Sidewalk ban could end

Downtown Maiden rule draws objections

Sunday, November 19, 2006

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

Maiden kids might soon be able to ride their bikes to school.

Public objections to the city's rule that prohibits bicycles on downtown sidewalks has Town Council members rethinking the ban.

"We recognize that the town might want to change this," said council member George McClellan. "And we're open to it."

Last month, the council postponed making a decision on an ordinance change drafted by the city staff until council members could get more input on the issue. The change would have lifted the ban on bike riding on sidewalks.

Now, they are waiting to hear what residents have to say about the ban at a public hearing Dec. 11.

While the city does not ban bikes, skateboards or Rollerblades from the streets, many of the town's children can't ride their bikes to school or in the downtown area because their parents don't allow them to ride in the roads.

Some residents, including teachers and parents, have said the ban goes too far when it comes to bicycles and have asked that ordinance be changed to allow kids to at least ride their bikes to and from school using city sidewalks.

Safety, said Mayor Bob Smyre, is the city's main concern.

"Some of the kids on the other side (of town) couldn't ride their bikes to school," he said. "I just want them to be safe."

A 2002 resolution restricted skateboarding and Rollerblading on downtown sidewalks in Maiden. Bikes have been prohibited even longer, but city officials couldn't say precisely how long.


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