Oppo, I have a question about big city etiquette

"DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time" (dc3ls-)
05/20/2017 at 21:00 • Filed to: None

So I’m moving soon and I have a question about bike/pedestrian etiquette. So I plan on getting around some on the bike rather than the ‘Teg, because I absolutely hate driving in cities and plus it’s free exercise (Minus the cost of various bike parts.)

So anyway, there’s some bike lanes where I’m moving, but not a lot. Also, there’s practically none, or very few, pedestrians on the sidewalk. So my question is; if there’s a bike lane, but no pedestrians, is it ok to ride on the sidewalk?

Because for me it’s much safer to ride on the sidewalk than the bike lane of course. And in the rare circumstance there’s a pedestrian and not enough room, I could just ride by them in the grass.

If you’re wondering why there’s no pedestrians where I’m moving, it’s because in Texas our big cities are relatively car friendly and it’s hot as balls ten months of the year.

DISCUSSION (16)

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:07

As a cyclist, do not take the sidewalk. You are a vehicle by law and by speed. You can do tremendous amounts of damage to pedestrians stepping out of any of the various nooks and crannies or storefronts.

I ride crowded roads and in the city on occasion, I find that city traffic is used to seeing bikes.

Just my $0.02

facw > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:10

In many places (though not in Texas as far as I can tell), it is illegal to ever ride on the sidewalk. I know there are places where it is illegal to ride in the road if there’s a bike lane (excepting turns, etc.) but it seems unlikely that would be true for sidewalks. I read some white paper about cycling in Texas (maybe just Austin) which identified the sidewalk as preferred for novice riders and children, but didn’t say anything about when a lane is available, and doesn’t have the force of law anyway.

Regardless, I’d never ride on the sidewalk, too many places with bad pavement, obstructions, etc. and crossing roads on a sidewalk is going to be more dangerous because cars won’t look for you there.

Xyl0c41n3 > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:12

In Texas, bikes are considered vehicles and have to follow the same laws as motor vehicles, including riding in the road. You ride in the right lane, or as far over to the right if there’s only one lane for each direction of travel. You’ve gotta stop at all stop signs and red lights like everyone else. You can “take over” another lane (like a left turn only lane) if you need to change your direction of travel. In fact, you’re SUPPOSED to do that, and not try to make a left turn across traffic from the right lane (or bike lane if there is one).

And unlike the nonexistent motorcycle helmet laws here in Texas, when riding a bicycle it’s mandatory that you wear a helmet. It’s also mandatory that you have lights on your bike if you’re going to be riding at dawn, dusk or dark. You need a red tail light. It can flash, but it has to be visible from something like 500 feet away (I forget the exact number). And you also need a white front light (that also has to be visible from a certain distance).

Pretty much the only roads you’re not allowed on are controlled access highways (so, freeways). And a lot of places specifically prohibit bikes on sidewalks unless the sidewalk is zoned as a multi-use path, like a hike and bike trail. (Lots of cities just call certain sidewalks on certain streets “hike and bike trails”).

Check the local ordinances for the city you’re moving to by googling “City of (Houston/San Antonio/Austin” or whatever your city is, as well as “City of (X) vehicular ordinances” or “City of (X) bicycle ordinances” to make sure what laws are in place in your specific municipality. The stuff I’ve summarized here are TxDOT guidelines.

Be safe!

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > PotbellyJoe and 42 others
05/20/2017 at 21:13

Good point. I didn’t think about that fact city drives are more used to cyclists.

GS400SV650CB350-4 > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:13

You are going to get a lot of answers but I will simply add to potbelly’s. As a driver, moto-rider, and cyclist the sidewalk is is an option only and at walking speed at best. The issue really isn’t being dangerous to pedestrians if you don’t ride like a dick, it is riding through crosswalks at speed and getting clipped by a turning car. Legally, you have a right to share the lane. In practicality use your better judgement and don’t hesitate to walk your bike through a major junction like a pedestrian.

