Change rolls in

Bicycling and skateboarding on most Charleston sidewalks will become legal if City Council gives its OK tonight.

The change began when several Daniel Island mothers got the ear of City Councilman Gary White earlier this year.

"They wanted their children to be able to use sidewalks," he said. "It's a safer alternative than being in the streets."

The city's current prohibition on sidewalk cycling was set decades ago, when there were fewer suburban areas and cycling's popularity was at a low point.

At 7 p.m., City Council will consider giving final approval to White's ordinance that would allow children ages 15 and younger will be allowed to bike on any city sidewalk, except those along King, Market, Meeting and other commercial streets south of the Crosstown Expressway.

It also would allow bicyclists of any age to use a city sidewalk if it's at least 8 feet wide or if the speed limit on the adjoining street is 35 mph or higher.

The ordinance states that bicyclists must not be reckless and must always yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

White said the change updates the city's code so it better reflects the current city. For instance, new developments, such as Daniel Island and Carolina Bay, were designed with wider sidewalks meant to accommodate both walkers and cyclists.

"It's about becoming timely to what our city is today," White said.

The change would prohibit roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards and toy scooters from commercial sidewalks on the peninsula and also from city parking garages, tennis courts and athletic fields.

Skateboarders and skaters also would not be allowed on commercial streets downtown but could use other sidewalks. They would be banned from streets where the speed limit is 25 mph or higher -- unless they are crossing those streets.

White said the only complaint he has heard came from a Daniel Islander who liked to skate along Seven Farms Road, which now would be off limits to skaters. White said she could use the sidewalk there, though.

Rickshaws, pedicabs and motorized bicyclists would remain prohibited from city sidewalks, and those violating these new rules would be subject to a $50 fine.

In recent years, the city police have had a light touch in enforcing sidewalk bike riding, though White said police have stopped and warned some children about it. "They certainly weren't writing citations," he said.

If the ordinance passes tonight, White said the city still would remain committed to retrofitting its streets and highways so they are more able to handle bicycles and cars.

"This is kind of more of a stopgap measure," he said.

Reach Robert Behre at 937-5771 or at rbehre@postandcourier.com.