[user104658]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

cars are unsafe too if you drive them on the pavement

Yes, “regular” bicycles as well. One of the reasons it’s so much more dangerous is that pedestrians will (generally) look before stepping out onto a road - but not when, say, stepping out of a garden gate or doorway onto a pavement. So they could literally step out in front of you with no warning. It’s still a metal object travelling at speed and can do plenty of damage, especially to a small child or elderly person (for the elderly any fall can be very serious).