Description
Just saw that riding your bike on the sidewalk was not allowed in Troy. http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Troy-police-arrest-Kentucky-fugitive-2231685.php
I thought it was allowed and encouraged based on the many times a week I gotta "yield" to someone riding on the sidewalk who refuses to dismount or ride in the street.
It happens all over downtown but I picked this area because, as anyone who lives here, it is the epicenter of quality of life issues downtown and deserves the spotlight.
2 Comments
Alex Dupuy (Registered User)
The police may say that "city ordinance prohibits riding bicycles on sidewalks" but the actual text includes only "play vehicles" (Big Wheels and things like that) and only in the center of downtown (on streets as well as sidewalks). Bicycles and tricycles as defined in the NYS VTL are specifically excluded. Note furthermore that the VTL does not prohibit bike riding on the sidewalk; this is left to communities (e.g. NY City prohibits bike riding on the sidewalk via NYC administrative code AC 19-176, which makes a specific exception for play vehicles).
While there may be some 28-year olds like the arrested Mr. McCormick, the vast majority of sidewalk bike riders that I see downtown are kids. I think you have to cut them a bit of slack, as they are kids, and frankly, riding in the streets with traffic in Troy is not that safe. Not that this would matter to TPD, Mr. McCormick was no doubt arrested for suspicious behavior (RWB?) - the bike riding on sidewalk was merely an excuse.
Troy Code:
§133.9
A. Defined. As used in this chapter, "play vehicles" shall mean and include any device not powered by a motor, used for propelling or transporting one or more persons and of a type commonly used for recreation or entertainment purposes. The term "play vehicles" shall not include a bicycle or tricycle as defined in the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
B. Prohibited acts. No person shall ride or propel any play vehicle on any street, highway, sidewalk or public path within certain portions of the B-4 Central Commercial Zone as shown on the Zoning Map of the City of Troy, bounded on the east by Sixth Avenue, on the west by the Hudson River, on the north by Federal Street and on the south by Ferry Street, which is more commonly known as the Central Business District.
http://www.ecode360.com/TR1767#TR1767
NYS VTL
Section 102. Bicycle.
Every two or three wheeled device upon which a person or persons may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, a chain or gears, with such wheels in a tandem or tricycle, except that it shall not include such a device having solid tires and intended for use only on a sidewalk by pre-teenage children.
http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/web/NewYork/nybikes.htm
k (Guest)