Monday, August 24, 2009

Florence, Oregon park now allows bikes

The ban came about shortly after the park opened in 2004, to the dismay of bicyclists who said theyd helped raise money for the park. The ban is now lifted.

http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/news/cityregion/19032069-41/story.csp

FLORENCE  B.J. Humphrey kicked up his skateboard, took a drag off his cigarette and warily surveyed the concrete curves of the Florence skatepark.

I respect them as long as they respect us, Humphrey said. I dont take up the whole park as long as they dont take up the whole park.

The us and them is skateboarders and cyclists who will share the City of Rhododendrons world-class skatepark for at least the next five months after a five-year ban on bikes. Bending to a well-organized plea from bikers, many of whom rode the park illegally and simply ran from the police when they showed up to enforce the rules, the Florence City Council recently voted in favor of a temporary reprieve of the ban.

I think its awesome, 13-year-old Danny Nielsen said perched atop a BMX-style two-wheeler and surrounded by cyclists and skaters. Theres less stress now.

That stress, chimed in 15-year-old biker Nick Holden, came from keeping a constant eye out for the police, whove dutifully responded to more than 300 phone calls complaining about unauthorized bicycling in the park. Those complaints resulted in myriad fines and confiscated bikes.

The capper for me was when we asked for a show of hands, in the meeting where the City Council decided to rescind the ban, Mayor Phil Brubaker said. Florence Police Officer Shawn Morgan could barely contain himself, the mayor said. He almost jumped out of his chair waving. Hes the guy that was sent over there a lot. Its a waste of everybodys time.

The ban came about shortly after the park opened in 2004, to the dismay of bicyclists who said theyd helped raise money for the park. Initially, the rationale was that the concrete needed to cure. But the city decided to keep the ban in place after complaints of clashes between bikers and skaters.

It was supposed to be both, said Tim Hewitt, owner of Bicycles 101, a Florence shop that sells skateboards and bikes.

Earlier this year, Hewitt gathered up a group of several dozen bikers and went with them to a city Parks and Recreation Department meeting to ask that the ban be lifted, now that the concrete is fully cured and that the bikes can be equipped with plastic pedals and pegs so they dont damage the park.

After some negotiating, city officials agreed to ask the council to rescind the ban, provided the bikers ride with plastic parts and rear brakes, cooperate with the skateboarders and not use foul language or litter.

The really impressive thing was that the kids came out and spoke for their issue in a good-old show of city-hall democracy, Brubaker said.

A month into the shared use, both sides say its working just fine.

The only confrontation is when kids come out with a bunch of metal on their bikes, said 14-year-old Wesley Hillenius, who works at Hewitts shop.

Were really good about policing each other.

For the most part, the two groups stay in separate areas of the park, and they call out when theyre dropping into a bowl, said Robbie Thompson, 21.

The first week or two, it was pretty hectic, Thompson said. Now, were starting to co-exist.

Winston Ross can be reached at (541) 902-9030 or at winston.ross@registerguard.com