TPD sidewalk cycling

[TheTed]

Every time there's an event downtown I see the Tulsa PD on bicycles riding around on the sidewalks.

In addition to being unsafe, it's also apparently illegal. And it sets a bad example.

http://www.malcolmlaw.com/site/malcolmlaw/blog_entry/3?entry_id=91

[custosnox]

Tulsa's ordinances only prohibit sidewalk bicycling in business districts where at least 50% of the frontage is occupied by buildings used for business.

That part is inaccurate. The ordinance actually prohibits bicycle riding on sidewalks in all business districts

City of Tulsa Ordinance Title 37 Section 1009 subsection A

    No person shall ride a bicycle or motorized scooter upon a sidewalk within a business district.  The Director of Public Works is authorizes to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon.  Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

[OurTulsa]

QuoteTulsa's ordinances only prohibit sidewalk bicycling in business districts where at least 50% of the frontage is occupied by buildings used for business.


That part is inaccurate. The ordinance actually prohibits bicycle riding on sidewalks in all business districts


Quote
City of Tulsa Ordinance Title 37 Section 1009 subsection A

     No person shall ride a bicycle or motorized scooter upon a sidewalk within a business district.  The Director of Public Works is authorizes to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon.  Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, suck person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.



Huh-huh!  You said 'Suck' person.  That's what I think too.

[custosnox]

I seem to be getting a lot of those typos here lately. lol

[OurTulsa]

Ahhh, don't change it. While it is not a true reflection of the ordinance it is quite an appropriate Freudian slip of the fingers.

[custosnox]

Ahhh, don't change it. While it is not a true reflection of the ordinance it is quite an appropriate Freudian slip of the fingers.

Perhaps, but it would be inaccurate, and I don't like misrepresenting things.

[Red Arrow]

I seem to be getting a lot of those typos here lately. lol

That'll teach you not to wash your fingers before typing.

[custosnox]

That'll teach you not to wash your fingers before typing.

oh, but you have no idea where those fingers have been

/thread drift (hopefully)

[nathanm]

I figure if you're traveling at pedestrian speeds, you're probably better off riding on the sidewalk (courteously!).

If you're going faster than that, you're a danger to pedestrians and yourself if you're on the sidewalk, and should therefore be on the road acting like any other vehicle.

[Ed W]

The problem with mixing in with pedestrians is that they can change direction or stop in the space of a step.  Cyclists are not that maneuverable, and the combined weight of bike and rider makes stopping distances slightly longer, even at pedestrian speeds.  Toss in pedestrians emerging from doorways and vehicles, and sidewalks are not that inviting.  The crash rate is roughly three times higher than riding in the street.

Even with their IPMBA training, cops shouldn't be on the sidewalk. 

[Red Arrow]

I wouldn't have a problem with a bicyclist on the sidewalk by Memorial south of the Creek Turnpike.  I rarely see pedestrians there. In fact, I'd rather see them there than taking a 45-50 mph lane on the street.  Downtown with business doors etc is a different story.

[nathanm]

I wouldn't have a problem with a bicyclist on the sidewalk by Memorial south of the Creek Turnpike.  I rarely see pedestrians there. In fact, I'd rather see them there than taking a 45-50 mph lane on the street.  Downtown with business doors etc is a different story.

Eh, riding on Memorial isn't that bad. Did they put in sidewalks when they reconstructed Memorial in that area? Last I saw, the only bit of sidewalk was in front of the BMW dealership and the bit just south of the trail running along the turnpike.

[TheTed]

I'm not sure they ever ride in the proper manner, on the road. Every time I see them they're on the sidewalk, crossing at crosswalks, turning onto sidewalks on other streets, basically acting as pedestrians.

Downtown is perfect for cycling. Wide streets. You can take a lane without worrying about it because there's one lane for every car on the road on most streets.

Most of the TPD bike cops also seem like non-cyclists, very wobbly, using gears no cyclists would use for anything short of climbing Mount Everest.

Isn't there a cyclist or two on the force to set an example?

[nathanm]

Most of the TPD bike cops also seem like non-cyclists, very wobbly, using gears no cyclists would use for anything short of climbing Mount Everest.

There's no need to insult the lard-asses who get on bikes (that would be me) for using low gears.

[Ed W]

Most of the TPD bike cops also seem like non-cyclists, very wobbly, using gears no cyclists would use for anything short of climbing Mount Everest.

Isn't there a cyclist or two on the force to set an example?

The International Police Mountain Bike Association conducts training for LEOs on bicycles.  It's different from the League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling program because it includes pursuit techniques like riding down stairs and using a bike to take down a fleeing suspect.  They also do a lot more low speed maneuverability training for riding in crowds.  There are some videos of their training on the CommuteOrlando site as well as YouTube.

http://www.ipmba.org/

I had a go-round with Sheriff Glanz about one of his officers.  He'd stopped me for impeding traffic on a two lane road when the woman behind me simply refused to cross that double yellow line.  Normally it's not a big deal, but with a TCSO patrol car on her back, she wasn't taking any chances.  So the deputy pulled ME over.  Go figure.

Glanz said his deputy was a "well trained bicycle officer" by which he meant the guy pedaled his fat but around the fairgrounds during the Tulsa State Fair.  It was not a pleasant or productive conversation.