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

Bruce&Linda Dwyer ouibike at verizon.net
Wed Oct 15 19:35:43 CDT 2008 

My understanding is this: The sate code Jim cites was updated a couple of
years ago, but the city has not yet done the necessary work to bring its
code into conformance with the state code.  The city staff and some in the
police dept are aware of this.  My further understanding is that the city
code is not enforceable, however it certainly is misleading and subject to a
lot of misunderstanding when the codes are not in agreement.
Bruce
-----Original Message-----
From: bsc-bounces+ouibike=verizon.net at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
[mailto:bsc-bounces+ouibike=verizon.net at bicycle.alexandria.va.us] On Behalf
Of James Wamsley
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 4:14 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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> > 
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