Exist many and diverse opinions about bike circulation on sidewalks, from those who think is safer for cyclists, to those who believe they are putting pedestrian at risk.
For that, we are going to talk about… is or isn’t a good option to put bikeways on sidewalks? Yes, we understand, answer is obvious, and maybe you have your cons or pros. Let’s talk more about it…
Bik ways on sidewalks, good idea
For some people, including cyclists, the construction of bike routes on sidewalks is a good idea. In that case, a bike lane wouldn’t be necessary due is possible to circulate on the sidewalk.
The main reason for this, in many occasions cyclist would be safer riding on sidewalk than avenues. After all, most of streets don’t have any physical barrier as confibicis and lane separators that keep motorists away from cyclists.
In that respect, in 2023, deputy Juan Carlos Regalado Ugarte proposed a reform to the Mobility Law of Aguascalientes, where cyclist would be allowed to transit on sidewalk under certain conditions.
Those are: when there’s no bike lane and road is flooded, cracked, broken, damaged, with bumps, on repair or with trash that harden the driving and put cyclist integrity or bike at risk.
The initiative also takes into account that drivers of non-motorized vehicles (bikes, roller skates, skates and scooters) could circulate on two ways in municipal central areas.
No changes on the regulations
Of course, till may 21st of 2024, the mobility regulations of Aguascalientes state must respect the basic transit rules as any other vehicle: don’t circulate on sidewalks, neither two ways, and always give preferences to pedestrians.
Now, the initiative of Regalado Ugarte was far from allow the construction of bike lanes in sidewalks, the truth is that he is right on one point. That point is the fact that, without matter the state or city hall of the country, exist bikeways in a terrible state, with bumps, flooded and with the minimum or zero safety according to cyclist infrastructure; complicating circulation for them and obliging them to don’t circulate on them.
Bikeways on sidewalks, bad idea
The most obvious answer is always the correct one. Should or shouldn’t bikeways be on sidewalks? You already know the answer but, we must have reasons for that.
In technical matters, the Institute for Transportation and Development of Policy (ITDP) make clear that hierarchy on priority of mobility, positions in first place, pedestrians and people with disabilities; second place, cyclists; public transport users on third, and then, motorists.
About this, the ITDP details that “according with international laws, the sidewalk must measure less than 4.9 ft of width, free of obstacles for two people can cross without interference. On primary streets with greater sizes, the minimum width is 8.2 ft”.
In addition, if is take into account that a bike lane must measure at least 4.9 ft of width, by nature wouldn’t allow the construction of bikeways on sidewalks.
Practically, would invade one to other, at last instance, as the ITDP recommends “can work (over sidewalk) if there are generous spaces of more than 4 meters and few pedestrians”.
What does cyclists say?
Before the proposals of build bikeways on sidewalks, many cyclists and groups demonstrate their discontent.
Among the arguments they mention are the highest number of cycling accidents, even in exclusive lanes, are recorded at intersections. This risk increases 6 times when constructing bikeways on sidewalks. And this infrastructure must extend on road, on the end of right lane, easing visibility, over all if turns to right.
Another reason to avoid the bike lane construction on sidewalks is due these are pedestrian circulation areas, and creates a great difference of speeds among cyclist and pedestrian. This can cause from a misunderstanding and fight to accidents. At the end, the purpose of sidewalks allows that those who walk on them do it safely.
Finally, one of the main reasons to avoid bike lanes on sidewalks is due bike is a vehicle and must be treated and used as one.
Of course this involves the correct use of bike, respect of traffic regulations by cyclists, and also make authorities stop seeing cycling as a sport or a fun activity.
Cycling, more than fun
Now, of course cycling is a sport and fun activity, but also a serious mean of transport and mobility; even, urban cycling is the labor source of hundreds of people, or the vehicle used to arrive to their labor sources.
For this reason, it worths the protection of cyclist circulation through correct implementation and construction of cycling infrastructure. Thus, motorists, cyclists and pedestrians can live together without interfere with the intended space for each one of them.
And as the ITDP mentions “and for that, is better to take the space of a car and make actions in favor of a non-pollutant vehicle that doesn’t cause severe accidents and encourage physical activity as cycling. Motorists must learn to co-exist and respect to cyclist, this results when are more visible for them (over all thinking on the right turns at intersections)”.
