By Leland Fiegel
Elm Web Editor
Skateboarders and bicyclists of Chestertown may be looking at a $100 fine if caught riding their vehicles on town sidewalks. This is a result of police enforcement of the Chestertown code in regards to restricted usage of sidewalks.
The 140.3 section of the town code reads, “It shall be unlawful for a person to operate, or cause to be operated, roller skates, scooters, skateboards or sleds upon any sidewalks of the Town of Chestertown.”
Section 160.8 of the town code, in regards to bicycle usage, reads, “The sidewalks and pavements in Chestertown shall not be used by any person […] riding a bicycle.”
These ordinances, originally passed in the 1980s, are now being enforced by Chestertown police in response to safety concerns with pedestrian traffic. Police Chief G.A. Baker wants to stress, however, that this is not a witch hunt.
He said, “we’re certainly not going to snatch up some 4-year old kid on their training wheels. It’s a matter of safety.”
As far as enforcement goes, Baker said his officers always have discretion on whether to issue a warning or citation. So being caught on a bicycle or skateboard by the police is not necessarily a guaranteed $100 fine.
“It is not a crisis. In the scope of what we have to do, it’s a low level issue.,” Baker said.
Students on campus, on the other hand, are concerned that the “legal” alternative of riding their bicycles or skateboards on streets instead of sidewalks would be more of a safety hazard for them.
Washington College freshman Neal Rodgers said, “this law is ridiculous due to the fact that it puts out the message the skateboarders should run into cars instead of people.”
The ordinance has no language restricting bicycle usage on paved roads. It is also legal to ride on the newly created “Rail Trail” that runs through downtown Chestertown.