Bike Commuters Oppose Proposed Ordinance

The Ridgewood Village Council introduced an ordinance that would give police the power to remove bicycles blocking public right-of-ways. It's grinding the gears of a few eco-minded commuters.

Officials said the introduced ordinance arose out of safety concerns for pedestrians and those with wheelchairs around the Franklin Avenue train trestle. The ordinance allows for fines and even potential confiscation of bicycles, though officials said warnings are more likely to occur.

"We're talking about bicycles that cause an impedance to pedestrian and vehicle traffic," Village Manager Ken Gabbert said last week.

On Wednesday, a pair of commuters said the rationale for the ordinance is faulty and sends the wrong message.

"With all due respect, I think you're doing this backwards," Cottage Place resident Leonard Diamond told the council.

The resident, who serves as the president of group Bike New York, said the town should add more bicycle racks before "punishing" riders.

The pluses of people riding their bicycles to the train station are obvious, he said, noting environmental and traffic calming benefits.

"Put in bike racks and signage and give people the opportunity to do the right thing," he said.

Diamond's wife, Kathy Hecht, also expressed strong feelings.

She claimed she was nearly run over on her way to the meeting, an experience that isn't nearly as rare as it should be in the densely-packed village.

Hecht pressed officials to ticket the motor vehicle violators, adding that there is ample room to park a bicycle by the trestle without it blocking the right-of-way.

"Seems to me bicyclists should be accommodated and not harassed," she said, claiming the bike racks are often full and there's not enough parking in the area.

Mayor Paul Aronsohn said the village going forward will look into adding more options for bicyclists in the future.

The ordinance vote is scheduled for May 8.