 |
| Credit/ Bob Yoder, 7:30 pm |
I was surprised and bothered to see my first lime ebike (electric) in my Education Hill neighborhood 5:30pm a few days ago. The cyclist was riding on the sidewalk, not always safe since electric bikes are powerful. Then, tonight I saw this ebike share parked on a sidewalk in a nearby cul-de-sac' It was left by a college student. "It only costs a dollar" said the little boy.
According to new city code AND Jill Smith, Director of Communications bike and scooter share vehicles will be allowed to park on sidewalks in neighborhoods so long as 5 feet of the sidewalk is free from obstruction. “Well, as good citizens we can always move them off the sidewalk. Though bike shares are useful downtown, as more come up the hill we may find them less than desirable. Please, please stay downtown, where they have the most benefit. If you have questions write: council@redmond.gov
-- Bob Yoder
I'm for bikes. But with bikes comes responsibility. When you use a short-term bike like this the owner cannot be responsible for it when it's left in an illegal or unsightly place. The current users don't seem to care about the neighbors or the communities where they just become walking hazards and eyesores. Sure, some do, but far too many just don't care.
ReplyDeleteYou are wrong. There is no statute that says riding on a sidewalk is illegal.
ReplyDeleteConsidering how people drive around here. I also use the sidewalks particularly on inclines. I do not travel more than 6 mph.
You're right "Kenmore." I was just saying it'not always safe for the pedestrian when bikes ride on the sidewalk. An ebike is more powerful than a regular bike so they're more often used on roads.
ReplyDelete"Beta V" agreed! Eshare companies are supposed to keep track of their bikes and hopefully remove them if they're parked too long. The City also expects us to be good neighbors and move them off the sidewalk or call the Code Enforcement Officer.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
ReplyDeleteI am with you. The problem is much more serious than that. I cannot count the number of times I have almost been hit by a bike by walking on a sidewalk.
It is my understanding it is legal that the City allows any bicyclist to ride on the sidewalk.
This is ridiculous! The amount of money the taxpayers have shelled out on bike lanes in this City. Yet I see people riding a bikes on the sidewalk, even though only few feet off the curb is a bike lane. The City has a historical connection with the bicycle and this is a poor way to show it.
Eventually, someone is going to be seriously hurt if they haven't already.
Elizabeth, yes. The good thing about e-bikes is they don't need a sidewalk when climbing steep hills,like 166th. They can use the bike lanes and leave the sidewalks...to the kiddos walking to school or mothers with strollers, etc. The problem with those loud LimeGreen bike shares is riders park them on sidewalks. I see it as a big problem that could show it's ugly face in late summer, early Fall.
ReplyDeleteI'm concerned the City doesn't require bike helmets. On an e-bike or "e-bike share" their power and speed can be dangerous.
I'm afraid I have to agree (to a point). I don't want little kids (especially those with training wheels) to have to ride in the street--even when there are bike lanes. But, if larger bikes, ridden by teens, the danger goes up as the weight/speed goes up. Perhaps we need to talk about age limits, weight limits, speed limits for sidewalk riding. And yes, helmets should be required. After all, we taxpayers often have to foot the bill for the injuries. I also think we should be more aggressive when enforcing traffic laws for bikes. I've seen them blow by stop signs and lights on more than one occasion--especially close to the schools.
ReplyDeleteAs to the rent-a-bike companies, I think they should be fined for bikes left uncollected for more than 12 hours.
Beta V, I've never seen toddlers walking the sidewalks on 166th without there parents...or anywhere else. Don't need regulation for that! The City has regulations allowing all cyclists to ride on sidewalks. They don't require helmets but police often give them away at City events like "Bike Bash," "Derby Days, etc.
ReplyDelete