You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It Too

It's not all about rights, of course- cyclists themselves have to obey the rules of the road, as well as those of the pavement.

Speaking of the latter, where the width is less than 3 meters, only riders 13 and under, 70 and older, and parents transporting children are permitted to use the sidewalk.  In principle, cyclists are allowed to use the footpath only in designated sections.

In general I think it's best to avoid the pavement, as it's often congested; pedestrians and cyclists often walk or ride 2 or more abreast, change direction suddenly and without looking over their shoulder- enough said, as I could go on and on.

So make sure you've got a working headlight (rear light as well, to be safe), install brakes front and rear (if you ride a piste), observe the law- doing so will make urban cycling safer and cycling advocacy easier.