[MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks

[David Strohmaier]

David and all,

 

For clarification, at this juncture, the city has not proposed moving forward with prohibiting bikes from sidewalks. As Chair of the City Council's Public Safety and Health Committee, I recently scheduled a discussion on the pros and cons related to prohibiting (or not) bikes from sidewalks. The consensus coming out of the meeting was that we need to better educate folks on minimizing their use of bikes on sidewalks while at the same time examining how other Montana cities have approached this issue. As a parent with two small children, I'm very sensitive to the avoiding unintended consequences (such as prohibiting a kid with training wheels from riding on a sidewalk).

 

Finally, those of us on the Council are frequently criticized for spending too much time on this or that issue as opposed to what someone perceives as more important concerns. On the contrary, and reflecting my view of governance, I believe that it's the Council's duty to multi-task (and address both the minutia of city government and more far-reaching initiatives), and that is precisely why we have multiple committees that oversee different departments and deal with different sorts of issues. As an elected representative, I am constantly triaging how to invest my time, but investing greater or lesser time and energy in one issue does not mean that I invest no time in another issue (which might also be of great concern to some of my constituents).

 

Dave 


Dave Strohmaier

Missoula City Council, Ward 1
(406) 327-8911



 
> From: hdgray at modwest.com
> To: carfreestupidity at gmail.com; thepoe at hotmail.com; missoulagov-bounces at cmslists.com; ethelmacd at gmail.com; geoffb at ism.net
> Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 13:55:56 -0600
> CC: missoulagov at cmslists.com
> Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] Committee Update 9-30-09 Bikes on Sidewalks
> 
> I have not been following this entire conversation but I would hope minors
> would be allowed to ride on sidewalks anywhere. They should not be in
> traffic because they are learning. Additionally if an adult is with a minor
> they as well will need to be on the sidewalk to show the minor how to act
> and react to situations as the minor is learning to ride.
> 
> I do not personally see why the city would wants to ban bikes on sidewalks.
> I have very rarely had any problems with bikes on sidewalks as an avid.
> 
> Shouldn't the City Staff and Council be putting more energies towards the
> economic downturn at this time? That is an actual problem and needs much
> more attention.
> 
> Sincerely,
> David V. Gray
> 1731 S. 11th W.
> 
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