One Town's Crackdown on Sidewalk Bikers

As Columbia, Missouri prepares to crackdown on bikers riding on sidewalks in the city's business district, not much attention is given to their safety on the street.

1 minute read

April 7, 2015, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Jack Witthaus reports on efforts in the college town of Columbia, Missouri, to keep bikers off the sidewalks in the city's central business district. Mounted signs on sidewalks in the area informing potential scofflaws of a city ordinance banning bikes from the sidewalk aren't working.

"This week, Columbia police plan to hand out tickets to people who illegally ride bicycles on sidewalks within Columbia’s business district. Police spokeswoman Bryana Maupin said tickets start at about $50 depending on the offense, and violators could be sent to municipal court," reports Witthaus.

Witthaus quotes Janet Godon, from GetAbout Columbia, who is concerned that bike riders do not have enough warning to warrant such a steep penalty. Witthaus also quotes Josh Wright, marketing coordinator for the Downtown Community Improvement District, which undertook a "guerilla" signage campaign to warn bikers to walk their bikes on sidewalks. There is no description of the state of the bike infrastructure or auto-orientation of the street through the business district. 

Sunday, April 5, 2015 in Columbia Daily Tribune

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30 - Yale Environment 360