HomeMy WebLinkAboutBikes on Sidewalks Survey 8-5-21Bikes on Sidewalks Survey
Survey Results
FINAL
08/05/2021
Where do you support the use of bicycles in the City? Please
choose all that apply:
On the street 79% (186)
On the street in a bike lane 88% (206)
On the street with Sharrows (sharrow markings indicate that the roadway
is shared with bicyclists)77% (180)
On sidewalks 68% (158)
On park trails or paths 92% (215)
Should the City continue to allow bicycles on sidewalks?
Yes 77% (181)
No 23% (53)
If the City continues to allow bicycles on sidewalks, should the
City continue to allow bicycles on all sidewalks, or should the City
prohibit bicycles on sidewalks on certain streets such as Main St.
which has heavy pedestrian usage? Note: The advantage of
prohibiting bicycle usage on some sidewalks is that it may be safer
for pedestrians in higher trafficked areas. The disadvantage is that
this would require bicycles to operate on busier streets, which
could potentially be more dangerous for bicycles and vehicles.
Allow bicycles on all sidewalks 50% (118)
Prohibit bicycles on some heavy pedestrian streets 50% (116)
Should the City continue to allow bicycles on park trails?
Yes 100% (233)
No 0% (1)
Do you support the expansion of on-road bike facilities in the city
such as bike lanes and sharrow markings?
Yes 78% (182)
No 22% (52)
What are the reasons you choose to bicycle? (Choose all that
apply)
For the enjoyment 82% (193)
For the exercise 86% (201)
For family time 39% (92)
Transportation to/from my job 26% (60)
Transportation to/from school 9% (20)
For the environment 38% (90)
To save money on gas 31% (73)
Other 15% (35)
How o en do you use a bicycle?
5 - 7 days per week 17% (39)
1 - 4 days per week 23% (53)
1 - 3 days per week 25% (58)
Less than one day per month 26% (60)
I don't own a bike 10% (24)
In what setting do you usually ride your bicycle?
Busy city streets 32% (74)
Quiet city streets 78% (182)
Suburban areas 44% (102)
Park paths and/or trails 79% (186)
Country roads 29% (68)
Do you have any comments regarding allowing bicycles on
sidewalks in Oshkosh?
Get rid of sharrows, and add more bike LANES.
It's ridiculous that e-bikes and bikes are mandated to have the same rules. E-bikes
should be on streets only
Has there been any consideration or rules that would still allow kids to bike on the
sidewalk if the restriction is in place? I can’t imagine we would want kids biking in the
road.
There are roads and bridges where cars go too fast and are too narrow to safely bike
on the road. Please teach cyclists to to yell ahead to warn pedestrians that they are
approaching from behind. Almost none of them do this currently. That would allow for
safer sharing of the space.
People currently abuse the privilege of biking on sidewalks and do not respect the
space of people walking. Kids riding electric dirt bikes in my neighborhood have been
causing issues lately, but nothing is done.
All or nothing approach would be best
I have found that drivers do not expect bicycles on sidewalks and there is added
danger when the car is turning. I rode my bike on the street and continue to as an
adult. I also walk, and do not appreciate sharing the sidewalk with an older child riding
down the middle of the sidewalk.
I would much rather bicyclists ride on the sidewalk than the road. It is definitely safer
for them and less anxiety provoking for drivers.
Sidewalks are safer for cyclists than sharing streets with vehicles. Many sidewalks
have very few pedestrians. If high pedestrian sidewalks are restricted, cyclists can
choose alternate routes. Most cyclists would not want to ride through significant
numbers of pedestrians on sidewalks.
Don't allow them on sidewalks. I support bike lanes and wide shoulders but not
sharrows.
Please continue to allow children to ride bikes on sidewalks!! I do not feel safe having
the 10 and under group on the roads.
Much safer than bike lanes or roads
Those riding Cycle need to be aware of driveways and moving vehicle. Ive had people
try to chew me out for trying to pull out of my driveway and the come flying down the
sidewalk and refuse to slow down or stop, then have the nerve to act as if its my fault.
No
Children under ten should be allowed to bike on sidewalks; anyone eleven or older
should use city streets.
Please make the city more bike friendly. If a railroad track becomes abandoned,
please make it into a bike path. We lost a golden opportunity when the north-south
railroad track was taken out. 100 people showed up at meeting asking for it to become
a bike path, but the "not in my backyard" attitude was favored. We need more trails so
people don't have to be on busy streets! We are way behind other cities.
