I do not see anything wrong about riding on the sidewalk - providing  due respect and right of way is given to pedestrians.  Yes, I know that it is illegal, but in my suburban part of the city, sidewalks are truly the safer conduit for cyclists and little used by pedestrians.  Although virtually all motorists give proper leeway to cyclists on the road, it only takes one to cause a life changing incident - perhaps one momentarily distracted with their mobile device.  Given the legal speed limits in the suburbs (60 kph), it does not take much to veer from the straight and narrow.    I have sympathy for large vehicles, i.e. trucks,as they are often hard pressed to give regulated clearance, but they still scare me with their close proximity.  
If I were to be ticketed for my civil disobedience, I would consider it a small price to pay for my personnel safety.  Again, I stress that the pedestrian  has the right of way and must be respected.