1) That is changing, as the hard core cyclists begin to realize that more bikes on the road period means more demand for proper cycling infrastructure (or at least have roads that aren't bicycle hostile -- give me more than an inch beyond the white line).
2) As it gets more popular, hopefully more education will happen. In many cases, you have a seldom used sidewalk that runs for miles next to a bicycle hostile road. Is that a sidewalk or a multi-use path?
3) State laws are catching up -- see the new classification system that California passed (different regulations based on pedal assist vs. throttle, max speed, power, etc). They seem to have struck a decent balance.
Well sure I assumed that it's actually a sidewalk, but there's no reason to be authoritarian. If there really aren't any pedestrians around then cyclists really aren't harming anyone. If one is cycling on the sidewalk and sees a pedestrian, one simply hops off the bike and walks it until the pedestrian is out of range.
Sidewalks are a lot more dangerous for bikes than you might think. The problem is cars have expectations on how fast people approach and will often assume an area is clear based on walking speed. Further even low speed collisions with pedestrians can easily send a rider into traffic.
One might err in assumptions about what I think. Parent had "seldom used sidewalk that runs for miles next to a bicycle hostile road". Obviously that is different from a regular grid of streets, where no one should cycle on the sidewalk. As soon as crosswalks appear get your ass in the street. Even in the situation the parent described, however, the presence of one pedestrian makes it a sidewalk again so no cyclist will ride and no low speed collisions will occur.
Totally agree... This is where the e-bike diverges.
Casual peddling on the sidewalk is one thing, zipping around at nearly 20 mph changes things.
Right now fast bikes are the province of serious people in spandex. When some overweight IT dude like me is moving like Lance Armstrong, that's a different story!
Why?
1. Hardcore cyclists are elitists in the US and will hate it and make life miserable for the e-bikers.
2. Non-cyclists will do dumb things in them like ride on the sidewalk.
3. Many state laws require registration and plates for these things.