I don’t like to ride on sidewalks but sometimes there is no choice. I have to ride on the
sidewalk over the bridges because its too hard to ride a road bike with narrow tires on
the metal grated part of the bridge. I have to ride on the sidewalk at some
intersections because the intersections are totally messed up (Sawyer and Oshkosh
Ave is THE worst intersection for a biker). Tried to get to Rainbow Park from Sawyer
Street and nearly got hit because 1) the light at the intersection is too short for a
bicyclist, and 2) the only way to get to Rainbow park from Sawyer is to cross Oshkosh
Ave. and then go right on the sidewalk. Had to ride on the sidewalk going East on
Westowne Ave. (to get to Culver’s) from Westhaven Dr. because traffic is so bad on
that street that you take your life into your hands. My son rides on the sidewalk on
Wisconsin St. by the college because the sharrow is so narrow that the painting of the
bike doesn’t even fit between the curb and the painted line. For those of us brave
enough to ride in sharrow, its always dicey because there’s glass in the street in front
of Molly’s pub. So the choice is: 1) ride over the glass; 2) ride in the busy street; 3) ride
on the sidewalk. None of which are ideal. Oshkosh had a long way to go to make this
city bicycle friendly!!
I definitely do not want little kids to have to ride their bike in the street and not on the
sidewalk. Kids need to be outside and exercising and to prohibit bikes on sidewalks
would mean little children would be in the streets. Traffic enforcement (speeding) is
very weak/nonexistent in my neighborhood, so it would be dangerous.
On many streets, but not all, we just don't trust the cars. The lightest bump, with no
damage to the car, o en results in life altering injuries to the bike rider; it's not worth
the chance. When we have to use the sidewalks, it's important to always cross streets
with great caution and to always 'give way' to pedestrians; they have the right of way.
I think you need to allow bicycles on the sidewalks until there are more bike paths in
the city. Until then, bicyclists need sidewalks to feel safe.
The city created many bike lanes, sharrows and paved lanes. Very seldom used. Poor
return on your (our) money. Maybe bike usage as cars are on some streets could be
monitored and a report produced.
Please do not prevent bikes on the sidewalks, the bike lanes are a joke and shouldn't
have been bothered with. In particular the one near the college. It is so narrow you're
risking your life to use it. A proper bike path that is separate from motor vehicle traffic
is what people really desire, these bike lanes all over the city are little more then a
check mark to say the city is "bike friendly".
I think it would be much less confusing to just allow bicycles on all sidewalks then just
certain sidewalks. If you only allow on some, you would need signage where not
allowed which would be an extra expense not only in signs but enforcement.
Generally, I believe that bicycles should be ridden on the road, and not on sidewalks,
that bikes on sidewalks are dangerous for bikers and pedestrians alike. Bikes on
sidewalks are not expected by auto traffic, especially at crosswalks and driveways,
and travel at a faster rate of speed allowing them to "suddenly be there". Oshkosh is an
especially difficult city to ride bikes in because of the river and Hwy 41. The traffic
circles are especially difficult for bikes and peds alike because of the extremely high
rate of speed some drivers go through the circles. It doesn't matter whether the bike is
on the sidewalk or on the street. In addition, the biker is o en ascending a hill to get
through the circle. When Hwy 41 was expanded in the 2000's I questioned the DOT and
the City about the impediments to bikers and pedestrians, but my suggestions where
disregarded. Other cities have pedestrian and bicycle only bridges across major
highways like Hwy 41. for a bike, riding the extra mile to such a bridge between 20th
and 9th, or 9th and Oshkosh Ave would be a great benefit and get bicycles at least, off
the traffic circles. In my own riding experience, I can generally find alternative, safer
streets to use to get where I'm going. Provisions then be made to share the road only
when trying to get through difficult intersections and across bridges. By the way, the
sidewalks on the river bridges are too narrow for a bicycle and deadly if a rider or
walker is met going the opposite direction. Plus, you are never going to get bikes off
sidewalks, especially youngsters taught by their parents to stay off the road.
Until the city educates motorists on bicycle lanes, I will not use them as I have had
several close calls riding in these lanes. I will promote riding on the sidewalk for rider
safety.
as long as they enter the road to go around pedestrians, I'm fine with it.
Yes! Reward a points system for gi s based on how many we can hit while they are
disobeying traffic laws
keep bikes out of the road.
Why not, bicycles ride on the sidewalk most of the time anyway. Why are bike lanes on
a road period, when most of the bicyclers ride on the sidewalk anyway. Safer for
family of smaller kids than on the street with cars going by at 25 miles or faster on the
road a few feet from the kids. Crazy idea don't you think?
We support moving bicycles off the sidewalk, but only if a more robust system for
bicycles is created throughout the city. We pull a bike trailer with our children in it, and
we want to feel safe with them while biking.
