Post by admin on Dec 15, 2009 16:28:14 GMT -5
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Freehold wants bikes to be placed in racks
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Borough officials have introduced an ordinance aimed at regulating the manner of parking and securing bicycles on Freehold's streets.
The ordinance was introduced by the Borough Council on Dec. 7. It states that "the uncontrolled placement and tethering or securing of bicycles in public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-ofway on public property presents an inconvenience and a danger to the safety and welfare of persons using such rights-of-way, including pedestrians and persons entering and leaving vehicles and buildings."
The ordinance states that these factors "constitute an unreasonable interference with and construction of the use of public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-ofway, are injurious to health, offensive to the senses, and constitute such obstruction of the free use of property and interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property by the entire community."
According to Dan Megill, the borough's engineering aide, bicycle racks have been installed over the last year at the following locations:
• two bicycle racks at the Freehold Borough bus station on Throckmorton Street;
• two bicycle racks in the Market Yard between Main and Mechanic streets;
• one bicycle rack in the pocket park known as Gere Park on Throckmorton Street across from St. Peter's Episcopal Church;
• one bicycle rack in front of the CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street.
Officials said the bicycle racks have been placed where bicycles have historically been parked.
According to Megill, officials are trying to accommodate the needs of individuals who use a bicycle as a primary means of transportation. He said at some point officials may explore the possibility of placing additional bicycle racks in the borough, if necessary.
The bicycle racks have been funded by the borough and by private contributions.
According to the proposed ordinance, the borough recognizes that many residents use a bicycle as a primary means of transportation and as a means to visit the downtown district and that adequate facilities need to be in place for the safe and secure parking storage of these bicycles.
Under the ordinance, parking, tethering or securing bicycles upon or to sidewalks, poles, traffic signals, hydrants, mailboxes or trees is prohibited and residents will be required to use the bicycle racks that have been provided throughout town.
According to the ordinance, bicycles that are found not placed in a rack, or left on streets, sidewalks or on private properties without the consent of the owner will be seized and impounded by the borough. The owner of the bicycle may claim the bicycle after paying $20 per bicycle. In addition, there will also be a
1 per day charge for storage. The owner will also have to identify the bicycle by make and color.
Any bicycle that is unclaimed after six months will be sold at public auction.
A public hearing, second reading and possible vote on the adoption of this ordinance has been scheduled for the Dec. 21 meeting of the Borough Council.
Freehold wants bikes to be placed in racks
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — Borough officials have introduced an ordinance aimed at regulating the manner of parking and securing bicycles on Freehold's streets.
The ordinance was introduced by the Borough Council on Dec. 7. It states that "the uncontrolled placement and tethering or securing of bicycles in public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-ofway on public property presents an inconvenience and a danger to the safety and welfare of persons using such rights-of-way, including pedestrians and persons entering and leaving vehicles and buildings."
The ordinance states that these factors "constitute an unreasonable interference with and construction of the use of public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-ofway, are injurious to health, offensive to the senses, and constitute such obstruction of the free use of property and interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property by the entire community."
According to Dan Megill, the borough's engineering aide, bicycle racks have been installed over the last year at the following locations:
• two bicycle racks at the Freehold Borough bus station on Throckmorton Street;
• two bicycle racks in the Market Yard between Main and Mechanic streets;
• one bicycle rack in the pocket park known as Gere Park on Throckmorton Street across from St. Peter's Episcopal Church;
• one bicycle rack in front of the CVS Pharmacy on West Main Street.
Officials said the bicycle racks have been placed where bicycles have historically been parked.
According to Megill, officials are trying to accommodate the needs of individuals who use a bicycle as a primary means of transportation. He said at some point officials may explore the possibility of placing additional bicycle racks in the borough, if necessary.
The bicycle racks have been funded by the borough and by private contributions.
According to the proposed ordinance, the borough recognizes that many residents use a bicycle as a primary means of transportation and as a means to visit the downtown district and that adequate facilities need to be in place for the safe and secure parking storage of these bicycles.
Under the ordinance, parking, tethering or securing bicycles upon or to sidewalks, poles, traffic signals, hydrants, mailboxes or trees is prohibited and residents will be required to use the bicycle racks that have been provided throughout town.
According to the ordinance, bicycles that are found not placed in a rack, or left on streets, sidewalks or on private properties without the consent of the owner will be seized and impounded by the borough. The owner of the bicycle may claim the bicycle after paying $20 per bicycle. In addition, there will also be a
1 per day charge for storage. The owner will also have to identify the bicycle by make and color.
Any bicycle that is unclaimed after six months will be sold at public auction.
A public hearing, second reading and possible vote on the adoption of this ordinance has been scheduled for the Dec. 21 meeting of the Borough Council.
