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Fitchburg commissioners debate sidewalk-biking rules, weighing Madison model and age limits
Summary
The commission discussed whether to allow sidewalk bicycling in Fitchburg, with public testimony urging clearer definitions and commissioners split between a simple ban, Madison-style setback rules, and age-based exceptions; staff agreed to draft ordinance language and return to the commission.
Fitchburg’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission spent the bulk of its May 6 meeting debating whether to adopt a municipal ordinance allowing limited bicycle riding on sidewalks, with commissioners weighing simplicity, enforceability, and safety for pedestrians.
Steve Arnold, a resident who registered to speak, urged clearer definitions and practical rules: “I think a sidewalk should be defined as concrete except if it has a painted center line… a multi-use path is asphalt at least 8 feet wide,” and recommended allowing children under 11 (and adults accompanying them) to use sidewalks to aid safe learning.
Commissioners split on approaches. Some favored a simple prohibition to protect pedestrians, arguing that complex rules will confuse the public and the police. Others recommended adopting Madison’s setback-based approach — which treats sidewalks adjacent to buildings differently — and adding a “slow and yield to pedestrians” expectation. A commissioner noted police currently do not routinely enforce sidewalk riding and urged that any ordinance be simple enough for officers and residents to understand.
Staff told the commission that under current state statute Fitchburg has not adopted a municipal ordinance allowing sidewalk riding, so riding on sidewalks is technically not legal in the city. Still, staff proposed drafting ordinance language incorporating the commission’s preferences (for example, age limits, geographic exceptions, and signage) and bringing a draft back at the June meeting for further review.
No formal vote was taken. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with police and to consider education and targeted signage for problem areas; some suggested that identifying and improving infrastructure (bike lanes or multi-use paths) would be a preferable long-term solution.
