Putting bicycles in their place in Ann Arbor

Dogs and bicycles could soon end up in the same bind with Ann Arbor city officials telling them where they are and are not allowed. Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje is pushing for a public conversation about whether or not to allow bicycles on downtown sidewalks. The City Council is currently reviewing the measure. The idea behind the new ordinance is that relegating bike travel to the streets (where bikes are legally on equal footing with automobiles) creates more room for pedestrians and makes room for sidewalk cafes. On the other hand, there are concerns that limiting the scope of where bikes can travel would stunt the growth of bicycle commuters the city has tried so hard to foster.One downtown denizen has a unique viewpoint on this issue – Rene Greff. The Ypsilanti resident is an avid bicyclist and promoter of alternative transportation, pushing for a number of non-auto solutions like replacing some car parking spots with more bike racks. She is also a longtime downtown stakeholder as co-owner of the Arbor Brewing Co. restaurant. Greff is for the proposed ordinance.”In a highly pedestrian area having bicycles on the sidewalks is dangerous for both the pedestrians and the bicyclists,” Greff says.She adds that most full-time bicyclists (think bicycle commuters and sport riders) already ride almost exclusively on the streets alongside automobiles. Greff would make an exception for children on bikes who are accompanied by a walking parent. However, downtown streets are slow enough that bicyclists that they can safely accommodate riders of all ages, shapes, sizes and levels of experience.Source: Rene Greff, co-owner of Arbor Brewing Co.Writer: Jon Zemke