Quote Originally Posted by OakLeaf View Post
NO!!! On pedestrian thoroughfares INCLUDING ALL SIDEWALKS cyclists must dismount and walk. This is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

Now, I won't deny the rare instance of cheating when there are NO pedestrians on the sidewalk. But as soon as I see someone on foot coming the opposite direction, I dismount to pass them. Early enough that they don't have to adjust their pace and wonder whether I'm going to. No exceptions. Bikes don't belong in pedestrian lanes.
This is not true where I live. There is a specific area in downtown DC where bicycles are not allowed on sidewalks. Elsewhere in DC cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks. They are supposed to yield to pedestrians but they don't have to dismount. Same in Virginia and Maryland - some localities might have similar no-bike areas to DC's, but in general cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks. However the safety of riding on sidewalks is debatable.

As for the OP, I'm finding more and more that riding on multi-use trails is more dangerous and frustrating than riding on the road. Between the people who are just plain not paying attention and the ones who are downright cranky and mean, it can be pretty stressful. I wish I knew the solution.