Biking on Sidewalks

[CW Dillon]

I've been teaching my 5yo and 6yo to ride safely on the streets on their
route to school with great success.  We ride through Del Ray to Mt Vernon.
We take side roads--across Monroe, through the alley to Mason, through
parking lots, etc.  Occasionally, when my wife or I drive the car to pick
them up after school, they prefer to ride the streets with us following
behind in the car.  Of course, without an escort, they only ride the
sidewalks.  Believe riding on the sidewalk is allowed until they are 12 or
14.  When my boys do ride the sidewalks, I ride in the street along side and
use myself to block cross traffic at intersections.  A few people have
occasionally been 30 seconds later for work because I held the intersection
while my boys crossed.  Only once did I have to explain myself to a
motorist; all others have been very understanding.

CW


On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 9:40 AM, <matt at seatryst.com> wrote:

> 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 anyone have any suggestions or has anyone discussed this with
> Alexandria City Officials?
>
> Thanks,
> Matt
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