Unless the bike is traveling less than 10 mph they should not be on the sidewalk.
Let them be on the sidewalk so I don't hit them with my car
As long as the city is going to allow cars and trucks in the bike lanes we might as well
allow bikes on sidewalks.
I feel that if bikes are allowed (evidence has shown no terrible consequences to this,
and young people want and need bikes as they move away from fossil fuel usage) then
the city should also allow electric scooter RENTALS. It would be good for the city to
bring young, bright, educated talent to the area to supplement an aging population
that is complacent in letting Oshkosh slip into a trashy category like Beloit. We want
clean infrastructure that supports bike and non-fossil fuel transportation, not
emissions, temperature controlled storage, and fast food with parking where green
space used to be. That promotes only trash people moving here, causing higher crime
rates while young talent runs for the hills, to a more civilized and welcoming area (like
Appleton, Green Bay or even Neenah Menasha.) These things are TOTALLY connected.
Bikes are important to the livelihood of our city today, and it is time Oshkosh does
what is best for the city and everyone here, instead of just the old rich people and
large corporations looking to pollute and profit off of the rest of us.
Bicycles should be a priority when considering transportation in our city
Bikes should only be allowed on sidewalks if the roads are too busy or for young
children.
Bicycles on the sidewalk present a hazard, not just to pedestrians, but to cars, too,
because their speed makes them unpredictable and they o en ride against traffic). I
would support children being allowed to ride on the sidewalks or with an adult, but
adults should be riding on the road/street (on the correct side) in most cases, unless
it's not safe for them to do so (eg. busy streets like Jackson that don't have bike lanes).
If a decision is made to not allow bikes on sidewalks or on some specific sidewalks, a
strong and continuous communication campaign letting the community know would
be needed. My concern is that the people that will end up getting “in trouble” for
biking where they are not allowed will be people with lower incomes, those that may
have their driver license revoked or otherwise unable to drive a car, and people of
color.
Whatever is decided please keep exceptions for youths to use the sidewalks.
Steers like Bowen are too busy to ride in the street but there is no alternative route as
north of Murdock it is the only north-south route. Because of the irregular layout of the
city, main thoroughfares are o en the only viable route but are not safe for bikes.
I feel like riding on sidewalks is a safe alternative for younger children.
They should continue to be allowed. However in the downtown area, no. Have signs
that say please walk bicycles. Also we should have signs on multi use trails that inform
bikers to let walkers know that they are behind them. Such as using a bell giving a
shout out ‘Hey I’m on your le ’. We need to educate walker and riders that trails are
for both and be mindful and respectful of each other. E assist bikes are here to stay
and should not be treated any differently than regular bikes. It’s an older population
that is using them and they shouldn’t be discriminated against. However electric bikes
that go over the 30mph should not be allowed on trails and sidewalks, these would be
bikes that do not require pedaling. We also need to educate drivers. They are
sometimes more of a menace than bikers. It should also be legal for a bike on the road
to yield through a stop sign. Bikes should not be required by law to come to a full stop
at a stop sign.
I personally don’t feel safe on some roads and would not want to be forced to use the
road.
It's dangerous for pedestrians. I've been close to being hit many times by bike riders
on sidewalks.
Most people use good common sense an switch to the street if pedestrians are on the
street. They also keep their speeds low. Motorized skateboards are a different
situation and I do not support them on sidewalks.
Bikes on sidewalks make sense unless they're the "road bikes" keeping up with traffic
at higher speeds. Reinstate the bicycle license to help pay the fair share for bicycle
lanes and markings
If bicycled were to be banned from sidewalks, alternate safe options must exist such
as bike lanes in all city streets
I bike with children and not all are able to ride in the street. Also, we bike a lot in
Menominee Park. I would love to see signs reminding people to stay to the right as
well as sogns reminding bikers to announce when they pass. Ex, calling out, "Passing
on the le ."
Young children should be able to ride on the sidewalk, but adults and teenagers
should ride on the street and follow traffic regulations.
in some circumstances, there is no other way to get where you need to go, i.e. busy
streets with no shoulder
Bikes SHOULD BE ALLOWED on busy streets to protect the rider, like over the bridges,
and on streets like Wisconsin, Ohio, Oregon, Jackson streets. Secondary streets
should have bikes ride on street. North Main is hard to say.
