Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?
Randy Cole
jrcolehound at yahoo.com
Wed Oct 15 22:41:44 CDT 2008
Matt,
I'm with you, if there is an unrecorded agreement to not enforce this or if this contradicts State code or otherwise subverts our and the city's attempt at promoting more bicyclists, then it should get fixed or removed. Perhaps the code should be written using the the reverse logic - biking allowed on all sidewalks or streets, as long as it is not reckless with encouragement to use the bike paths when they are available.
I'm usually a lurker on this forum just listening/reading the traffic. But for this issue, I'd like to be present in person. Where do you hold the meetings?
See you in Nov
- randy
--- On Wed, 10/15/08, Matt Gillman <matt at seatryst.com> wrote:
> From: Matt Gillman <matt at seatryst.com>
> Subject: RE: Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk Illegal?!?
> To: Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.gov, "'James Wamsley'" <jawamsley at comcast.net>
> Cc: BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us, Eliza_Savage at fws.gov, jrcolehound at yahoo.com, rob at krupicka.com
> Date: Wednesday, October 15, 2008, 9:52 PM
> Hi Everybody,
>
> Thanks very much. This continues to be a terrific
> discussion. And Yon, I
> agree, it would be a good discussion item at the next
> meeting.
>
> A couple of things:
>
> A few of you wrote that riding on sidewalks is a bad idea.
> I agree there
> are safety issues with riding on the sidewalk too. Until I
> got my son
> started riding to school I never worried about this issue
> because I almost
> never ride on the sidewalk. There is a huge difference
> between a wobbly 8
> year old and a 200 pound man with years of biking
> experience in the traffic
> on West Glebe. I would also point out that little kids get
> scared easily so
> it is important for their experiences to be positive. The
> last thing I want
> to do is to turn him off bicycling. He is loving his ride
> and I hope we can
> all agree that our objective is to put as many young bikers
> on the road as
> possible.
>
> Several of you wrote that the law is almost never enforced.
> If the law is
> never enforced, let's get it off the books. I am VERY
> uncomfortable with
> trying to explain to an 8 year old that it is OK to break
> SOME laws. It
> teaches them contempt for the law. And yes I know that
> civil disobedience
> is an important civic responsibility. However, almost all
> civil
> disobedience is a way to change bad laws.
>
> It was also pointed out that state law should preempt
> municipal code. On
> this issue I remain very confused. It looks to me as if
> state law permits a
> municipality to ban riding on sidewalks, which is what
> Alexandria has done.
> However, it also looks like Alexandria is required to post
> notices
> conspicuously "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." which they haven't done either.
> Signs are expensive so it
> sounds as if Alexandria would have to waste a lot of
> taxpayer dollars to
> properly comply with this law. To add to this confusion a
> voice mail I got
> in response to my query to the Alexandria Police Force
> reiterated the
> prohibition. Time for a little what if: An intoxicated
> man pushes his
> friend in front of my bicycle which I am riding at a slow
> speed on the
> sidewalk while looking for a bike rack. Our collision
> results in a broken
> arm for the innocent pushee. Anybody feel that the biker
> would get a fair
> deal? I think the lawbreaking biker could be held liable.
> I know it is a
> silly example. Sorry about that. I guess it just seems
> like Alexandria
> Municipal code needs some updating.
>
> Sorry about rambling on. Thanks for the great feedback and
> I look forward
> to meeting all of you on November 3rd.
>
> Matt
>
>
> _____
>
> From: Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.gov
> [mailto:Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.gov]
> Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:44 PM
> To: James Wamsley
> Cc: BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us; Eliza_Savage at fws.gov;
> jrcolehound at yahoo.com; matt at seatryst.com; rob at krupicka.com
> Subject: RE: Alex Code Citation for: Biking on Sidewalk
> Illegal?!?
>
>
>
> 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
> > > <BSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.us>
> > >
> > >
> > > 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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