City Amends Bike Ordinance to Allow Children on Sidewalks

Children 12 and under and firefighters, paramedics or polices officers are now allowed to ride their bicycles on city sidewalks.

On Tuesday, the Common Council approved an amendment to a city ordinance that banned all bike-riding on sidewalks.

The suggested amendment was brought to the Legislative Committee by Officer Robert Austin in the wake of an accident involving a small West Allis child who suffered severe injuries. The driver was absolved of liability because the child was riding the bike on the sidewalk.

Wisconsin statutes prohibit the operation of bicycles on sidewalks but allows municipalities to adopt a local ordinance allowing sidewalk operation.

Greenfield children who ride their bicycles on the sidewalk must be supervised by an adult.