26 Oct
Des Moines bike laws…or… how I tried to bike and almost found myself dead
I was nearly run over by a very kind lady today. I was bicycling on a sidewalk and she turned out of a parking lot and nearly beaned me. She chided me for riding on the sidewalk and said I should be on the street.
I hope the text below clears up this little misnomer:
(Copied from the Des Moines Municipal Code)
Sec. 114-695. Operation on sidewalk.
Bicycles may be operated upon the public sidewalks in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed not exceeding eight miles per hour. Every person lawfully operating a bicycle upon a public sidewalk, when approaching a pedestrian or a vehicle occupied by a child under the age of 16 years, shall either dismount or give a clear right-of-way to the full extent of such sidewalk to such pedestrian or child, and in overtaking such pedestrian or child shall give an audible signal before passing.
So…don’t run over bicycles, whether on the street or sidewalk. You just might kill one of your favorite local musicians…