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Atlantic City resident criticizes boardwalk bike enforcement, urges painted lanes and ambassadorship
Summary
A resident said Atlantic City Police Department enforcement of the boardwalk no-bike rule is heavy-handed and urged the council and administration to create painted center lanes, designated walking zones and trained ambassadors to direct traffic.
Valerie Theo, a frequent boardwalk user, told the Atlantic City Council on June 18 that recent enforcement of the boardwalk's no-bike rules has become excessively strict and is harming tourism and quality of life.
“Every day at noon, it feels like a military takeover on the boardwalk,” Valerie Theo said during public comment, describing what she called an increase in police vehicles, all-terrain patrols and officers riding electric bikes. She urged the city to create painted directional lines and a center lane “for wheels only,” add crossing points and ambassadors to manage traffic, and allow safe cyclists to continue riding unless they behave recklessly.
Why it matters: Theo and other speakers said boardwalk cycling is a major transportation and tourism amenity for Atlantic City. She said current enforcement pushes inexperienced riders into streets without safer alternatives and could discourage visitors and residents.
Theo asked the council to instruct the administration and the police department to stop a blanket enforcement approach and instead target dangerous riding: “Ticket only those riding recklessly the same as vehicles and leave the safe riding cyclists alone as it was before the start of last summer,” she said.
Officials at the meeting did not announce a formal policy change. City leaders invited written follow-up from Theo and said they would consider the operational suggestions alongside public-safety concerns.
The council did not vote or adopt an ordinance on boardwalk cycling at the June 18 meeting.
