THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 24, 1995 TAG: 9506210011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Rather than encouraging people to ride their bicycles to Town Point Park and Waterside, the city of Norfolk has chosen to harass bike riders who dare to venture on the walkways astride their bikes. At Harborfest one couldn't even walk a bike around the perimeter of the park without a stern comment from a ``security'' member or a policeman. Bikers were told to park their bike in a designated spot far from the site, where there was no assurance - locked or not - that the bike would still be there when the rider returned. A bike-mounted policeman even admitted to me that he wouldn't leave his bike there.
On the other hand, you can take your bike to Virginia Beach and ride the full length of the boardwalk on a wonderful bike path and, in fact, nearly anywhere at the beach, with hundreds of other bikers and thousands of pedestrians coexisting in a holiday mood. You can lock you bike within sight and enjoy the beach or have lunch at one of the many beachfront restaurants.
It doesn't make economic sense for the city of Norfolk to preclude the bike-riding segment of the area's population when a little planning and consideration could open up Norfolk's most delightful venue for bike riders.
DAN BALLARD
Norfolk, June 19, 1995
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