I would hate to see the city not allow bikes on sidewalks. I think you have to give
people the benefit of the doubt and assume that most of the time, people will adjust to
a situation on their own. If a sidewalk is a little crowded, most bicyclists will know to
move to the road to avoid the crowded sidewalk. It's just common sense. I don't think
we have to go to all sorts of lengths to change the way people have to drive their cars,
go to the expense to repaint bike lanes and all that. Growing up in Oshkosh as a kid,
we were taught to ride on the right side of the road, or the sidewalk, and there were
no bike lanes at all. And, it worked just fine. Yes, of course, you will get the occasional
jerks that ride their bikes where they shouldn't, but that won't change even if you
create bike lanes and such. I would say that these new powered bikes should have to
be on the road though. I feel there needs to be some legislation regarding these types
of bikes, but that is a separate issue to deal with. But, as it stands now, I see some
people going upwards of 40 mph on these things which gets them more into scooter
or lightweight motorcycle range, and thus, have no business on sidewalks.
As an avid biker for recreation and transportation, the streets of Oshkosh are far from
bike friendly. The idea of not bring able to ride sidewalks on busy streets and the far
from bike friendly roundabouts is truly scary and will result in less people biking rather
than using their cars.
No e bikes on side walks
I live on Bowen St. In the past 5 years I've had more than a dozen near collisions with
bicycles on the sidewalk in front of my house while walking my dog. All of them were
adults, approached me from behind and all were traveling too fast for conditions (a
sidewalk shared with pedestrians). In one incident I was hit by the handlebars as the
cyclist veered around me. He didn't stop. I rarely see a cyclist using Bowen street and
understand why, vehicle traffic is dense and exceeds the speed limit. In the 40 years
I've lived on Bowen, I've bicycled on the quiet streets.
It would be reasonable to allow bikes on all sidewalks but require the bikes be
"walked" on particularly busy streets. It is great exercise for kids and should be
encouraged as much as possible for all.
Some bicyclists feel safer on sidewalks for fear of getting hit by a car.
I don't think they belong on sidewalks, but if they are on the streets, they need to obey
the same laws as vehicles. I live on a one way street. There are always bicycles going
the wrong way and taunting oncoming traffic.
If bikes are not allowed on sidewalks it would make bike riding a lot more difficult and
dangerous in some places in the city.
It will be safer and cheaper to continue to work towards effective sharing of sidewalks
between pedestrians (including cyclists) than to force cyclists to try to share roads
with automobiles. Bike lanes would be a good investment, but there are still many
cases where it may not be appropriate to force cyclists off the sidewalk into the bike
lane, i.e. young children. Electric bikes do complicate this some as the powered nature
changes the risks to the rider and those around them. But let's not force our cyclists
into the streets because the state does not currently allow us to address them
separately. If e-bikes are causing a real problem, let's get some real data to support
substantiate the claim and petition the state to allow a real solution to be developed.
Not everyone is aware of bicycles being allowed on sidewalks. Rules for using bikes
sensibly should be widely distributed.
Dangerous to ride a bike on the street downtown and other busy streets. Must be
mindful of young people and elders. Sidewalks must remain available! Why restrict a
person's freedom to make a safe choice? Really concerned about my grandchildren
and myself.
Main St is too narrow and the sidewalks are to busy with pedestrians to allow bikes.
The city has done an absolutely awful job when it comes to cycle infrastructure. No
cyclist should be blamed for riding on the sidewalk because it becomes the only safe
place to ride in most commuter situations. Going east to west in the city requires
riding on 20th, South Park, 9th, or Witzel. None of these have safe cycle infrastructure
(9th has some but it randomly ends at Knapp and prior to any businesses). Going
north to south, one must cross the river. There is only one bridge that is safe for
cyclists. Build cycle infrastructure and concern over cyclists on sidewalks will
disappear.
My grandson is 7 and learning how to be a better bike rider. We live in Stoney Beach
and when we ride to Ardy & Eds or playgrounds, I insist on him using the sidewalk
along 45 rather than riding in the street for safety - especially when crossing the
tracks! There are other places like this in the city and an outright sidewalk ban would
be dangerous for young & old riders. Most of the time I ride in the street but I actively
seek less busy streets. I use a bell on my bike to alert pedestrians I am approaching.
Might think instead of requiring bike riders to walk their bikes on pedestrian busy
sidewalks in specific busy locations like downtown/Main Street. I ride for health
reasons since it is easier on a bad knee than walking (which I also love to do). Let's
make Oshkosh a great bicycling city!!
Question - if there is no biking area on a street where do you ride? Where do children
learn to bike?
Most cyclists on the sidewalk around Oshkosh, I've notices, are going at a leisurely
pace and would not gain any safety from cycling on the road where cars are. I notice
more "Experienced" bikers rolling through stops than I do leisurely biker. And the
notion of banning cycling on a park trail doesn't make sense. If we can't bike on a
sidewalk, and the roads around town aren't meant for biking, just where is it safe to
use a bike? These laws can become quickly cumbersome and should be looked at in
the real world. Ask, "Is this actually going to make sense?"
