What makes you think he's riding on the sidewalk? Riding on the sidewalk is a rookie move and anyone that rides more than once a year knows it. Author has been riding seriously for 40 years. I've been riding nearly daily for 15 years and not once have I ever come in physical contact with a pedestrian. I've been hit by 2 cars though, both times by drivers not paying attention.

>Riding on the sidewalk is a rookie move and anyone that rides more than once a year knows it.

Eh, depends on the location. My sister rode a bike every day for about 4 years (she didn't have a car). She always rode on the sidewalk because she rode at a slower pace, the sidewalks generally didn't have any people on them, and in her neighborhood if you tried to ride in the road you'd get mowed down by vehicles. There's really some places where it makes most sense to ride on the sidewalk even if you aren't supposed to.

Yes, cyclists take the sidewalk, but not cyclists who go fast.

It should be illegal to ride any vehicle w/ engine >250W capable of >12 mph speeds on the sidewalk.

Or bike lane, or cross walk. It doesn't matter where he hits the person. He is describing a literal motor vehicle it should be treated as such.

I'd say Californian law is spot on.

My understanding is that he rides the powerful ebikes in the forest when snow is on the ground. When there is no snow he rides a regular bike.

Regarding the general question of danger to pedestrians: good urban planning works wonders.