CfSC Policy: Sidewalk Cycling

Background

Pedestrian safety
Pedestrians travel at about 5 to 8 km/h, and do not expect to be overtaken, or to meet, traffic travelling at a much higher speed. Pedestrians tend to stop suddenly, or move sideways (either when travelling, or from a stationary position) without shoulder-checking. These circumstances can easily cause accidents, with risk of significant injury to both parties. Elderly or poor-sighted pedestrians can also be frightened by faster-moving bicycles. Child pedestrians are typically less controlled on sidewalks, and therefore also present a risk of injury to themselves or to cyclists.

Cyclist safety
The comments above regarding pedestrian safety apply equally to cyclist safety. In addition, at intersections, motorists (and cyclists) are also expecting the traffic on the sidewalk to be moving at about 5 to 8 km/h. They may not anticipate the arrival of a sidewalk cyclist at a much greater speed, and an accident may occur because the cyclist "came from nowhere". Riding up and down sidewalk curbs, and dodging pedestrians, will also increase the risk of a "falling-type" accident.

Erratic behaviour
The traffic system works relatively well because the actions of each road-user are fairly predictable. This is only the case because the rules of the road are well-known, generally understood, and followed by most road-users. The actions of pedestrians, by contrast, are significantly less predictable. This is not a major problem if the other traffic sharing the same space is also pedestrian traffic, but it becomes a significant problem when cyclists use both the road and the sidewalk. It is not uncommon for sidewalk cyclists to shift from road to sidewalk, and back, as "necessary" to avoid an obstruction. This kind of behaviour makes it almost impossible for other road-users, and pedestrians, to predict the next manouevre by the cyclist. This will increase the risk of accidents, and will also increase the ill-feeling that both road-users and pedestrians often voice towards cyclists.

The big misconception
The big misconception is that a bicycle accident is an accident between a bicycle and a car. It is on this basis that cyclists are considered to be safer on sidewalks (because they can't be hit by a car). Unfortunately there are many more types of bicycle accidents, and the risks associated with these types of accidents are generally increased if cyclists ride on the sidewalks.

Policy

Citizens for Safe Cycling (CfSC) believes that the bicycle is a vehicle and should be used on the road. CfSC does not support the designation of sidewalks for the use of cyclists as an alternative to the proper design of roads for use by all modes of transportation. CfSC believes that only in special circumstances should the use of bicycles on sidewalks be permitted, and that the decision to permit such use should take into account all the associated risks. All such facilities should be designed in accordance with the Community Cycling Manual (Canadian Institute of Planners).

Factors that must be assessed include:

Increased risk of injury to pedestrians and sidewalk cyclists due to erratic or unpredictable behaviour on the part of either party.
Increased risk of accidents between sidewalk cyclists and other vehicles at path-road intersections where the right of way is not stated or is unclear.
Confusion as to whether cyclists are permitted to ride on particular sidewalks.
Uncertain jurisdiction and lack of enforceable rules.
The risk that accidents may occur because of carelessness resulting from the misconception that sidewalks are safer because there are no cars on sidewalks.

The use of bicycles on sidewalks might be appropriate under some of the following circumstances. In all cases, the minimum requirements must include enforceable rules, and (excepting the use of sidewalks by children) clear signage designating each particular sidewalk.

Children below a certain age, or riding bicycles below a certain size (but possibly not on downtown sidewalks).
Separate paths alongside existing major roads that have few intersections and a low level of pedestrian traffic.
Elements of the existing shared pathway network.

With respect to the existing shared paths, many of these paths exist in a legal limbo-land. Responsibility and jurisdiction is uncertain, and enforceable traffic rules are almost non-existent. The responsible authorities should establish a practicable pathway code that can be applied to all paths, including sidewalks.

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Approved by the CfSC Board, May 1991