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Resident calls on Atlantic City to restore shared boardwalk cycling and curb aggressive enforcement
Summary
A resident criticized Atlantic City Police Department enforcement of a boardwalk cycling ban and asked the council to create safer, shared lanes and ambassadorship rather than heavy-handed enforcement; she offered to work with officials on solutions.
A public commenter urged Atlantic City officials on June 18 to reverse what she called heavy-handed enforcement of the boardwalk bicycle restrictions and to restore safer shared-use measures that accommodate cyclists and pedestrians.
Valerie Theo said that since last summer the boardwalk has been largely closed to riding and that enforcement has become “a military takeover,” describing a large police presence with cars, four-wheelers and officers on electric bikes. “A large part of this community is bewildered and irate with this massive influx of ACPD for the past 2 years on the safest avenue in Atlantic City,” she said. Theo asked the city to paint directional lines, create a center lane for wheels-only traffic, mark crosswalks and use ambassadors to direct traffic in congested stretches.
She argued that Atlantic City lacks safe alternative routes for bikes (unlike other cities) and asked officials not to wait “until someone gets killed.” She asked police to limit tickets to reckless riders and to leave safe riders alone; she also offered to follow her remarks with an email and volunteer to help craft solutions.
Council members acknowledged the concern and staff noted enforcement and routing are operational matters that require coordination among police and public works. The council did not adopt a new policy at the meeting; the commenter asked to be included in future planning and offered to work with the city on signage and routing.
No formal action or ordinance was proposed during her public comment; the administration said it would consider the suggestion and coordinate follow-up.
