I have received recent complaints from people concerned that bicyclists are speeding through Orton Park. At least two people have reported to me that they have been clipped by bicyclists coming behind them. This park has playground equipment and is used regularly by young families and kids as well as runners and walkers.
It is legal to ride your bikes on the sidewalk in a city park. There is a no bicycle sign in Orton but it is there to prohibit people from riding on the turf in order to protect the root zone of the oaks from compaction. Rutledge is a bike commuter route and some bicyclists use the diagonal park path as a cut through to Spaight St and avoid the sharp turn at Ingersoll (or Few St). I've attached the ordinance below. I could amend it and add Orton to the list that includes Henry Vilas Zoo as a prohibited parks for bicyclists to use if there is neighborhood support. I'd like to get feedback on people's experiences in the park in regard to concerns about excessive speed of bicyclists and imact on safety of other park users. Marsha Here is the ordinance. 8.31 BICYCLES IN PARKS. (1) Purpose and Intent. The Common Council finds that as the use of City parks increases, it is in the public interest to protect and preserve parkland resources while making these resources accessible to the multiplicity of City park users. The Common Council specifically authorizes the Park Commission to identify trails within parkland suitable for bicycle use. The use of bicycles on trails not designated for that specific use denigrates the parkland by accelerating erosion and endangers hikers because of inadequate sight clearance. It is the intent of this ordinance to reconcile the desires of individual park users with the need to preserve the resources for all citizens and to that end to designate certain parks and park areas for use consistent with safety, preservation of natural resources and recreational enjoyment. (2) Definitions. "Bicycle" has the meaning specified in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5). "City park" means City-owned property designated and operated as a park for general recreational use but does not include greenways or conservation parks. "Conservation park" has the meaning specified in Sec. 8.40(2), MGO. "Natural area" means any area not mowed on a regular basis to turf 6" or less in height. "Roadway" means highway as defined in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(22). "Trail" means any maintained travel route through a natural area, the surface of which may be dirt, mowed turf, gravel, wood chips or boardwalk. (3) Bicycles Allowed. Any person may ride a bicycle: (a) in a City park on paved roadways, parking areas, paved paths and mowed turf areas which are not trails. (b) anywhere in Quarry Park. (c) on two designated trails in Edna Taylor Park, providing access to Femrite Drive and Glendale School, respectively. (d) on one designated trail through Owen Park, running from Inner Drive to Bordner Drive. (e) other specific areas designated and posted according to an order issued by the Park Commission. (4) Prohibitions. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle on any trail or natural area in any City park except trails or areas designated and posted as open to bicycles, according to an order issued by the Park Commission. (b) It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate any bicycle within areas of the Henry Vilas Zoo unless specific permission has been granted by the Henry Vilas Zoo Director. (Am. by ORD-11-00168, 12-6-11) Sec. 8.31(4)(c) PUBLIC PROPERTY Rev. 12/15/11 8 - 18 (c) It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle on a mowed turf area in City parks when such area has been designated and posted as closed to bicycles, according to an order issued by the Park Commission. (5) Penalty. Any person violating this ordinance shall be subject to a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than fifty dollars ($50). (Cr. by Ord. 8055, 6-17-83;
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