The Town of Huntsville is updating its existing bylaw on the use of bicycles, skateboards, scooters, hoverboards, and similar devices on sidewalks as well as town-owned parking lots and parks.
They are seeking public input via a survey open until April 20, 2021.
Proposed changes, presented in a staff report to Huntsville’s general committee on March 24, include:
- “The addition of snowboards to prohibit them in areas in the Town. Although the Town has not had an issue in the past with snowboarding on Main Street, it is believed to have occurred and would be a safety concern.
- The prohibited use of bicycles, inline skates, skateboards, snowboards, and similar devices on the sidewalks on Main Street, Town-owned parks and parking lots as well as the addition of docks and boat launches. The addition of docks and boat launches were added for safety reasons as the reversing of a vehicle at a boat launch may be difficult for some due to the challenge of having a person using a bicycle etc. at these locations.”
They bylaw does not aim to prohibit use of personal mobility devices—”such as walkers, mobility scooters, knee walkers, and manual and power wheelchairs used by a person with a disability or used in conjunction with an injury or the recovery of an injury”—in these areas.
See a copy of the staff report here.
Take the survey here.
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All these restrictions sound like we just avoiding liability at the expense of young people.
The number one bike and skateboard park in the USA is in Boulder CO. The city is reviewing and renovating the park right now. Huntsville should reach out them and learn what they can. People drive far and wide just to use this amazingly simple facility. The foot print is not that big and it does not require a mountain. You tube Valmont City Park to see videos
https://bouldercolorado.gov/parks-rec/2020-skatepark-improvements?
Pedestrian safety is Paramount . They are called sideWALKS …..not alternate transportation lanes !!!!
Just wondering where people can safely use these things with all the restrictions!! Bicycles can be on the road but none of the others can so unless there is parkland I don’t see where kids can get their exercise!!