As experienced Baltimore accident lawyers, Holzman & Dickriede often see clients injured after riding on the sidewalk, sometimes because they thought it was safer.
But is it legal? And does it matter if you are riding an e‑bike or e‑scooter?
The Law in Baltimore
Bikes on sidewalks are prohibited
Baltimore City Code expressly prohibits riding any bicycle on sidewalks or footways—unless signage says otherwise. That means:
- It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle on any sidewalk in Baltimore City
State law gives cities authority
While Maryland law generally prohibits motor vehicles on sidewalks, it allows local jurisdictions to make exceptions; however, Baltimore City has not. As a result, state law does not override Baltimore’s prohibition .
Why it matters
If a rider is injured while violating the sidewalk ban, that violation can be used by insurance companies or in court to argue comparative negligence, potentially reducing compensation. As a Baltimore accident attorney, I always advise staying on the road or in bike lanes to protect your rights.
Why Sidewalk Riding Went Wrong
Despite seeming safer, sidewalk cycling can be much more dangerous:
- Collision risk at driveways and intersections: Drivers don’t expect bikes there, leading to “coming out of nowhere” crashes
- Higher crash rates: Studies show sidewalk riding leads to 4–6 times more collisions compared to riding on the road.
- Accountable as a traffic violation: Riding on the sidewalk is an offense that weakens your legal standing after a crash.
Bicycle Safety in Maryland—The Costs You Bear
Hard facts from crash data
2023 city-wide figures illustrate the stakes:
- 671 bicycle crashes that resulted in injury or death
- 656 injured bicyclists and 15 fatalities.
- Baltimore has about 10 percent of the state’s population, yet accounts for 20 percent of bicycle-related deaths and 26 percent of bicycle-related injuries.
Seasonal and timing trends
- Seventy percent of bike crashes occur from May through October; more than half take place from June to September.
- The worst months are July, August, and September; the worst times are from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Common causes
- Intersections account for more than 53 percent of bike crashes.
- Drivers aged 20–29 are involved in more than 15 percent of crashes, often failing to yield or watching improperly .
What About E‑Bikes and E‑Scooters?
Regulatory status
- Maryland defines e‑bikes as motor-assisted vehicles with pedal assist, 500 watts or less, and a max speed of 20 mph .
- Baltimore City permits both e‑bikes and e‑scooters on sidewalks—but only under specific conditions:
- Adjacent roadway speed is 30 mph or higher, and
- Sidewalk speed is six miles per hour or less.
Risks to pedestrians
- National crash data show 58 percent of e‑scooter injuries happen on sidewalks, where riding is generally prohibited.
- Sidewalks are hazardous for vehicles due to higher pedestrian presence, driveway conflicts, and limited visibility.
Liability in crashes
E‑bike and e‑scooter accidents raise complex questions:
- Who owns the device?
- Was the device defective?
- Did the rider violate traffic law (e.g., sidewalk speeds)?
Maryland’s contributory negligence standard means any fault—even 1 percent—can bar you from recovering damages.
What the Law Firm Recommends
Ride legally—and safely
- Stay off sidewalks unless conditions qualify under e‑bike/scooter rules.
- Use roadways or marked bike lanes for conventional bikes.
- Wear a helmet—mandatory under 16, strongly advised for everyone else.
- Follow traffic laws: ride with traffic, signal turns, obey stop signs and lights, and yield to pedestrians.
If you are injured
As a bicycle accident lawyer in Baltimore, Holzman & Dickriede can:
- Investigate whether the other party violated traffic laws or followed safe practices.
- Gather evidence: police reports, dash-camera and surveillance footage, crash scene data, medical documentation.
- Protect your rights against fault-based excuses by insurers using risky defenses, such as sidewalk-use exclusions.
- Build your financial recovery: damages may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any long-term care costs.
Summary Table of Rules & Risks
| Vehicle Type | Sidewalk Riding Legal? | When / Where Permitted | Main Risks |
| Conventional bike | Prohibited in Baltimore City | Nowhere – even if you think it is safer | Higher collision rate vs. roads; defendants may argue fault from illegal riding |
| E‑bike | Conditional—allowed only if conditions met | Adjacent road ≥ 30 mph AND riding ≤ 6 mph on sidewalk | Increased momentum; pedestrian collision; contributory fault risk |
| E‑scooter | Same as e‑bike | See above | High sidewalk injury rates; same liability concerns |
Advice from Holzman & Dickriede
As Baltimore accident attorneys, we encourage you to:
- Ride lawfully—stay on roadways or bike lanes; only use sidewalks when lawfully permitted.
- Think ahead—especially at intersections, driveways, and during busy rush hours.
- Protect yourself by wearing a helmet and obeying all traffic rules.
- Contact us immediately if you are injured in a bicycle, e‑bike, or e‑scooter accident, whether as a rider or pedestrian hit by one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle, E-Bike, and E-Scooter Sidewalk Laws in Baltimore
Can children legally ride bikes on the sidewalk in Baltimore?
No. Baltimore’s sidewalk ban applies universally, regardless of the rider’s age. While some cities make exceptions for young children, Baltimore does not provide a legal exemption for minors. That said, law enforcement may use discretion when enforcing this rule with very young riders. For safety, we recommend supervising children and encouraging them to ride in parks or on trails instead.
Are you required to walk your bike across a crosswalk?
While Maryland law does not explicitly require bicyclists to walk across crosswalks, if you dismount and walk, you are treated as a pedestrian and gain the right-of-way protections that come with pedestrian status. If you ride through the crosswalk, you may be subject to different right-of-way rules, which can affect liability in an accident.
What if the bike lane is blocked—can I then ride on the sidewalk?
No. Even if the bike lane is obstructed, Baltimore law does not allow cyclists to use the sidewalk unless there is signage explicitly permitting it. If a lane is blocked, you must merge carefully into the traffic lane, following standard vehicular rules. Documenting the obstruction can help resolve any dispute about your positioning in the event of an accident.
Do e-bike and e-scooter riders need insurance in Maryland?
Not currently. E-bikes and most e-scooters are not considered “motor vehicles” under Maryland law, so insurance is not legally required. However, if you cause an accident while operating one, you could still be personally liable. We recommend checking with your homeowner’s or renter’s policy for potential liability coverage.
What happens if I am injured while riding illegally on the sidewalk?
If you are riding on the sidewalk in Baltimore, where it is prohibited, and you are injured in a crash, the defense may argue that your illegal riding contributed to the accident. Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule, meaning if you are even one percent at fault, you may be barred from recovering damages. This is why consulting with a bicycle accident lawyer in Baltimore is essential immediately.
Can business owners be liable if I crash due to a sidewalk hazard?
Yes. If a property owner failed to maintain a reasonably safe sidewalk—such as uneven pavement, debris, or negligent snow removal—they could be held liable under Maryland premises liability laws, even if you were not supposed to be riding on the sidewalk.
Know the Law – Protect Your Rights
- In Baltimore City, riding a conventional bike on sidewalks is illegal—a violation that can hurt your legal case if you are injured.
- E‑bikes and e‑scooters may be allowed under strict conditions, but these devices present enhanced momentum and risk, especially on sidewalks.
- Your safety—and ability to recover compensation—depends on knowing the law and riding responsibly.
At Holzman & Dickriede, we represent injured bicyclists and motor vehicle crash victims across Baltimore. If you or a loved one has been hurt, do not wait. Contact us for a free consultation with a dedicated Baltimore accident attorney experienced in bicycle, e‑bike, and e‑scooter cases, and learn how we can protect your rights and pursue full compensation.
