Do the cops care about you riding your bike on the sidewalk? (El Paso: place to live)

[nbv4]

I just moved to El Paso from Santa Barbaba CA. When I lived in SB, the cops were dicks, and were super strict about giving people a $400 ticket fr riding their bike on the sidewalk, even on streets with no pedestrians and lots of fast moving trucks on the road. Not only will they give you a $400 ticket every time, but they'll give you attitude to go with it.

Here in El Paso the cops seem very laid back. I hardly ever seen a squad car. I also hardly ever see pedestrians on the sidewalks, even though a large portion of this city has the, I have also noticed that if I'm on the sidewalk and I do see a pedestrian, the pedestrian will move to the side for me, which is never something that would never occur in Santa Barbara.

Has anyone ever been ticketed for riding their bike on the sidewalk? I wouldn't be surprised if the code of law in El Paso probably officially states bikes should not be on the sidewalk, but the cops may very well have better things to do than hassle a working class person trying to get to work on bike without getting ran over by a truck.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I used to live there growing up, but moved away decades ago. I still visit, so am familiar with the attitudes and I have to say it would not be high on their list. Heck, I would not think it would be high on anyone's list unless you were in a pedestrian zone in the downtown's of the nation.

You also have to remember where you are... TEXAS! We don't have time for that nonsense!

[kidicarus89]

Riding on the sidewalk isn't a good idea, as it can be dangerous with people pulling out of their garages, from side streets, etc.

That said, El Paso isn't a very bike-friendly place to live, so there are so high-traffic areas with no bike lane where you're probably better off on the sidewalk.

Although it is technically illegal, I've never heard of a single person being ticketed for doing it. Cops here aren't really all that familiar with bike laws anyway.

[Runner64]

This town is yet to be a bike friendly place. I ride my bike on the sidewalk everyday - much safer than the streets - and I'm pretty sure you could present facts in court that would get yourself out of a ticket should you ever get one.

[Army_Guy]

In 1.5 years, I rode over 1,200 miles on my bike in El Paso. The cops have other things to worry about. Although I did do the majority of those miles on a trail or the street, I have rode on the sidewalk before and see plenty of people, mostly kids, ride on the sidewalk. I believe that unless you run a pedestrian off the sidewalk and a cop sees it, they're not likely to pay attention. And even then it's questionable.

With so many people driving distracted, I don't blame anyone for wanting to ride on the sidewalk. On the west side, it did seem more bike friendly over there as some streets such as Resler were more than wide enough for a bike lane. No way I would try that on the far east side, traffic is just too heavy there.

BTW, there are a lot of great bike shops in EP. Definitely puts Orlando here to shame when it comes to bike shops.

[joqua]

No "serious" adult bicycle rider is going to ride on sidewalks - except in those cases where there is no alternative. As far as laws go, bicycles are generally considered to be the same as motorized vehicles as far as obeying traffic laws - with a few exceptions. Where bicycles are forbidden there are usually signs saying so. Freeway on ramps are one good example.

Off road bicycling is another matter and again is usually regulated by signs on single track trails where it's not permitted.