City Council Moves to Ban Bicycle Riding in Common

A recently proposed city ordinance would ban bicycle riding on the Cambridge Common, cutting off a popular shortcut for residents of Quad houses and first years living in 29 Garden St.

Councillor Sheila T. Russell, the sponsor of the ordinance amendment, said the proposal was prompted by several complaints that bicyclists are a hazard to pedestrians and young children.

"The north end [of the Common] is a playground with thousands of babies--not children, babies," said Thomas A. Synnott, who lives near the park. "Someone's going to get killed."

Other pedestrians and parents interviewed in the park yesterday had different opinions, however. "I think [bicyclists] are fairly polite," said Cynthia R. Maltby, pushing her young daughter on a swing in the playground.

If the ordinance is enacted, riders in the commons would probably be fined not more than $50, said Councillor Alice K. Wolf. There are currently signs around the Common which say cycling is prohibited, but there is no law on the books to back up the signs.

The ordinance committee will meet to discuss the ordinance and hold a public hearing sometime late in November, Wolf said.

However the committee and the City Council decide to proceed, cyclists and councillors agree that the net effect won't be Earth-shattering.

Twenty-nine Garden St. resident Michael C. Merriner said a bike ban would be more of a nuisance than a serious problem. "It's really not an incredibly big deal to go around," he said.

And, as Russell points out, "[Bicyclists] can always ride on the street."