Opinion: A Surprising New Foe in the War Against Pedestrians

Allowing bikes on sidewalks pits cyclists against pedestrians, an advocate argues.

1 minute read

April 23, 2018, 8:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Biker Bike Bikes

Alex Linch / Shutterstock

In the world of active transportation, "bike and pedestrian" is often uttered in one breath—as in "bike/ped," "ped/bike," "bike+ped," etc.

But for Douglas MacDonald, former Secretary of Transportation for the state of Washington, the two are not natural allies. Rather, in places without strong infrastructure for both—where neither walkers or cyclists can safely traverse car-dominated roads—they become adversaries competing for space on the sidewalk.

In Crosscut, MacDonald outlines how he sees this dynamic playing out in Seattle, where new state legislation allows e-bikes as well as regular bikes to be ridden on sidewalks. He argues that allowing any type of bike on the sidewalk is "a throwback to an earlier time," when cyclists were fewer and sidewalks were not recognized as "special refuge for the elderly or disabled." Not only do bikes in motion endanger pedestrians, he writes, but with the introduction of dockless bikeshare to the city, parked bikes are obstructing walking paths or encroaching on lawns.

On Planetizen, Ariel Godwin and Anne M. Price have dissected the implications of cycling on sidewalks, while Michael Lewyn has argued that pedestrians and cyclists should band together to fight for infrastructure that benefits both.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 in Crosscut

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit