Ask Mr. Answer Person: "Does Decorah even have bicycle laws?"

"Mr. Answer Person: After seeing bicycles on the sidewalk, on the street, seeing them ride down the county roads (no lights or warning devices) and after reading all the stories about both good and bad etiquette from drivers and bikers alike, I got to wondering does Decorah even have bicycle laws?  I know there is an ordinance about riding on the sidewalk (which is confusing because on College Drive they want you to ride on the sidewalk), but what EXACTLY can they do or not do?" Signed, A rider myself.

Mr. Answer Person says: "All of the City of Decorah ordinances are on-line--just go to the Decorah website (http://www.decorahia.org/decorah.asp) and look for Decorah City Code under the "City Administration" tab.

There's a whole section--10.64--devoted to ordinances about bicycle riding.  The ordinance about riding on the sidewalk pertains to downtown sidewalks: "10.64.080 Riding on sidewalk.  A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon the sidewalk or walkway in the commercial districts within the city unless signs authorized by the chief of police specifically designate a sidewalk or walkway for bicycle use."

The ordinance about riding on a bicycle elsewhere in town is 10.64.090.  It says "A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons shall ride bicycles single file when traffic is heavy.

C. Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway or sidewalk, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway or sidewalk.

D. No person shall operate any motor vehicle, including a motorcycle, motorscooter, or a Moped or motorized bicycle when under power, upon any sidewalk, bicycle path, or bicycle path painted on a roadway. (Ord. 677 (part), 1978)."

If you have any other questions about the laws involving bicycles, just check out the City Code on the city website.