Mayor Warns Of Possible Increased Enforcement For Reckless Bike, Skateboard Riding

BATAVIA, IL — Business owners on the west side of Batavia are seeing an increase in reckless bike and skateboard riding, Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke said in an address to residents Friday. As a result, he said the city may start taking heavier enforcement measures to combat the problem.

Schielke said he has been receiving more concerns and complaints from business owners located on the hill, specifically between Batavia Avenue and Water Street, on the north side of the street, he said in a video published on YouTube.

"There's been some reckless bicycle riding, reckless skateboarding, and I guess there's been a couple of near accidents where people have almost gotten hit because the storefronts go right out onto the sidewalk and people coming out of the stores can't see what's coming on," he said.

In an effort to find a solution, Schielke said signs have been added prohibiting people from riding bicycles and skateboards in particular areas, but he said people continue to do so anyway.

He warned of increased enforcement around reckless riding if it continues.

"I think we may have to start taking more heavier measures and induce some type of enforcement where we may be having some folks sitting there in unmarked cars and start writing tickets for reckless riding of bicycles and skateboards," he said.

The mayor also encouraged parents to talk with their children about the safety of where they ride their bikes and skateboards.

"If you're on the sidewalk and you hit somebody, it's big-time trouble for everybody involved, so please be very, very cautious about that," Schielke said.

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