Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?

James Wamsley jawamsley at comcast.net
Wed Oct 15 15:14:00 CDT 2008 

You have to check the resolutions.  IIRC most of Alexandria is covered by a
resolution that allows bicycles on sidewalks.  The main exception was near King and
Washington.  

Matt:

Virginia Code allows Bicycles to operate on either sidewalks or roads.  When
operating on a sidewalk a cyclist has to follow all the pedestrian rules and also
give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.  Other tips
include expecting cars to back out of parking lots and driveways without seeing you
and stop look and listen before crossing streets.  

Good luck.  Safe riding.

Jim Wamsley  



-----Original Message-----
From: bsc-bounces+jawamsley=comcast.net at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
[mailto:bsc-bounces+jawamsley=comcast.net at bicycle.alexandria.va.us] On Behalf Of
Randy Cole
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 2:58 PM
To: Eliza_Savage at fws.gov; matt at seatryst.com; stephenmurphyclu at aol.com
Cc: rob at krupicka.com; info at seichoukarate.com; kmullen at keymind.com;
lauriebikes at cox.net; BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us; harpstuff at sover.net
Subject: Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?

The link I included wont get you to the right place. Here's the code reference
number:

Sec. 10-7-4  Designation of sidewalks as bicycle routes.

- randy

--- On Wed, 10/15/08, Randy Cole <jrcolehound at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Randy Cole <jrcolehound at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Alex Code: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?
> To: Eliza_Savage at fws.gov, matt at seatryst.com, stephenmurphyclu at aol.com
> Cc: info at seichoukarate.com, BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us, lauriebikes at cox.net,
kmullen at keymind.com, harpstuff at sover.net, rob at krupicka.com
> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 2:51 PM
> Matt,
> 
> I'm really surprised to hear that the city back in 1992
> made it illegal to ride bikes on sidewalks.  Given the city
> council's desire to make us an eco/green city, I think
> that they would want city code to promote & encourage
> all non-car transportation options.  But having the city
> code state that "no bicycle shall be operated on any
> sidewalk in city, except such sidewalks or portions thereof
> which city council shall by resolution designate as bicycle
> routes." makes no sense.  Here’s the current code
> citation:
> http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10349&sid=46
> 
> In my view bicycles should be free to use either the street
> or sidewalk - provided they are not a risk to themselves or
> others.  I would also suggest the city bicycle code use the
> opposite logic - where there is a designated bike path, code
> can be written to make it illegal or discourage use of the
> sidewalk (though I can’t see how the city could force a
> 6YO child into a bike path on the street).  Where there is
> no marked bike path, bicycles should be free to use the
> sidewalks provided they are not reckless.  
> 
> The code needs to change because as written every single
> child in my neighborhood is breaking the law and therefore
> potentially liable. 
> 
> Respectfully
> 
> Randy Cole
> 
> 
> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Eliza_Savage at fws.gov
> > To: matt at seatryst.com
> > Cc:
> >
> bsc-bounces+eliza_savage=fws.gov at bicycle.alexandria.va.us; 
> > BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
> > Sent: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:00 pm
> > Subject: Re: Biking on Sidewalks
> > 
> > Hi Matt,
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I think you should continue to encourage
> > your son to bike to school on the only safe route he
> has -
> > i.e., on the
> > sidewalk.  I think the ordinance was intended to keep
> > pedestrians
> > safe from fast-moving, inconsiderate bicyclists with
> no
> > thought of 
> > children
> > on 
> > their bikes and their need to be safe.  In short, I
> > encourage you
> > to break to law in this case!  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Also I suggest you write to our city
> > council members, particularly Rob Krupicka who has
> shown
> > lots of 
> > interest
> > in alternative transportation options in Alexandria.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Eliza
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > matt at seatryst.com
> > 
> > Sent by:
> >
> bsc-bounces+eliza_savage=fws.gov at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
> > 
> > 10/15/2008 09:40 AM
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > To
> > &lt;BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us&gt;
> > 
> > 
> > cc
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Subject
> > Biking on Sidewalks
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Hi everyone,
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > This is my first post so sorry if I didn't do this
> > right.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I recently got my 8 year old son started riding his
> bike to
> > school and
> > he is loving it.  Recently I was informed, somewhat
> > rudely, that it
> > is illegal to ride bikes on the sidewalks in
> Alexandria.
> >  I thought
> > this can't be right...  not in bike-friendly
> > Alexandria.  However
> > checking the Alexandria Municipal Code I find that it
> is in
> > fact 
> > illegal.
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I cannot see my son riding his bike in the street on
> West
> > Glebe or along
> > Mt. Vernon in rush hour traffic.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I checked out an alternate safe route which avoids
> these
> > streets.  It
> > takes about 15 minutes longer and is up and down
> several
> > large hills. 
> >  I'm
> > afraid it would turn my son off to riding his bike to
> > school.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Does a
> > nyone have any suggestions or has anyone discussed
> this
> > with 
> > Alexandria
> > City Officials?
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Matt
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > 
> > BSC mailing list
> > 
> > BSC at Bicycle.Alexandria.VA.US
> > 
> >
>
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> > 
> > 
> > 
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> > BSC mailing list
> > BSC at Bicycle.Alexandria.VA.US
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