Walking Bikes is a Bad Idea

Dear Editor:

Requiring bicyclists to dismount at boardwalk concessions is unnecessary and will lead to more accidents, here’s why… 1) When a bike is walked, it takes twice as much room, exacerbating congestion. 2) Riders not wanting to dismount will use the narrow ramps to get on and off, competing for limited space with beach goers, wagons or strollers. 3.) Shore Front Parkway’s narrow, two-way bike lane is already full of people unloading cars, pedestrians crossing, and the Parks Department ATVs are illegally parked. Deliberately adding more bike traffic to this scene is just nuts.

Here’s a better idea…  Forget trying to keep bikes in and pedestrians out of bike lanes. It’s a fool’s errand. Instead, adopt an open plan, like Riis Park, where things seem to work just fine. This approach has many benefits. 1) Naturally slows bike riders as they become part of the natural flow with pedestrians.  2) Removes the feeling of entitlement and invitation to speed that a dedicated lane might suggest to some riders. and 3) Moves bike riders away from the side of the boardwalk where pedestrians are trying to enter and exit, often without looking.

An open plan is safer as bikes and pedestrians will have the entire width of the boardwalk to navigate the safest path for themselves and everyone around them. This goes double in the concession areas, where the signs should remind bicyclists to “Ride Responsibly.” Law enforcement can then focus its attention on those who don’t.

Rick Horan