NOT e-bikes!!
I have seen people riding bikes on sidewalks and hitting or scaring pedestrians leaving
stores and restaurants. It’s dangerous.
I believe that bikes should be allowed on sidewalks but pedestrians definitely should
have priority.
They should not be allowed where doors open directly on to the sidewalk. Bicyclists
should be required to walk their bikes across streets in the crosswalk when riding on
the sidewalk.
Motorized e-bikes, essentially "motorcycles" do not belong on sidewalks & must obey
traffic laws.
foolish.
I would prohibit cycling on all city sidewalks for all except children under a certain age,
probably ten or twelve years old. Some exception has to be made for crossing the
river. The grid surface gets really slippery when wet. Personally I walk my bike across
the bridges except for Wisconsin street which I consider part of the Wiowash trail and
wide enough to accommodate both pedestrians and bicycles (being very careful).
It’s not like ppl are walking on them and the car drivers are looking to hit bicycles…so
yeah
Only young children should be able to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk.
If bicycles are removed from sidewalks, how will it be enforced?
Until dedicated bike paths/ lanes are fully developed, there is little alternative to
sidewalks in much of Oshkosh. Most sidewalks are not heavily used by pedestrians, so
conflicts are extremely limited. Significant bike path additions are badly needed in
Oshkosh.
It is very dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. E-bikes will compound the
danger.
Oshkosh is not bike friendly in that drivers do not watch out for bikers. Round abouts
are horribly dangerous. We live west of 41 and always ride the sidewalks to get to the
trails or downtown as witzel and ninth have way to much traffic and no bike lane to
safely ride. So many more are biking do oshkosh needs to figure out how to
accommodate bikers in a safe manner. Our trails are nice but even those you need to
get on streets to connect with them.
I think children should always be an exception to these and should be allowed to ride
their bicycles on any public right of way in every circumstance.
You need to consider children when setting these rules. If you decide that bikes cannot
be used on sidewalks, then every child with a bike has to ride in the street next to
motorists? That is unsafe. It's a great idea for adults, but if the rules need to be the
same for everyone regardless their age, then bikes need to stay on sidewalks.
Bi
I would be ok prohibiting bikes on busy sidewalks if there were dedicated bike lanes
(not the sharrows) on the corresponding road.
just let people ride bikes please... this should not be as difficult as it is being made...
also...scooters too... !!! far far far larger issues to be dealing with at this point.
It’s difficult to ride a bike on Main Street. I get yelled at when I ride in the street.
Sidewalk is much safer, but I get yelled at for that also.
A bike exception could be made for children under 10 to allow them on sidewalks. I
hate that I am expected to walk on the grass as a bike passes me. I am a senior citizen
and o en the bikers are younger.
It’s dangerous for people walking and drivers can’t see them.
No bikes on downtown sidewalks in pedestrian areas.
Until there are safe, dedicated bike lanes throughout the city, I think they need to be
allowed on the sidewalks. However, police foot patrols in busy areas with ordinances
to protect foot pedestrians would also be nice. It is important that they don't have to
worry about being run over by people acting/driving like idiots on bikes.
It is o en more dangerous for bikers to ride on sidewalks. Drivers of cars do not
expect them there, and since bikes are faster than walkers, there is higher risk of
accidents. I have seen this when people ride on 9th St sidewalks and drivers fly up to
the stop signs. Also, when people are turning into driveways, they are checking the
road and the sidewalks, but a fast biker can seem to appear out of nowhere if they
ride the sidewalk.
Some drivers are kind, polite; others are bullies and exhibit threatening behavior to
bicyclists, pedestrians, as well as other drivers. We have had close calls with vehicles.
Some streets are just way too busy/dangerous for biclycles
Most of the time there aren’t many, or any people on the sidewalk. Biking on the
streets makes me nervous. Bike lanes are an extremely dangerous trend. Someone is
going to get killed in Oshkosh using one. They give bikers a false sense of security and
bikers sometimes act like they are superior to vehicular traffic. In a vehicle/bike
encounter, the biker won’t come out the winner. I wish the city would get rid of the
bike lanes.
Some streets have too much traffic to safely operate a bicycle. I live on Bowen street
and would never ride on Bowen. I use the sidewalk to a side street.
We need to make bicycling much safer and more accessible and more celebrated in
Oshkosh. We need many more as well as better street bike lanes throughout the city
to create safe spaces for cyclists. Due to the extreme lack of safe bicycle lanes on the
streets, the safest spots for cyclists - especially children - are sidewalks or park paths.
