If you crash, you may be found at fault if you were going too fast. Be courteous and ride cautiously. When passing a pedestrian, slow down , give an audible warning, and wait for the pedestrian to move over. A bicycle bell works best. If you must say something, make your intentions clear.
Many cities ban bikes from their downtown sidewalks.
Walk your bike on downtown sidewalks Riding on paths Paths are wider than sidewalks, but you should still ride cautiously. Ride on the right and yield to pedestrians. Be especially careful when crossing a road. When crossing a driveway or street, slow down and be sure drivers see you. Ride more slowly and alertly at night, when it's harder to see the surface and edges of the path.