<p>Couple comments.</p>
<p>In the cities I have lived in, the sidewalk is often shielded from the roadway by parked cars, trees, or both. It wouldn’t be fair to cars for a cyclist traveling at high rates of speed to expect that a car making a right turn observe the cyclist and avoid cutting them off. From sylvan’s description of where it took place, I don’t think that parked cars blocked the view, but in many cities and sidewalks, parked cars do block the view.</p>
<p>From an engineering perspective, cars turn right from the most right travel lane. Since cars can’t drive on the sidewalk, it doesn’t make sense for bicycles to use sidewalks as travel lanes. If they do use a sidewalk as a travel lane, they should be aware of what the cars are doing in the lane to their left and cross in a manner that allows them to safely stop.</p>
<p>Also, from an engineering standpoint, in the event of a bicycle/car collision, a bicyclist is far more apt to sustain serious injuries. The cyclist should be very aware of this fact and ride in a very defensive manner giving themselves plenty of time to avoid a driver who makes a driving error. This isn’t for legal reasons or insurance purposes, but for protection of life-and-limb. It doesn’t benefit anyone to write “but I had the right-of-way” on your tombstone.</p>
<p>I bicycle a lot and enjoy it. I support bicycles on the roadway, and try to drive in a manner that accomodates them. But bicyclists need to understand that they are shouldering the burden of risk from errant cars and should ride accordingly.</p>
<p>That is one of the reasons why I do not like vehicles to slow down, stop, or try to be nice to me when I’m out riding my bike. I find a lot that someone will stop and let me cross the street - and not realize that 3 other vehicles on the road are not stopping. I will purposefully wave them on until I can find a time to cross when I am comfortable, not at the insistence of a nice driver.</p>
<p>Sylvan - hope your son has a good recovery.</p>