Bicycles on sidewalks would be ok if there were some sort of public campaign
teaching etiquette of riding bikes on sidewalks. Many times I have not felt safe walking
on main street with cyclists who are not paying attention to pedestrians
I have had a family member severly injured from a bike car accident. Just last week, I
hit a car on my bicycle when the car turned right immediately in front of me without a
signal. I ride day and night with an illuminated front and rear light to increase visibility.
My bike is equally as valid a means of transportation as a car, but in a car-bike
accident, I lose. Protect bikers, you can't limit us to only streets or sidewalks - it is
likely a death sentence to someone. If you bike regularly, there are times when it is
safer in the road so traffic sees you (roundabouts, busy cross traffic intersections) and
there are times when you really need to be one the sidewalk (crossing bridges).
Vehicle traffic doesn't see sidewalk traffic the same way and a car turning in front of
you is very dangerous. Unfortunately, aggressive driving, bordering on road rage is
common, as is texting and inattentive driving. An accident is one thing in car - It is a
whole different thing on a bike. Prioritize bike traffic with the same interest as you do
vehicle traffic. It will literally change the city.
This isn't about the sidewalk riding but the sharrow--very confusing where the bike or
car should be.
Prohibit in high traffic areas?? NO, require them to walked on Main St etc is fine. Also
have bike lanes in this area then or clear signage to get around the area by bike. The
buses do not run late enough for many folks that need to use something other then a
car to get to and from jobs and limit access to choices for even applying. Also my kids
ride their bike all the time and they can not safely do so in this city. I am a very tall
person on a red bike and people don't see me. Or the large blue trailer on the back of
my bike with my toddler in it. And many sidewalks are not large enough for the trailers.
If the city is going to prohibit these things they need to fix these other issues first. Also
what for the bicycles with a long handle many parents use now?
It is safer to ride bikes on larger sidewalks than on the street for many reasons: safer
for children to ride on sidewalks, safer to ride on sidewalks of one-way streets, safer
to ride on sidewalks over brides, safer to ride on sidewalks near roundabouts.
Let citizens take personal responsibility to make safe choices and hold only those who
don't responsible for their poor choice. Keep the government out of our freedom.
My main problem is the complete disregard of pedestrians coming in and out of
businesses on Main st.. maybe they could "bike lane" the sidewalks so bikes would be
pushed to the terrace area of the sidewalk? There are some areas where you have no
choice (some of the intersections crossing 41) but my general feeling is if you are over
10 years old and riding your bike on the sidewalk you are an idiot. My favorite are the
people who are riding on the sidewalk and there's an 8 foot parking lane and a 3 foot
bike lane right next to them. Idiots. Thanks for letting me vent. My friend Dave has had
to hear me vent about this on our last 2 walks, ha ha.
I mostly am a pedestrian and have had to yield sidewalks to bikers (bikers should yield
sidewalks to pedestrians) - I don't think it is fair for pedestrians to have to walk on
busy streets to avoid bikers riding side by side or on narrow sidewalks. Several times
they don't even give a courtesy "I'm behind you" like they do on trails. If bikers do use
sidewalks they should still be going with the flow of traffic (in my personal belief and
how I was taught, bikers on matter where they ride should go with the flow of traffic.)
Please encourage bicyclists to alert walkers. "On your right!" or a bell would make me
more comfortable with bikers on sidewalks or trails. I walk these sidewalks and trails
every day and o en have a bike come up behind me with no warning. Bikes need to
have some consideration of walkers.
Bicycles should be allowed on the sidewalks because unfortunately the streets are not
safe to ride on because of the vehicle traffic. Those that don’t feel comfortable should
be able to use the sidewalk with no penalty. If the city had uniform bike lanes, it would
be different, but unfortunately we don’t.
Question number 8 of the survey is flawed... it does not allow sidewalk as a response,
which is the purpose of this survey right?
It is much safer for younger children to ride on sidewalks. A child just learning to ride
a bike and younger children should not be biking in the street!!! There are some
streets that are so busy I feel safer on the sidewalk.
I think that if the street is busy, the bikes should use the sidewalk. It’s safer for
everyone. If the street isn’t busy, the road is fine. I think people (pedestrians and
bikers) just need to be courteous to others around them.
Bikes with engines should not be allowed on sidewalks.
Allowing bicycles on sidewalks is dangerous. Aside from children, no one should be
riding their bike on the sidewalk.
