Huntingburg Park Board recommends new bike ordinance to city council

The Huntingburg Park Board voted to recommend a new bike ordinance to the city council that would designate where bicycles and other mobility devices are allowed in city parks. The move comes in response to growing safety concerns over reckless riding on ball fields and park trails.

The recommendation includes three designated exceptions where bikes would still be permitted. Bikes are allowed throughout Northside Park, on the sidewalk leading to the maintenance building and parking lot at Niehaus Park, and in City Park — except on the south-side walking trail.

The recommendation follows discussion about the city’s existing bike ordinance, which prohibits riding on all sidewalks but has gone largely unenforced.

Mayor Elkins cited dangerous behavior that has already damaged city property. “We have to hold the parents responsible, whether it be their pocketbooks or whatever, because right now they are racing on our ball fields, they are racing on our brand new pickleball court,” he said.

The proposed ordinance would impose escalating fines of up to $100 per occurrence on parents and could open the door to civil action if property is damaged in restricted areas. The ordinance would also cap bike speeds at 28 miles per hour in these areas — a threshold aimed at Class 3 e-bikes — and leaves it to a police officer’s discretion to step in if someone is riding dangerously, even outside the mapped restrictions.

Elkins said the sidewalk along Chestnut is among the routes the ordinance aims to direct riders toward to go to Niehaus Park. The sidewalk allows riders and pedestrians to access Niehaus from Chestnut using a switchback route into the parking lot rather than walking or riding along Highway 64.

The ordinance would also prohibit bikes in any area closed to vehicular traffic during events, meaning riders could not pass through gatherings like Herbstfest, the Christmas stroll or concerts at Market Street Park.

During the discussion, Mayor Elkins said the city is working with the State of Indiana and the school corporation on a plan to install 6-foot-wide shared sidewalks in key corridors leading to the school.

The city council is expected to take up the recommendation in September, following the next Board of Public Works meeting.