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West Bend police cite e-bike rider after sidewalk collision; department to step up downtown enforcement
Summary
At the July 2 City of West Bend BID Board meeting, Police Chief Dearing described a downtown incident in which an employee exiting Hussars was struck by a person riding an electric bike on the sidewalk. The rider was cited; the department says it will increase education and targeted enforcement downtown.
Police Chief Dearing told the City of West Bend Business Improvement District board on July 2 that an employee exiting Hussars was struck by a person riding an electric bicycle on the downtown sidewalk and that the rider was cited.
The incident, which Dearing said is captured on video, prompted a $187 citation for riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. “If you haven't seen the video, it's horrendous,” Dearing said, adding the department is fortunate the employee was not more seriously injured.
Dearing said the department will respond with a mix of public education and targeted enforcement. He described recent training and roll-call reminders to officers, increased focus by civilian service officers (CSOs) assigned downtown and a public messaging push. He also advised that, because of angle parking and traffic patterns, the department’s practical guidance for downtown users is to walk bicycles on sidewalks to reduce conflicts.
Why it matters: downtown businesses and customers frequently share constrained sidewalks and roadways. Board members pressed for clarity about enforcement and signage; Dearing said signs already exist at major downtown entry points and that education plus enforcement is the preferred approach rather than more restrictive rules.
The department also clarified two enforcement details discussed at the meeting: officers generally reserve citations for flagrant violations, and the department’s practical cutoff for citing an underage rider was mentioned as 12 years old. Dearing encouraged residents and business owners to report concerns and said the department would continue to work with downtown partners to reduce hazards.
The board's discussion touched on signage and whether more or different signs would help. Dearing said there is a sign across the street from the incident site and at major intersections that prohibits bikes, scooters and skateboards on sidewalks; he cautioned that adding more restrictive signs is unlikely to solve behavior issues without education and enforcement.
Ending: The BID board and police agreed to continue coordination on messaging, CSO deployment and targeted enforcement as the city approaches high-traffic summer events and holiday weekends.