I am handicapped and my handicap cart is my only transportation. I live downtown
and the closest grocery store is on Murdock. So I travel the sidewalks a lot, and also
on the lake trails. There are o en everything from skate boards, electric skate boards,
Roller blades, bicycles, other handicapped carts and wheelchairs, and a lot of people
walking dogs. We all seem to find a way to use the path and be enjoy each other. To
me the traffic in this town is way to busy for bikes to have to be on the street,
especially for little kids. My only problem is when things like the Walleye Tournament
is held on the park it is always staged on the sidewalk. And the trail is not posted so
that you know not to go up there. This year the night before the tournament, I got up
there and there were many guys blocking the sidewalk. That is the only way to get
from the lake trail to the trail in Miller Bay. So I politely said excuse me and got dirty
looks. finally I slowly rolled toward them and they started to part the way very rudely. I
got near the crosswalk and two of them refused to move. The crowd had closed in
behind me and I had nowhere to go. Finally I screamed excuse me and they just stared
at me so I slowly ran into them. They got out of the way but were mad. Then I get
across the crosswalk and there was a sawhorse blocking that sidewalk facing Miller
Bay. I had nowhere else to go so I pushed it aside with my handicapped cart. Why in
the world would the city allow them to set up in an area blocking a very busy sidewalk
which is enjoyed by alot of the locals everyday. What really made me mad is I have
spent the last 48 years helping handicapped, alcoholics, addicts, parolees and
homeless. I would never treat anyone like that let alone a person on a handicapped
cart. I was very upset and do plan on writing the Mayor. There are plenty of areas they
could set up such as where the Christmas tree is psut across the street.
Do not allow bicycles on sidewalks unless the rider is under the age of 10.
So many streets don’t have a bike lane or if there is a bike lane it is so tight in busy
streets. Especially when I’m biking with my young child I don’t want to have her on a
busy street biking. People text, eat, etc while driving and little kids aren’t always
straight and true with their navigation and steering. I feel like my daughter would
never want to bike if she had to only be in the street because it scares her to be by the
cars.
Stopping ruining busy streets like Murdock by removing driving lanes to add a bicycle
only lane. Please do not do this to Jackson and South Main. This is where Highway 45
goes through. I, like most people, are perfectly, and prefer, to ride 1 block away from a
busy road so it's safer and easier for everyone with the bicycle on the quiet street.
I believe it would be safer to keep bikes off sidewalks on heavy pedestrian streets
I support allowing bicycles on sidewalks if it increases the number of bikers for all the
reasons in #6. HOWEVER, pedestrians are the most vulnerable and MUST have the
right of way to insure their SAFETY. Bikers are allowed to ride on sidewalks as a
courtesy with responsibility to pedestrians. I do not think bikers should have to detour
around city streets since they are using their power to travel. Bikers should not have
the right to make pedestrians move out of the way for them, if they cannot ride in the
street. We should encourage bikers to ride downtown & provide bike storage. Bikers
should be encouraged to ride everywhere in the city.
Young children on sidewalk for safety
We want to encourage bicycle riding in our city not discourage. Making more “rules”
only limits people and I turn may discourage. Some may feel safer in sidewalks than
streets and if you take that away then you take away a healthy option for them etc.
giving options of the various areas to ride encourages all!
Many more people would ride bikes if they could ride on sidewalks. Thank you.
I most o en bike with my children. I bike on the street and they bike on the sidewalks
if there isn’t a dedicated bike lane. It’s much safer for them - especially in places
where drivers do NOT pay attention to cyclists.
Busy streets are NOT enjoyable to ride on due to the level of traffic and poor driving or
lack of attention to bikes/pedestrians by a lot of drivers. Sidewalks many times are the
only safe alternative to that on these busy streets. I've found that bicyclists are far
more aware and courteous of pedestrians than vehicles are of bicyclists. Leave
cyclists the opportunity to use the sidewalk if they are uncomfortable with riding on
busy streets!
Biking is VERY unsafe in oshkosh due to shared use with non-attentive drivers. more
bike lanes and trails needed. some folks can't avoid the roads. Need a bike path OVER
highway 41-NO safe access accross.
Standard human peddled bikes should absolutely get to use the sidewalk as road rage
and inattentive driving has increased exponentially throughout the years. However
anything that is powered by a non human source should be relegated to the road.
Bicycles in the road are considered by the state as vehicles so they abide by speed
limits and traffic signals. Sidewalks do not. E-bikes and gas powered can reach speed
limits and are a safety concern on sidewalks. Peddled bicycles are not as they are
slower.
My kids ride there bikes daily and will always use the sidewalk. It’s crazy that kids and
adults are suppose to use the street. This day I’m age when drivers are more
distracted than ever we should keep people safe. Also when people ride there bikes in
the street they don’t follow any rules anyways so they cause more problems. They
dont always stay on the bike lane, they don’t follow any stop signs or traffic lights.
Yes, for safety's sake we need to give bike lanes the best chance to work safely.
