operating their vehicles. As a general rule, they expect cyclists to be in the bike lane or on the far right side of the road, riding on the shoulder. This is where they will check for them when turning, overtaking, merging and much more.
Drivers do not expect cyclists to be on the sidewalk, however. This often leads to accidents when drivers are turning, as they have to cross the sidewalk to turn into a driveway, a parking lot, an alley or even a side street. They will often check the sidewalk to make sure there are no pedestrians, but cyclists move much more quickly, and drivers will not look far enough to see them.
Seeking compensation
As a cyclist, even if you follow all the rules of the road, you could still be injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver. If this happens, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.