Port Townsend City Council puts teeth in sidewalk ban for bicycles, skateboards

PORT TOWNSEND — An old law was given new teeth on Tuesday night.

A law prohibiting bicycles, skateboards and other non-motorized transport on city sidewalks in Port Townsend now will be enforced.

The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance which prohibits non-motorized transport on sidewalks in downtown and some of the uptown area.

The laws prohibiting riding on the sidewalks were already on the books. They just had not been enforced for several years.

The new ordinance defined locations where non-motorized transport is prohibited, calls for signs to be placed at the beginning of downtown and instructs The Port Townsend Police Department to begin enforcement.

Port Townsend resident David McCullough briefly addressed the council before its decision.

“I believe the way the ordinance is drafted now is a lot better [than before],” he said.

“I encourage signage, as it’s a key part of the ordinance being forceful.

“I know the city’s working on it with limited funds, and it is a long term process.

“I want to say thank you.”

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