Authorities need to warn/ticket individuals for standing/parking/etc in the bike lane.
Just some of the examples I see o en are the UPS/Fed Ex guy making a delivery, a
neighbor just popping in quickly to drop something off, and landscapers parking there
for 20 minutes or so to work a yard. I live on East Irving and it is ridiculous how o en I
see vehicles blocking the bike lanes because they are more interested in their own
convenience than the safety of bicycle travelers. By blocking the bike lane these
vehicles end up the reason cyclists are in the middle of the road. The exact issue the
bike lanes are there to prevent.
Bikes should NOT be on busy streets like 9th ave. The sidewalk is a MUCH better
option for both bikes and cars.
I think the city is doing good at adding in bike lanes. The enforcement them could be
better. I would also like it if there was a app or map of routes within the city for
residents and visitors.
In cases of adults riding with children, I'd suggest the adults ride in the road and
children on the sidewalk. I would love to be able to bike on all city streets but it's too
dangerous. You just can't trust many drivers to watch. I live on the West side of town
near Hwy 41 and work at UW Oshkosh. I've wanted to bike to work, or bike to the Slow
Roll rides on that side of town, and there isn't a safe path to the other side. On the flip
side, I've also personally experienced bicyclists in the road who purposefully get close
to vehicles and ride in the lane of traffic when they should be near the curb. At stop
signs when there's a line of cars, I've also experienced a bicyclist pass all cars on the
right who were stopped so that they could reach the stop sign. Until safer paths for
bikes are created or more policing of bikes and drivers, it would be best to continue
allowing bikes on the sidewalk.
Keep them off city streets.
Good exercise for elderly people, except in heavy pedestrian areas. There they should
walk there bike.
Some places I use, like the bridges over the Fox, are dangerous for bikes to use the
road.
It is a lot safer for children to ride on the sidewalks. Many children (including some
adults I would add) do not know or ignore the rules of the road for bicyclists and are
therefore a hazard to themselves and those operating motor vehicles on the streets. It
is safer for everyone if children would ride on the sidewalks and many do. I fear for
those who ride in the streets and don't know/ignore the rules of the road.
I wish riders would use a bell or say something when they come up behind you. Some
do, & I always say thank you to them. Most do not. Otherwise, I think sidewalks are
safer for bicycles than the street. Car drivers are becoming increasingly inattentive &
surly.
Create a right of way for pedestrians
We love that we can take our kids safely on a bicycle ride on Sidewalks, please don't
make this an issue for families.
Oshkosh should consider an ordinance that distinguishes between bikes and e-bikes.
E-bike speed and the way they are typically operated is more dangerous than a pedal
bike and should only be used on the road.
There’s kids in my neighborhood who love to ride their bikes around on the sidewalks.
They’re pretty bad at riding, and sometimes steer or brake erratically. This is a pain on
the sidewalk, and o en requires people to be extra careful when walking near them. If
you force these kids to ride their bikes in the street, you’re asking for one of them to
be hit and killed by a car. There aren’t a ton of good solutions here, but forcing all the
bikes into the street is certainly a bad one.
Yes. Would it not just be simple to mark certain sections of sidewalk as “walking bike
sections”. Meaning if you want to be on the sidewalk in those areas, you must walk the
bike. Otherwise, if you want to ride it, then you can remain on the roads. A second
option would be to install bike “detour” signs around the heavy traffic areas - sidewalk
and road. For example, one block off main. Sign it VERY VERY visibly and
communicate it heavily. Just some quick suggestions.
Pedal-assisted bikes, class 1 bikes are bikes w/o a throttle. Pedal Assisted Bikes with
battery power are Class 1, and Class 1 only. Other bikes must be licensed as motor-
vehicles.
No adults on sidewalks. Kids Under 12 should be allowed to bike on them.
Rather be on the sidewalk or in a designated lane than getting in the way of cars
Add bike lanes and knock off these ******** road diets. Use that space for bikes
I have very strong feelings about bikes being allowed on sidewalks. I ride my bike with
my 8 year old grandson and will not ride in the road because I am distracted watching
out for him. NO CHILD or person for that matter should be forced to bike in a road as
it is dangerous with distracted drivers using phones and such. If a bycicalist is hurt or
killed in an Oshkosh street due to a law like this... that blood is on the city counsels
hands for making an ordinance or law like that.
Where do you live?
In the City of Oshkosh 92% (215)
In the area around Oshkosh 8% (19)
In which category is your age?
18-24 years 2% (5)
25-34 years 9% (21)
35-44 years 23% (53)
45-54 years 18% (43)
55-64 years 21% (50)
65-74 years 23% (53)
75 years or older 3% (8)