Bicycle Austin forum

This post was really interesting to me, since I almost got nailed by a car while crossing at a walk sign today.  I got online this evening to look into the logistics/legalities of the incident (i.e., who was "really" wrong?) and couldn't quite tell.  From the sounds of TomWald's reply, as well as a review of Austin's bike laws, it appears that I was indeed allowed to be on the sidewalk and cross with the walk sign.  However...man, that guy would've slammed into me, laws or no laws! 

I looked before crossing, of course, but it was the intersection at Barton Springs Dr. and Robert E. Lee, and he popped into the left turn lane onto R.E. Lee right as I started to cross.  After reading some online tips (e.g., slow to a complete stop before crossing, make eye contact with driver), I've decided that perhaps I'll just stick to street riding from now on.  It's hard to make eye contact with a driver who comes flying into the left turn lane in a minivan, just wanting to speed through the turn before more cars come.  Where does this leave us bikers, particularly at some of the less bike-friendly intersections around town?  I based my daily use of the sidewalk at the intersection today on what I've seen the majority of other local bikers doing; frankly, it's a bad spot b/c Robt. E. Lee is so narrow and the cars on Barton are all flying to/from the Mopac.  Still, it doesn't do much good for me to say "But I had the cross signal" if I get smashed by some dude in a hurry who isn't paying attention (even less so if the law isn't necessarily on my side). 

Any constructive suggestions would be greatly appreciated!  I bike to/from work every day and this is one of the few problem spots that I have yet to sort out.  (It's also perhaps the only place in town where I ride on the sidewalk.)  Thanks!