Here's That Rainy Day

Ok.  I'll admit that this morning's conditions riding into work were less than ideal.  Even though I like to promote bike commuting in both of Milwaukee's seasons (two weeks of summer and fifty weeks of winter), I openly acknowledge that I did not enjoy my commute today.  And I think I'm among friends when I say this, and, as a result, I don't feel that my self-worth is threatened in any way.  Thanks for being a friend. 

Huffy Update!

I'm pleased, or perhaps disturbed, to report that the pint-sized Huffy that appeared one morning at the bike rack behind my office is now gone.  Again, I'm concerned that the growing readership of my blog among bike thieves and other villains is on the rise and that the Huffy thief quickly reclaimed his or her stolen goods once they checked my blog and realized that I had revealed their secret hiding place to the rest of the world.  I'm sorry.  At least there's more room on the bike rack now. 

Sidewalk Riding

I don't know about you, but I have always assumed that it's illegal to cycle on the sidewalk.  Sure, people do it all the time, but I always looked down upon those who did.  (I apologize for being judgmental.)  That's why I was surprised last week when I saw a bicycle-mounted police officer cruising down the sidewalk.  Being the proud grandson of a police officer myself, I have always looked to our police force to set an example with respect to traffic code compliance.  So naturally I was confused by this officer's presence on the forbidden sidewalk. 

Then I took a look at the Milwaukee bicycle code, where I found this: 

"RIDING ON PUBLIC WAYS.  No bicycle shall be operated upon any public sidewalk, pedestrian paths in the public parks, or upon any public school grounds or public playgrounds.  This subsection shall not apply to . . . bicycles operated by police officers in the discharge of their official duties . . . ."

What this means is that police officers can ride on the sidewalk.  It's one of the perks of the job.  I felt a renewed sense of confidence in the men and women wearing our city's police uniform upon reading this ordinance.  I just wish someone would get those guys some cooler bikes. 

Photo by Thunderchild tm

By the way, if you're worried that your kids shouldn't be riding on the sidewalk, don't be.  Fortunately, they are also exempt from Milwaukee code section 102-8(2)'s ban on sidewalk riding:

"This subsection shall not apply to . . . vehicles propelled by the feet acting on pedals and having 2 or more wheels with an overall diameter of 14 inches or more when operated by children of the age of 10 years or under . . . ."

I know my kids love riding their "vehicles propelled by the feet acting on pedals and having 2 or more wheels with an overall diameter of 14 inches or more."  They call them "bikes" for short because they usually can't remember the full, proper name.  Kids are cute that way.