WilliamsSW > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:23

Potbelly Joe is right- you can’t ride on the sidewalk generally - may even get a ticket for it.

One thing, though, is that cities are filled with shitty drivers. It’s a mix of people who rarely drive and are scared to do it, and impatient asses who are trying to get around the first group. And many of them hate cyclists, because a lot of riders ignore red lights, stop signs, etc.

Riding a bike, you need to keep your head in the game at all times, since your butt is on the line.

I’d also really recommend planning routes to keep on wide streets with bike lanes as much as you can. And of course stay out of the door zone passing parked cars.

I don’t mean to sound all gloom and doom — I lived in Chicago for 8 years and rode all the time. It’s a great way to get around.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:24

Here in San Antonio riding a bike is a bit dicey. That being said, more and more bike lanes have been popping up over the last 5 years as the city has been making a big push to be more cycle-friendly and I think most drivers are used to seeing them. I also see a good deal of pedestrians on the sidewalks, especially during commuting hours, even in very hot weather. So I’d say stay off of the sidewalks. And also keep your head on a swivel or cars, but you should be OK. I don’t know which city you’re moving too, but I’d assume DFW and Houston are similar. Austin is already pretty bike-friendly from what I’ve seen but it might depend on the part of town.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > GS400SV650CB350-4
05/20/2017 at 21:43

That’s a good point. I’ll only need to make one left turn on my commute, so it’s probably a good idea to just walk it across.

You did bring up some good points about the side walk though. Should’ve mentioned it in the post, but there’s quite a gap between the sidewalk and any stores/apartments, since all of the places have parking lots. Plus I’d definitely be going slow on the sidewalk. I only have to go about a mile on public roads. So I won’t loose much time it I go walking speed on the sidewalk for a little bit.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/20/2017 at 21:44

I’m moving to NW SA near UTSA. Part of my commute is on DeZevala which is the part I’m worried about. Can’t remember if it has bike lanes or not, I’ll check on google street view.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 21:53

Yeah the interesection at DeZevala and IH10 is a nightmare. Is there any way you can get off the roads and take the Leon Creek greenway for most of the commute?

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
05/20/2017 at 21:59

Thankfully I don’t have to cross I-10 because I’m already on the correct side. The Leon Creek greenway is half of it, but I’ve still gotta go a little over a mile to get there.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 22:22

I don’t spend much time over there anymore (my wife used to work over near where Babcock turns into DeZevala, but that was 5 years ago), but I don’t think there are any bike lanes there. I would try driving first to get an idea of what the traffic is like. Even though it’s a 4 lane road, DeZevala traffic isn’t all that heavy once you get a few blocks west of IH10.

Danger > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/20/2017 at 23:04

Stay off the sidewalks, if you have use one, walk your bike. That’s the bike etiquette I’ve learned over the years.

Autofixation > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/21/2017 at 10:35

Some cities have ordnances against riding bikes on sidewalks, so you may want to check that. Also, if you do decide to ride on the sidewalk you essentially become a a pedestrian traveling on wheels. You need to yield to cars and wait at crosswalks. Where as if you were on the road, the cars would need to (or at least should) treat you as another vehicle. I don’t know how fast you ride, but I k ow if I rode 20mph on the sidewalk it would be rather dangerous.

TheBlacktopExperiment > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
05/21/2017 at 16:39

We have a law here in Ontario. I think it’s a 13/20 law (correct me if you are positive I’m wrong). That is, if you are over the age of 13, or have tires on your bicycle over the size of 20", you cannot ride on the sidewalk. At all. You can ride on bike paths, but I limit my speed to 20 kph (12.5 mph) if on the bike path because people are always on it and slow is safe. So it depends on the bike you have. If you have a BMX bike with tires under 20", ride on the sidewalk. If you got a mountain or a road bike, road only.

Otto-the-Croatian-'Whoops my Volvo is a sedan' > Xyl0c41n3
05/21/2017 at 17:01

Thanks for the ordinances tip, this’ll come in handy when I move to CA.