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"bicycles shouldn't be allowed on the sidewalk because they aren't allowed on the sidewalk" isn't much of an argument.

The law isn't established at the state or federal level. It has been independently established at almost every municipality for good reasons.

"Good reasons" like "not caring about cyclists" and "make cycling more dangerous to keep people who can't afford a vehicle away from our neighborhoods"

Please don't misunderstand me. Cycling on a sidewalk is dangerous to the cyclist, particularly around driveways and intersections, where they are less visible to motorists.

In the same city on the same bike ride I and a friend have been accosted by police for both riding on the sidewalk and in the street. Different cops, blocks apart.

The law is subjective and when you’re rolling around in spandex on a multi thousand dollar road bike and a paramilitary USA “peace officer” stops you, the law doesn’t really matter. You just “yes sir” and hope to be allowed to move on

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