Ask a Cop: Rules on Parking Bicycles

Question: What are the provisions for parking scooters in the downtown area. Are they allowed to park like bikes? Or are they required to use up a full-sized parking space? If so, what are the rules for parking bikes? Can they be locked to various fixtures along the sidewalks, as long as they don't block pedestrian traffic? Are there any state or city codes or ordinances for this?

This answer comes from Doug Fawcett, the city's public works director:

I will respond to the simpler of your two questions now (bicycles), but need some time to do a little research before I go on record on the other issue (scooters)... Bicycles may NOT be secured to street signs, ornamental street lights, street trees or any other City property in the public right of way for multiple reasons, primarily possible obstruction of a sidewalk and potential damage to the public property.  The City installed a number of bike racks in the downtown a couple of years ago. We have a card that we place on bikes that are chained improperly downtown. This card not only notifies the cyclist that the bike may not be secured as it is, but also directs the owner to the downtown bike racks.

See the attached file for the card. (Make sure you scroll down to see the map that is on the back of the card.) If a bike that has been secured to a signpost, street light or tree isn’t moved within a reasonable period after we have placed this card on the bike (no specific deadline, but we wait a couple of days) , we then place a “notice to remove” on the bike with a date and time that it must be removed. If it isn’t moved,  Public Works removes the bike and transports it to the City Shop to be stored until it is claimed. We notify the Police Department whenever we do this, so that if the owner reports the bike as stolen, PD knows to refer him (or her) to Public Works. Please also note that we have added one bike rack since the attached map was prepared. The newest rack is on the Hanover Street side of City Hall, near Princess Anne Street.