Philadelphia - A Bike-Friendly-Anti-Bike Town - PhillyBlog

MayfairMeat · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 12:51 PM

http://kyw1060.com/pages/340139.php?...ntentId=400344

I have been wondering myself... what are the rules for rollerblading on the pavement.

I really don't think it is a wise idea to rollerblade in a bike lane, given that crashes happen more often, it is harder to stop and the trolley tracks and steep grade changes make it difficult, whereas the pavement is more amicable to it.

The city code only bans bikes on the pavement for adults, but does not mention rules against rollerblades.

Since I'm going to start learning how to rollerblade soon, I would sorta like help on what is kosher and what isn't.

TopCat · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2007, 06:33 PM

I cherry picked a little from Bill # 970817
http://www.locallawpub.com/update/10-0611.htm

Quote:

BILL NO. 970817
(APPROVED SEPTEMBER 15, 1998)

Section 10-611. Sidewalk Behavior.

(1) Scope. The provisions of this Section shall apply as follows:
(b) The following provisions shall apply only in the zones designated by Council: (2)(c), relating to riding a bicycle on the sidewalk; (2)(d), relating to riding a scooter, roller skates or skateboard on the sidewalk;

(c) The provisions identified in subsection (b) above shall apply in the following designated zones only:

(.1) The area bounded by the north side of Vine street on the north, the west side of Broad street on the east, the south side of Lombard street on the south, and the Schuylkill River on the west.
(.2) Broad street, from the south side of City Hall-South to the Philadelphia Naval Business Center.
(.3) South street, from the west side of Broad street to the Schuylkill River.
(.4) Washington avenue, from the west side of Broad street to Grays Ferry avenue.
(.5) Grays Ferry avenue, from Washington avenue to Forty-Ninth street.
(.6) Woodland avenue from Fifty-eighth street to Seventy-fourth street.
(.7) Passyunk avenue, from Broad street to Sixty-third street.
(.8) Essington avenue, from Sixty-third street to the Bartram Avenue Airport District.
(.9) The First Councilmanic District.
(.10) The Sixth Councilmanic District.

(2) Obstructing the Sidewalk prohibited. No person shall:
(c) Ride a bicycle upon any public sidewalk.
(d) Ride a scooter, roller skates or skateboard on any public sidewalk.

(3) Exceptions.
(c) The prohibitions set forth in subsections (2)(c) and (d), relating to bicycles, scooters, roller skates and skateboards, shall not apply to any person under the age of twelve (12). Nor shall it apply to any person on inline skates who is (a) conducting patrol under a Town Watch program coordinated with the Police Department; (b) participating in an International Inline Skating Association sanctioned event; or (c) skating in a controlled manner on a public sidewalk so as to fit in with the flow of pedestrians.

(8) Penalties. A person found in violation of this Section shall be subject to penalty, as follows:
(a) For a violation of subsections (2)(c), relating to riding a bicycle on the sidewalk; (2)(d), relating to riding a scooter, roller skates or skateboard on the sidewalk; a fine of twenty (20) dollars.