Town of Apple Valley Outlaws Bicycles in all Town Parks « Sharon’s Blog

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Town of Apple Valley Outlaws Bicycles in all Town Parks

I’ve posted a couple of pieces on the BMX situation in the Town of Apple Valley. I did not realize at the time that not only are BMX bikes not allowed at the skatepark, but NO ONE is allowed to ride ANY TYPE of bicycle in any public park. Children are not allowed to ride bikes in the park. Adults are not allowed to ride bikes in the park. Am I the only one who thinks this is just plain crazy? Here is the article from the Daily Press.

Either four or all five of the Apple Valley Town Councilmen are Mitzelfelt boys. Needless to say that I planned to oppose those that are up for re-election in November. However, we have a whole summer ahead of us where our children will be cited and their bicycles will be confiscated if they ride their bicycles in the park. I think we need to start calling this place “People’s Republic of Apple Valley” except even in communist China children are allowed to ride bicycles in public. I am so tired of government interference in my life.

Posted on May 27th, 2008 under Brad Mitzelfelt, In the news, Town of Apple Valley • RSS 2.0 feed • You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed

7 Responses to “Town of Apple Valley Outlaws Bicycles in all Town Parks”

  1. Gravatar
    1
    Captcrazy:
    April 27th, 2008 at 4:49 pm

    Lets Do A Protest People!!!
    Town of Apple Valley. 14955 Dale Evans Parkway,
    Next meeting is May 13 2008

    The regular Town Council Meetings for the Town of Apple Valley are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Special Meetings will be posted at least 24 hours in advance. ((((Citizen participation is a vital aspect of the decision-making process in the Town of Apple Valley.)))) Residents and business operators are encouraged to attend Town Council meetings and to get involved in issues that affect the community.

    The Town Council may be reached at (760) 240-7000 ext. 7800

    “My personal goal. I value very highly the trust that the citizens of Apple Valley have given me. We must always remember that it is the citizens whom we serve. They are at the top of our organization.” -Bob Sagona. Apple Valley Mayor Pro Tem

  2. Gravatar
    2
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    Hey ya’ll,

    Remember the TV series called, “30 Days” where Morgan Spurlock lives in somebody else’s shoes for 30 days and and Super Size Me, where he eats at McDonald’s for 30 days. I should see, if he wants to make a 30 Days in the life of a Apple Valley BMX biker. He could hang out with the youth and get kicked out and chased down by police for 30 days.

    What do you guys and gals think??

    THAT WOULD BE A FUNNY, BUT SAD EPISODE…

  3. Gravatar
    3
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

    May 1, 2008 Letter section of Daily Press
    Where does it say bikes aren’t allowed?

    Re: Apple Valley cracks down on bikes in parks. Here’s what the sign reads at the park, word for word:

    Welcome
    Enjoy your visit to the park.
    PARK RULES
    No alcohol beverages
    All dogs must be on a leash
    No horses on turfed areas
    Motor vehicles not allowed on turfed areas
    Please do not dispose of liter and garbage in any part of this property except in the proper receptacles
    Golf, archery and model airplane flying are prohibited
    Note: Failure to obey posted rules is a misdemeanor up to $500 fine

    No mention of bikes, boards, skates, or scooters. As far as the “Welcome” part goes, Apple Valley residents are starting to feel very unwelcome.

    As for the sprinklers, that’s just another lame excuse the town is using to justify its propaganda.

  4. Gravatar
    4
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    This story was in todays Letter section of the Daily Press 5-1-2008
    By
    Jennifer Clarke
    Past Park and Rec Leader.

    Somewhere along the line, Apple Valley has misinterpreted Section 11.68.040 of the Town’s municipal code entitled “Specific Acts Prohibited” (for parks). Section (b) reads, “To ride or drive any skates, skateboards, horse or other animal, or to propel any vehicle, cycle, bicycle, skateboard, skates, or automobile, except in areas designated for purposes of vehicle or other travel or otherwise by the Town Manager.”

    It’s important to note that a key word in this clause is “propel”. It does not say that bike “riding” is prohibited, as it clearly does for skates, skateboards, horses or other animals, which by their mere presence can provide hazards to other park users. It merely states that” propelling” any kind of vehicle, such as a cycle, bicycle, skateboard, etc., is prohibited. This clause was written this way so that those types of “vehicles”, if not used in a safe manner, could ! be prohibited from use and the person using them in an unsafe manner could be removed from the park and/or cited on a case by case basis. This section of the municipal code was approved by the Town Council in 2002, I believe, and as the Park and Recreation Manager for the Town at that time, the intent was never meant to “prohibit” bike riding in parks. This intent or interpretation would be totally counterproductive to promoting quality recreational experiences of all kinds in parks.
    The high desert has a notable absence of sidewalks. Children are forced to ride their bikes in streets. As we all know, our streets are terribly unsafe due to people not observing speed limits.

    Niko De Benedetti, according to the paper, had his bike lying in the grass while he watched a swim meet, which should have posed a problem to no one, unless it was a tripping hazard and he refused to move the bike. If the Town had a special event occurring in the amphitheater and bike use in the park interfered with the event, then that could have been monitored/handled through the use of the municipal code as it is currently published. It does not appear this was the case, however, and this does send the wrong message.

    Jennifer Clarke
    Victorville

    I would think this means jumping off your bike or board so it is propel in a coasting manning so it hits someone?

    What do you think?

  5. Gravatar
    5
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    I was riding yesterday to the park and on the way there, I crossed the path of a skateboarder and I asked him was he on his way back from there. He said, he was on his way home from a friend’s house. I went on to tell him about the recent bike/board/scooter crack down that was going on and he said, he knew about it and that’s why he don’t go to the park anymore. IT’S VERY SAD THE TOWN COUNCIL PUT THIS FORM OF MENTAL ABUSE ON THE YOUTH…

    I don’t think the COPS should get in the middle of this. The San Bernardino Police should tell the town council that’s not what they were hired to do…”BUST KIDS FOR PLAYING AT THE PARK.”

    This type of treatment is what creates “us against them mentality.”

  6. Gravatar
    6
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

    This story is by William Cash.
    Letter section 4-29-08

    You’ve got to be kidding. Keep the good kids out of the parks so the gang bangers will have free reign?
    If the Town Council wants to keep the parks in pristine condition, then why not just prohibit people in general from going there. That way the grass and sprinklers won’t get damaged either.

    William Cash
    Victorville

  7. Gravatar
    7
    Captcrazy:
    May 5th, 2008 at 10:20 pm

    This story is by MARK SHOUP APPLE VALLEYS PAST MAYOR.
    Letter section 4-19-08

    Bicycle ban doesn’t jibe with Town’s vision of future

    The Apple Valley Town Council has apparently decided to ban bicycles on the Town’s public property. This policy needs to change, and needs to change now.

    Bicycles should be allowed in our local parks, and should be encouraged. Don’t we want our kids out exercising instead of sitting home playing video games all day? The Daily Press Monday said the town is concerned about possible damage to sprinklers. The solution is easy: put up a sign saying “no bikes on grass” and enforce it. The town should encourage bicycling by placing bike racks at town facilities, such as the pool, the library, and all our parks.

    The town’s vision calls for fostering a bicycle-friendly community. This vision has been implemented in many ways, such as a requirements for construction of bike paths. We see that occurring now in areas such as Apple Valley Road.

    The ban on bicycles on town property is inconsistent with the Town’s vision. This change in policy would be simple, and I urge the Town Council to do this immediately. The next scheduled Town Council meeting is May 13 at 6:30 p.m.

    Mark Shoup
    Apple Valley

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