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

Wed Oct 15 17:43:51 CDT 2008

This would probably be a good discussion topic for our next Pedestrian and 
Bicycle Citizens Group meeting on November 3. It is very hard to explain 
all of this via e-mail. Unless I hear a strong "no", I'll plan to include 
this on the next meeting agenda and we can talk about some next steps.

As a point of reference, this is the Alexandria code:
Sec. 10-7-4  Designation of sidewalks as bicycle routes.
With the exception of bicycles operated by police officers in the course 
of their law enforcement duties, 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. (Code 1963, Sec. 
6-4; Ord. No. 3588, 6/13/92, Sec. 1)

This is the Code of Virginia:
§ 46.2-904. Use of roller skates and skateboards on sidewalks and 
shared-use paths; operation of bicycles, motorized skateboards or 
scooters, motor-driven cycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and 
electric personal assistive mobility devices on sidewalks and crosswalks 
and shared-use paths; local ordinances. The governing body of any county, 
city, or town may by ordinance prohibit the use of roller skates and 
skateboards and/or the riding of bicycles, electric personal assistive 
mobility devices, motorized skateboards or scooters, motor-driven cycles, 
or electric power-assisted bicycles on designated sidewalks or crosswalks, 
including those of any church, school, recreational facility, or any 
business property open to the public where such activity is prohibited. 
Signs indicating such prohibition shall be conspicuously posted in general 
areas where use of roller skates and skateboards, and/or bicycle, electric 
personal assistive mobility devices, motorized skateboards or scooters, 
motor-driven cycles, or electric power-assisted bicycle riding is 
prohibited. 

Yon Lambert
Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator
Transportation & Environmental Services, City of Alexandria
703.519.3400 x 183 phone
yon.lambert at alexandriava.gov 
www.alexandriava.gov/localmotion

"James Wamsley" <jawamsley at comcast.net> 
Sent by: bsc-bounces+yon.lambert=alexandriava.gov at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
10/15/2008 04:14 PM

To
<jrcolehound at yahoo.com>, <Eliza_Savage at fws.gov>, <matt at seatryst.com>
cc
rob at krupicka.com, BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
Subject
RE: Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?

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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