fordfasterr

The city next to mine is in the process of rebuilding a huge circular park in the middle of the downtown area known as " Young Circle " . They have spent millions of dollars building this " art park " and sure enough I have seen security guards hassle cyclists as they attempt to ride through.

This afternoon I rode up to the main entrance area on the west side and I see the dreaded sign.




I am really dissapointed by this sign, and the position that the city has taken with regard to cycling in the park. The original park setup did not prohibit cycling ( I don't recall ever seeing a sign) ...


What should I do ?

Who should I try to talk to about this in the city govmt?

SSP

Depending on your state's laws, the local government may by on shaky ground.

If the road through the park is a public roadway, there may be state laws on the books governing bicycling that supersede the local government's ordinances.

Do some Googling to find your state's laws, and also to find out if there are any bike advocacy groups in your area.

manual_overide

"Enjoy YOUR City Parks."

hey, it's your park. damn the torpedoes and cycle on through.

Roughstuff

Art park? Sounds like a pedestrian area where exhibits are likely to be held and people are likely to congregate. I certainly wouldn't want cyclists, skateboarders and bladers zipping thru at ridiculous speeds, which----come on, face it!---is exactly what they would do. When I lived in london many of the streets that were closed off for use by pedestrians were also no-bike riding/blading zones.

roughstuff

fordfasterr

the main through-fare is just a huge slab of concrete with somewhat useable sitting surfaces... its wider then a 2 way city street... I think that arrangement would give enough room for everyone to use it equally......

Kayakado

If they are going to present permanent scuplture displays, it may have been pointed out that unless cycling and skateboards were banned, the sculptures would become fodder for BMXers and skateboarders. I work for a college and the damage done by them to the concrete landscaping borders and benches around campus is pretty significant. Some people have no respect for property and those that do must suffer.

bac

I wonder why Americans are fat?

N_C

I love that it says "Like Nowhere Else" That I would have to agree with with them banning bicycles, etc.

I wonder why they don't ban motor vehicles? They cause more damage & are a greater risk then bicycles, roller bladders, etc. combined.



Form a peacuful protest but make sure you do so with all the proper permissions & credentials & obey the laws. I say this because in ceratin areas you need a "parade permit", etc. to gather & protest.


Yes, definatley do so.

bryanp

Wait why do you want to ride through this anyways? Was it a decent bike path before the reconstruction or something? I don't see the reason of making a big fuss if its only .5 miles of path or something that would be stuffed with artsy people who walk in circles.

Paul L.

You should get a go-ped and cruise through. Doesn't say anything about motorized scooters.

I-Like-To-Bike

To be even more specific, where exactly is it in the park that the offended OP can't ride a bike? A parking lot? A road/path going through the park, a sidewalk, the grassy knoll?

GaryA

I agree, this is a case of "a few bad" ruin it for everyone else. They probably are not really against cyclist, however they are against "stunters" taking over.

lyledriver

I would 'stunt' a 'TRIKE' through that park.

fordfasterr

I wonder if the city's description of a bicycle applies to this sign.

In the city of Hollywood, a bicycle must: " have 2 or more wheels, be human powered, and have wheels bigger than 20 inches. " .

So if I have a BMX bike with 20 inch wheels I should be allowed in the park, the law says " bigger than 20 inches ", not " 20 inches and up " ...

ALso, based on the city's description of a bicycle, I should be allowed to ride a unicycle through the park without harassment from the security guards that they hired to walk around in there .....

I-Like-To-Bike

What exactly is the bicycling problem that you have encountered in that park? Is this someplace that you used to ride through and now you can't? Or what?

sgtsmile

Say to the rent a cop (security guard - wtf is up with that anyways?!?)

" I am sorry, but what law? - Yes, it is a cute sign, but what law does it uphold? Can you show me on the sign where the law is mentioned?"

I find it interesting that the city does not even bother posting which by-law you would be offending if you rode a bike through it. Around here - and I speak for no where else - signs such as these MUST have the by-law number on them..

Helmet Head

Sounds to me that their banning toy bike riding in the same areas (sidewalks, paved paths?) as they are banning skateboarding and rollerblading.

I seriously doubt the intent is to ban bike riding on the roads. The implication, however, is there, as even cyclist fordfasterr interpreted it to mean bike riding even on the roads is prohibited.

What to do? Call the city councilperson and ask them to add an addendum to the sign to clarify their intent. Something like,

"(legal bike riding is not prohibited from the public roadways of the park)"

.

Roughstuff

Nope. Sounds to me they are intelligent enough to realize that even a slow riding cyclist can clean the clock of an innocent pedestrian in a collision, and they want to make it clear where the liability will lie in that situation. Ditto for morons on skateboards and blades.

roughstuff

noisebeam

Are there roads in this park, open to other vehicles?
The small view behind the sign looks like a wide pedestrian way to me.
Al

fordfasterr

there are no roads through this park.

It is just a giant circle surrounded by a huge round-about with various entry/exits ...

there is a giant walkway through the middle that goes all across and has various places to sit and then on the sides there is just green space and huge trees...

The only thing I would use it for is to ride through for the nice views... =)

slagjumper

Why don't you call the parks and rec and see what the fine is and what section of the city's statutes this falls under. Perhaps we all should do it.

Helmet Head

So they want to make it clear where the liability lies for cyclists, skateboarders and bladers, but not motorists?

Helmet Head

Oh, in that case, sure they can ban bikes.

no roads = no cyclist rights

noisebeam

Why not walk bike thru? - from description is sounds like a short stretch and if not there for the scenery, one can ride around it on roundabout. I don't quite get the concern about no 'bike riding'

Al

fordfasterr

I just feel discriminated against, thats all.

From what I can see, this park will be the most fabulous homeless motel in the city of Hollywood.......