The story: this morning on my way to work I was slowly riding my bicycle out of my driveway in Palo Alto, CA, into the street, watching for incoming traffic from the left of the street. When crossing the sidewalk, I've been blindsided from my right by another cyclist (who was, of course, riding on the left sidewalk, relative to his direction). The guy knocked me down and rode over my rear wheel, thus completely ruining it. After which he said that he wasn't going to pay for my wheel, because the collision was not his fault - see, the street doesn't have the bicycle pass, so he can ride where he damn pleases. He did give his name though - Edward Berkowitz from Palo Alto.

If bicycles are permitted on the sidewalk then he is entitled to be there and the collision would probably be adjudged your fault for failing to take proper observation and then moving into his path and causing an accident.

If bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalk then he is at fault and you could take action for losses caused.