Apr 21, 2022

Bird scooters spark antiquated ordinance talks in Great Bend

Posted Apr 21, 2022 9:40 PM
Dry Lake Brewing requested a bike rack to be placed in front of their store on Main Street.
Dry Lake Brewing requested a bike rack to be placed in front of their store on Main Street.

By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post

GREAT BEND — Dry Lake Brewing requested permission to place a bike rack in front of their business on Main Street. In reviewing the request, the Great Bend City Attorney recommended changes in the city’s ordinances to include the use of micro-mobility device, which would consist of the electronic Bird scooters.

The ordinance revisions were set to include scooters, but Great Bend City Council member Cory Urban felt it was meaningless to revise an ordinance that is not enforced. The code states no one is allowed to operate a bicycle or scooter on a sidewalk in a business district, Jack Kilby Square, USD 428 property or public ground of the city.

"What brought this up was a request for a bike rack," said Urban. "That could be part of a consent agenda item and we can either deny it or approve it that way. I don't see the modification of the ordinance necessary."

Part of the current bicycle ordinance
Part of the current bicycle ordinance

The requested ordinance change also states anyone who parks a bicycle or scooter shall only park them in racks or approved areas. The Bird scooter concept allows users to leave the devices almost anywhere on public land, not necessarily a rack. Although city ordinances state no use of bikes on sidewalks, Urban acknowledges that is the safest option.

"We had this discussion last year when the Bird scooters first arrived," said Urban. "Even the police chief stated it is safer to be on the sidewalk than on the street. You're much more likely to get hit by a car and have a big issue on the street than have to accidently move around somebody on the sidewalk."

The consensus with the council was these ordinances were antiquated, and that an overhaul of revisions may be needed in the future.

The motion to adopt the revised ordinance died, but the council will likely address the request for the bike rack at Dry Lake Brewing in a consent agenda item without changing an unenforced code.