Village of Ashwaubenon looks at biking rights on sidewalks

ASHWAUBENON – During their Jan. 28 meeting, the Ashwaubenon Village Board voted to maintain regulations for bicycles, allowing them to continue to ride on sidewalks.

The board also voted to define electric scooters under state statute and approve their right to be operated on village streets.

Because of this, electric scooters may now receive warnings and citations in the same manner as all other road vehicles.

Previously, electric scooters were not defined under statute, and in their new definition the committee wrote that, “electric scooters and electric personal assistive devices are not afforded the same rights and privileges as bicycles on village sidewalks, walking or recreational trails, Ashwaubenon Parks or any village owned property pursuant to local code.”

The committee’s proposed ordinance also included prohibiting bicycles from sidewalks.

However, the village board chose to amend this portion while voting.
Ashwaubenon Village Board President Mary Kardoskee was the first to voice concerns about restricting bicyclists rights to sidewalks.

“Where do we put the people who have five-year olds who wanna ride on the sidewalk, we’re gonna tell them they have to go on the road?” Kardoskee asked.

“Lawfully, they would be required to ride on the road,” Joel Gregozeski, bicycle and pedestrian committee representative, replied.

Kardoskee quickly made it clear that removing people on bicycles from sidewalks, specifically children, was a “no-starter” for her.

“That’s our most vulnerable population, our little people. They have to have somewhere to ride. You can’t take a five-year old and put them on the street,” Kardoskee continued.

Village Board Member Chris Atkinson agreed with Kardoskee, saying, “If you’re not comfortable on a road, you should be able to go to the sidewalk.”

Atkinson also brought up concerns for bicyclists in heavy traffic or on busy roads.

Board Member Tracy Fluke of Wards No. 11 and 12 appeared to be the only member in favor of this ordinance.

Flucke informed the board that state statute, as well as all surrounding communities adjacent to Ashwaubenon, do not allow bicycles on sidewalks.

Research conducted by state statute states that bicyclists are safer on roads than sidewalks because drivers operating vehicles are more likely to see a patron who is cycling on the road than a biker who transitions from the sidewalk to the street in an effort to cross.

Flucke asked her fellow board members to keep this research in mind.
“I know the gut feeling, you feel like (the sidewalk) is the safest place to be. Reality is that it’s not,” Flucke concluded.

Flucke also brought attention to the scarce number of sidewalks in the village of Ashwaubenon, indicating that those who are hesitant to ride bicycles on the road do not have the local option of a sidewalk.

“Almost every residential street in our community, a five-year-old has to go out on the road to be able to ride their bike,” Flucke said.

The village streets that include sidewalks, such as Oneida and Cormier, are not often used by those who are tentative when operating bicycles.

Lastly, Flucke mentioned her concern for pedestrians sharing sidewalks with bicyclists operating at significantly faster speeds.

The discussed item of action reached the village board after the bicycle and pedestrian committee failed to reach a consensus regarding the allowance of bicycles on village sidewalks.

The committee vote was split three to three, and therefore was brought before the village board.

Ashwaubenon Board Member Kelly Servais questioned Gregozeski on if this action could be sent back to committee.

Servais pointed out that the committee has appointed a new member since they last reviewed bicycles and their rights to sidewalks, yet Chris Atkinson made a note that final decision would likely return to the village board.

Other business

• In addition to this action, the second edition of a final subdivision plat was approved for Highland Ridge Estates, the first one being approved in April of 2021.
• The following approved item was a development agreement for the second addition plat.
• Next, a revised marathon course was approved for the EPIC marathon and running festival coming up on May 18.

• Element Way’s new mini-park was approved for landscaping, laid concrete, electrical power and a drinking fountain.
• Aswaubenon Director of Public Works Brian Rickert proposed an advanced fleet replacement order. The order included two dump trucks, arriving in 2026 and a garbage truck, arriving in 2027. The board approved this order, the total cost of the three vehicles is $1,042,000.