Sedona AZ (April 8, 2013) – The new bike lanes in Sedona are a welcome sight for many cyclists. However, some riders still choose to ride on the sidewalk.
Sometimes fear is the motivating factor causing riders to choose the sidewalk over the roadway. Some cyclists simply feel safer on the sidewalk. But, accident statistics do not support this belief. For example, in Phoenix during 2007, 70% of bike versus motor vehicle collisions occurred when the cyclist was riding on the sidewalk just before the collision.
Sidewalks are intended to accommodate pedestrians. The mixture of bicyclists and pedestrians on sidewalks is an issue because pedestrian traffic moves substantially slower than wheeled traffic. The sense of alarm and fear that pedestrians feel due to fast moving bicycle traffic is not unlike the fear a bicyclist might feel riding in the same lane as automobile traffic.
Cyclists on sidewalks can reduce the occurrence of dangerous situations by following a few guidelines. Slow down and move to your right when approaching someone coming from the opposite direction. Announce your presence prior to passing someone from behind and proceed with caution. Always ride with the flow of traffic; drivers exiting driveways and side streets are not expecting a rider going the wrong way. When crossing a driveway or intersection, make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you.
The legality of riding on sidewalks can vary from community to community in Arizona. There is no Arizona Revised Statute that prohibits riding a bicycle on the sidewalk, but ARS 28-627 (part 8) does grant power to local authorities to regulate the operation of bicycles. Sedona police officers will use their judgment in each situation when they observe a rider on the sidewalk. If they believe a cyclist is riding in an unsafe manner, they will intervene.
