I was told by the officials in MA that under the ADA, we are legally equivalent to pedestrians / joggers / pedal bike riders, etc. at least as long as we act like one (i.e. similar speeds, etc) and are supposed to be subject to the same rules about behavior, where we go and so forth... My general rule is to use the sidewalk if it exists and is reasonably passable (Think the streets are rough? Try the sidewalk!) but if there is no usable sidewalk I will use the street... At the same time, I think it is important to be reasonably intelligent about it - stay as close to the edge of the road as possible. I also put reflective tape all over my chair, and have fitted some truly obnoxious flashing LED bicycle lights - no excuse for not seeing me...

@ex-gooserider: really good tips! if i have to get on the road, i stick to as close to the edge of the road as possible too. and reflective tape is smart. every wheelchair should have some on it.

I use th ebike lane all of the time due to the conditions of the sidewalks where I live ans also because people in California don't seem to know how to stop behind the white line when coming out of driveways and because of this I have almost been hit on several occassions. I wear a reflective vest or jacket when I am out so that I am visable and I also have a backpack that is reflective like my jacket on the back of my chair and there is also a lot of reflective tape on the back of my chair as well. I actually spoke with the police department where I live to find out if this was okay and they told me that as long as I am not out in traffic and obey all of the traffic signs that I am okay. The other thing that I do is I also go against traffic so that the cars can see me and I can see them.

I'm not certain that the above statement is true. Or at least in my case it's not. I use the street because often times the sidewalk, if there is one, is so unleveled and trashed that it makes traversing the terrain more dangerous than joining the vehicles on the road. Non-disabled persons using sidewalks that appear to be leveled can not truly appreciate the subtle pitches, tilts, and cracks that make using a dangerous proposition for us. If the city wants us all to use the sidewalks, then the city should make ALL sidewalks available to ALL of it's citizens. I have already sacrificed air-filled tires for tires using solid foam inserts because of glass riddled walkways. I've come to realize that my wheelchair is the first thing that gets noticed about me and so I try my best keep it presentable. So, putting tape all over it isn't an option for me. But being seen and safe is very important. I use the products by "see and be safe" http://www.seeandbesafe.com/products/

@ex-Gooserider The company See And Be Safe is offering a free reflective sticker to wheelchair users for answering a ten question survey. It's a safety survey and is about wheelchair visibility. Here is the link if anyone wants it. http://www.seeandbesafe.com/surveys/