Steve, that's been an area of some discussion on this list, some of which I started.
The "building abuts the sidewalk" exclusion makes some sense, because it suggests the pedestrians at least can get out of the way of a biker without jumping into the street. But I don't know that it goes far enough. Age is a good indicator; I told my two kids that once they were into Jr. high they needed to be able to use the street (no main arteries, of course). But I've seen older and less vigorous riders who seemed to need the sidewalk. So I'd say speed of the bike should be a major factor. Anybody over 10-12 mph, which is basically a fast jogging speed, needs to get off the sidewalk. (And wear a helmet, and have eye protection, and pull the earplugs out... like I said, two kids.) ------------ Patrick Lenon > Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 01:18:51 -0500 > From: [email protected] > To: [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; > [email protected]; [email protected] > CC: [email protected] > Subject: [Bikies] Where should it be legal to ride bicycles on sidewalks? > > Tonight Fitchburg will begin consideration of an ordinance allowing > bicyclists to ride on sidewalks, except "where a building abuts the > sidewalk", like Madison. (Currently, under WI statute, riding bikes on > sidewalks is illegal unless permitted by ordinance.) How's that working > for you Madison? Bike planners: Other suggestions? Should age of the > rider be a factor? How about abutting hedges and walks? Is there a > transect-sensitive solution? > > It seems important that riders, including kids, be able to determine > whether riding on sidewalks is OK by looking around, so zoning districts > and other esoterica might not be great indicators of whether biking on > sidewalks is legal. > > I am terrified of being hit by a cyclist on the sidewalk as I walk > around the University of Wisconsin campus, and am very concerned about > bicycle-pedestrian conflicts. > > Regards, > Steve Arnold, Fitchburg Alder, District 4, Seat 7 > 2530 Targhee Street, Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711-5491 > Telephone +1 608 278 7700 · Facsimile +1 608 278 7701 > [email protected] · http://Arnold.US > Become a supporter: like http://facebook.com/ArnoldforAlder. > _______________________________________________ > Bikies mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org
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