Mixed Opinions On Simsbury Bikes-On-Sidewalks Proposal

SIMSBURY, CT — A proposal to allow bicycles and scooters on public sidewalks in town has received mixed feedback from the community, with no definitive timetable set to act on it.

The Simsbury Board of Selectmen conducted a public hearing on the matter Dec. 12, with the town's top elected body getting very mixed results from speakers, with many opposing a change in a town ordinance regarding bikes/scooters and public sidewalks.

Selectmen unanimously closed a public hearing on the proposal, but they didn't commit to a timeline as to when, or if, the change would be voted on by local leaders.

"We will bring it back for discussion at a future meeting," Simsbury Town Manager Maria Capriola said earlier this month regarding the next step.

The situation revolves around bicycle/scooter safety, with proponents of allowing them on sidewalks saying this is a safer situation for riders.

Riders fear collisions with motor vehicles if they have to ride on the side of the road instead of on sidewalks.

But many testifying at the hearing Dec. 12 said a change would make it less safer for pedestrians, especially the disabled, if vehicles — even non-motorized ones — were allowed on sidewalks.

The ordinance in question was drafted in 1990 and town officials are looking to update this rule to allow non-motorized scooter riders and bicyclists on town sidewalks provided they operate in a safe manner.

Proposed changes read that "reasonable and safe use of non-motorized bicycles and scooters on any portion of a sidewalk in the Town of Simsbury extending along a road or highway is permitted."

In addition to allowing non-motorized scooters and bikes on sidewalks, the proposed changes redefine a sidewalk as being anything less than 8-feet-wide, whereas current definitions limit that definition to 5 feet or less.

Revisions also call for a change to the fines for violators of this ordinance.

According to the changes, if someone were to violate the ordinance and ride in an unsafe manner on sidewalks, they'd be subject to a $90 fine.

Currently, the more tougher regulations call for a $20 fine for a first offense and a $40 fine for subsequent offenses.

Simsbury Director of Public Works/Town Engineer Tom Roy said the proposal is in line with town hopes to be a bicycle friendly town.

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis said local officials, given the extremely mixed testimony, have some work to do before making any decisions.

"It sounds like there is a lot of nuance out there," Mackstutis said at the meeting. "So I think its just a little bit more complicated."

For the minutes of the Dec. 12 Simsbury Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For the information packet on the proposal, click on this link and scroll to Page 3.

From Nov. 30: 'Simsbury Mulls Allowing Bicycles On Sidewalks'