It's quite sad that a lot of people fall victim of that. You know, heading into a course because every other being is doing it as well. Simply following the crowd.
I have a friend currently doing that and I don't even have the least idea on how to draw her back and make her see reasons to give this choice of hers a second thought.

You're indeed daring to do something different, the sidetalks and every other factors regardless. Go for it gurllllllllll! 😉