Legalize Bicycling on the Minuteman, Repeal Section 10 of Bylaw!

Did you know it is illegal to ride on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway between the hours of 9pm and 5am?

Title III - Public and Private Ways
ARTICLE 1: PUBLIC WAYS
Section 10. Minuteman Bikeway Hours
The Minuteman Bikeway shall be open to the use of the public between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. Anyone found on said premises between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 5:00 A.M. shall be considered trespassers and subject to a fine of up to $20.
http://www.arlingtonma.gov/Public_Documents/ArlingtonMA_TownBylaws/title3 

If you ride a bike or walk or otherwise use the Minuteman and wish to express an opinion in favor of the existing bylaw or in favor of modification or abolishing it, come to the Arlington Bicycle Committee meeting Wednesday 6/19, 7:30 PM in the first floor conference room of the Town Hall Annex. The issue has been placed on its agenda a full eight months after submitting a request for a hearing in front of the appropriate town board or committee last September (eight months ago).

From the Arlington Bicycle Advisory Committee's notice my letter had been received and the issue placed on its agenda:

...There is a bit of history here. Two years ago, ABAC proposed a similar article to Town Meeting, to remove the hours of use restriction. It lost, mainly because the Police did not support changing the rule, and therefore, the Selectmen did not support it. The reason that the Police like the current bylaw is that it gives them legal cause to stop and talk to anyone who is acting suspiciously on the path late at night (e.g., kids who might be drinking). On the other hand, as far as I know, they don’t have much interest in going after people who are simply using the path for transportation...

Without the section 10, Arlington police are powerless to enforce Massachusetts General Laws related to underage drinking, drinking in outdoors public places or disorldly conduct???? I don't think so.

Title III - Public and Private Ways
ARTICLE 1: PUBLIC WAYS
Section 6. Disorderly Conduct No person shall behave himself in a rude or disorderly manner, or use any indecent, profane or insulting language in any public place in the Town, or near any building therein, or remain upon any sidewalk, or upon any part of another's property to the annoyance or disturbance of any person.

http://www.arlingtonma.gov/Public_Documents/ArlingtonMA_TownBylaws/title3

Legalize bicycling on the Minuteman, repeal section 10!

Facebook event - https://www.facebook.com/events/187885744708159/ in the open group "Minuteman Commuter Bikeway / Narrow-Gauge / Reformatory Branch Rail-Trail" - https://www.facebook.com/groups/162916187179986/