To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability, the city of Oberlin and Oberlin College have long encouraged getting around via bicycle.
But, City Council is now tightening regulations on two-wheelers in the downtown area.
Pedestrians, some with disabilities, have been reporting difficulty with bicycles left in the way on sidewalks and in front of doorways in the business district. A new ordinance requires all bikes parked there to be set in designated racks.
Fines and more
Interim City Manager Sal Talarico says violations can bring $20 tickets and police can confiscate bicycles deemed to be a hazard.
“If there are instances where we feel we have provided the education, the warnings, then we will remove the bicycles. We don’t intend to remove bicycles as a first step. We intend to remove them only as a last resort.”
And, though the ordinance was just passed, Talarico says it won’t be in effect until spring, to give plenty of time to get the word out about it.