Bike Law/ORS 815.280

[K'Tesh]

Despite traveling at walking speed on a sidewalk, should someone come tearing around a corner and up onto a driveway, you get hit, you get cited (presuming you live). I'm also willing to bet that you'll be more likely to be in the "and run" list of victims.

Also, if you ride after dark w/no lights, you will eventually encounter an officer who is wondering what you're up to. A lot of very stupid criminals have been caught simply because they were going ninja, and get pulled over. "Oh, it looks like you have an outstanding warrant..." Had they been using a simple light, the cop would have kept on going, and they'd still be on the loose.

And finally, the vast majority of sidewalks are pretty short. Sooner or later, you'll have to cross a street, and that's where you'll get busted.