Respect the pedestrian right-of-way, stay in the street

California law leaves it to locals to regulate bike riding on sidewalks, so you may find yourself somewhere else in the state where it's okay, but in San Francisco it's against the law for anyone 13 and older to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk. SF Transportation Code Sec. 7.2.12 forbids sidewalk bicycle riding, while Sec. 1007 says "Children under the age of 13 may ride a Sidewalk Bicycle on any sidewalk except as otherwise posted."

San Francisco is a bustling, vibrant city, with people going in many directions — using many means of travel: bus, streetcar, foot, bike, skateboard. This inevitably means that some conflicts will occur, as we all converge in public space.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is sometimes contacted by walkers who feel threatened and are angry about bicyclists riding on sidewalks. The SFBC position is clear that sidewalks are for walkers. Bicyclists should respect that. The SFBC's advocacy work is actively making our streets safer for bicyclists, so that more people choose to bike on the streets, and fewer people feel the need to sometimes travel on the sidewalks out of fear of traffic streets.

In fact, the #1 goal of the SFBC is to build the Citywide Bike Network - an interconnected network of bike lanes, paths, and traffic-calmed streets - so that people of all ages and skill levels have the option to bike for transportation. That means that our streets must accommodate bicyclists fully and safely. This is not only good for those choosing to bike, it also helps keep the sidewalks clear for safe walking.

The SFBC works closely with Senior Action Network on their "Sidewalks are for Pedestrians" campaign, as well as collaborating with the city's pedestrian advocacy organization, Walk San Francisco, on a host of issues that concern both pedestrians and bicyclists. WalkSF reminds everyone to yield for pedestrians at crosswalks, marked or not, in this handout (PDF).

We asked two members of WalkSF to give their perspectives on sidewalk riding by cyclists. One is also a cyclist; the other is not. Following are their thoughts.

At the SFBC we remain committed to walking with SAN and Walk San Francisco to ensure that people who choose healthy, sustainable and active means of transportation – walking and bicycling – have safe and enjoyable trips.

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Sidewalks are for walkers

by Sasha Cuttler

Sidewalks can be promenades or precipices on the edge of an abyss.

Sidewalks are precious resources or an extension of a driveway.

Sidewalks are for pedestrians -- the road is for cyclists.

As can be seen from this list, sidewalks serve many functions. While street use is defined by agencies from an automobile user's perspective, the sidewalk is pushed out of public commentary quite literally to the margin.

It's important that cyclists realize this and ally with walkers in preserving, widening, and protecting sidewalks from cars. After all, when a cyclist is walking....poof! she's a pedestrian! I see the rules of the road as being natural vs. the artificial legal system. Pedestrians are frequently cited as being "at fault" in collisions with automobiles. The reality is that those on foot or wheelchair should ALWAYS have the right of way WHEREVER they are.

Do I ride on the sidewalk? Rarely. When the road is designed to be deadly to pedestrians, the sidewalk is an appropriate alternative. Witness San Jose Avenue before the bike lane southbound. But if I am escorting my children learning to ride where shall I teach them how to yield? In traffic? I don't think so. Much better to let children learn to yield and be yielded to on the sidewalk.

But elderly and mobility impaired people are frightened by cyclists on the sidewalk so extreme caution and warning (in a friendly manner) are necessary. Personally, if I'm riding on the sidewalk, I say "Sorry! -- The cars are terrible here!" then return to the road as soon as possible.

An Afternooon with Isabella

by Greg Castillo

"Watch it," Isabella! In a flash, my six year old granddaughter and I reeled to our right, narrowly dodging a bike rider seemingly headed right at us. We were having one of our afternoon walks, and, of course we were on a San Francisco sidewalk, exactly where we were supposed to be.

Although we had a momentary fright, I have no reason to think the cyclist was being a "bully," he was just doing what he and countless others were used to doing: choosing the sidewalk over the street for bike travel. It's safer, you know.

After collecting ourselves and our dignity, Isabella asked, "Grandpa, were you scared?"

"Well, sort of. He was too close for comfort, and he shouldn't have been on the sidewalk."

"I ride my bike on the sidewalk, Grandpa."

"Yes," I said. "That's okay for kids, but not for grown ups."

"Really?" she asked.

"Yup, but lots of grown ups don't know they're supposed to bike in the street, and not on the sidewalk."

"Like cars?" she asked. "I'm not supposed to go in the street with my bicycle. Mom said so. Anyway, I'm afraid to"

"That's right, like cars, trucks and buses," I noted. "But, you're not ready for biking in the street yet. You know about bike lanes, don't you?"

"Uh huh. What are they?"

"Well, Isabella, people on bikes sometimes have a special part of the street for themselves, called bike lanes. Bike lanes are usually close to the sidewalk. Problem is, there aren't enough of them, and some bike riders think sidewalks are safer. But sidewalks are for walkers, like us today. Ask your Mom to show you a bike lane when she's driving you around."

I considered touching on how cyclists want to be treated with the same respect as other vehicles on the street, and when they ride on the sidewalks they're kind of having it "both ways." But, naw, not today. I'll cop out on that one. Face it, I'm lazy. A more detailed discussion of urban biking could lead to trying to explain Critical Mass, skateboards, in-line skates, Segways, motorcycles, and illegal sidewalk parking. Gotta conserve my energy.

"Grandpa, where do you and Grandma ride your bikes?"

"Well, once in a while we go to Golden Gate Park on the weekend, in places where no cars are allowed."

"How come?"

"Because, Grandma and I aren't really wonderful bike riders anymore, like you and your young friends. The park is safer, and no hills either. And we're too old to ride on sidewalks, remember?"

"Grandpa."

"Yes, Isabella?"

"What's a Segway? Are they fun?"

(Ouch! Who told me grand parenting would be easier?)

"Uhh - well honey. Tell you what. Why don't we go back home now and let your Mom explain Segways to you? She knows much more about them than I do."

"OK, Grandpa."