The City of Savannah is hosting a public meeting on a proposed ordinance, which would prohibit people 12 and older from riding bicycles in all areas of Forsyth Park, on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Savannah Civic Center. The ordinance, if passed, will deny access to the thousands of people who ride responsibly though the park each week. The city has offered no plans for providing safe alternative routes for people who will be displaced by the ordinance. In 2013 the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department evaluated calls for increased enforcement against people on bikes and recommended against it.
The meeting format will be a formal presentation and followed by questions and answers, and an opportunity for the community to ask questions, comment, and provide recommendations on the revisions proposed to the ordinance.
If you plan to make comments at the meeting, here are some suggestions:
1. The meeting will be facilitated by Susan Broker of the Citizen Office. Please don’t take out any frustrations on her. She’s simply doing her job.
2. Explain how you use the park and how the proposed ban will affect you. Be passionate, but professional.
3. Offer specific suggestions on how to improve safety in our park and on our streets.
4. Thank city officials for providing this opportunity to talk about this important issue.
The bike ban has received recent media coverage:
Savannah Morning News (Dec. 17) Savannah officials consider Forsyth Park bike ban
Savannah Morning News (Dec. 19) Bikes in Forsyth Park: Go slow on bike ban
Savannah Morning News City Talk (Dec. 21) Proposed bike ban will hurt police effort
Connect Savannah News Cycle (Dec. 30) Bike ban in Forsyth: Blunt tool when precision needed
Savannah Morning News City Talk (Jan. 12) City schedules bike ban meeting
The Savannah Bicycle Campaign opposes the ban and has called on the city to find reasonable solutions that improve safety in the park and nearby streets, while preserving access to all. Please make plans to attend the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact your elected officials directly to let them know how the ban will affect you.
Join us at 5:30 p.m. at north end of the park (intersection of Bull and Gaston streets) and we’ll roll to the meeting together on the Forsyth for All ride. We need people to speak up about how the ordinance will affect them and urge city officials to find sensible solutions to improve safety in the park and on nearby streets, while preserving access for all. We’ll have some special gifts to help you show your support for active transportation in Savannah. Please join the Facebook event to let us know you’re riding.
Helmets are strongly encouraged. The meeting is scheduled to last until 7 p.m., so don’t forget your bike lights. If you can’t ride with us, please meet us there!