No they don't. I've cycled in Japan, sometimes on the side walk even though that's technically not allowed. Either you go very slow on the sidewalk or you're a

No they don't. I've cycled in Japan, sometimes on the side walk even though that's technically not allowed. Either you go very slow on the sidewalk or you're a danger to pedestrians. It is also much more dangerous for you at any intersection because cars don't expect objects traveling at bicycle speeds on the sidewalk. The safest place for a bike is a separate bike lane on the road. If no separate infrastructure exists, the next safest place is on the road.