Council pauses proposed ban on riding bikes on downtown sidewalks after public pushback

Petoskey City Council heard a first reading on a proposed amendment to the city’s traffic code that would prohibit riding bicycles on sidewalks in the downtown Central Business District and convert several existing sidewalk‑use prohibitions into municipal civil infractions.

Amy (staff) presented the rationale: the downtown core is heavily congested with pedestrians, cafe seating and park entrances, and staff cited examples — including near misses — involving riders moving quickly through Pennsylvania Park and the business district. Staff noted other communities with similar rules (Traverse City, Holland, Madison) and highlighted recent placement of movable “please walk your bike” signs and added bike racks downtown.

Public safety expressed support for restricting sidewalk riding in the busiest areas for safety reasons, but also warned enforcement would be challenging because officers on foot or in vehicles cannot easily chase fast riders. Staff offered education and small‑ticket options as first steps.

Members of the public and business owners gave mixed responses during public comment. Supporters of the change said the sidewalks are crowded and pedestrians (including families with small children) have near misses with riders. Bike advocates, business owners and residents argued a downtown sidewalk ban would have unintended consequences: it would push less‑skilled riders, children and commuters into vehicle lanes that lack painted bike space and could discourage families and visitors from biking to the downtown district. Several urged the council to improve signage, clarify the precise downtown boundary for enforcement, and create safer on‑street bike routes or a designated Pennsylvania Park connector instead of a blanket ban.

Council discussion focused on balancing pedestrian safety with access and mobility. Several councilmembers said they supported addressing safety, but several also said the ordinance needed more nuance: options discussed included seasonal or event‑based enforcement, clearer and more visible signage, a more explicit map of the restricted sidewalk zones, data collection on sidewalk and bike traffic, and targeted enforcement focused on repeat or dangerous riders.

Outcome: Council did not move to a second reading and instead paused the ordinance to gather more data, test signage and consult with stakeholders. Staff was directed to return with alternative approaches and implementation options. No ordinance was adopted on July 21.

Public comments heard in the meeting included business owners and cycling advocates who emphasized clearer signage, a defined downtown boundary and time‑of‑year solutions. Petoskey public safety said officers could use caution and discretion and already issue small monetary “yellow tickets” for minor violations; the proposed ordinance would add a municipal civil infraction option for repeat or serious violations.