County staff proposes enforceable ban on Hidden River Trail Road bicycling

Manatee County traffic management staff is asking the commissioners to consider an ordinance that would allow the Sheriff’s Office to enforce the bicycle ban on Hidden River Trail Road.

At Tuesday, Dec. 15’s board meeting, commissioners will vote whether or not to set the date for a public hearing on the proposal for Tuesday, Jan. 12.

The discussion on whether or not bicyclists should be allowed to use the cut-through street between Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Road has been in existence for more than a year. In 2014, a resident contacted staff because bicyclists were blocking staff on the road; at the time, bicycling and use of golf carts was prohibited on the street but county staff discovered upon investigation that the signs stating the prohibition were missing.

The signs were reinstalled in March 2015. After their replacement, members The Village Idiots, a competitive bicyclist club based in Lakewood Ranch, contacted the county and inquired about the legality of the signs.

The Village Idiots have continued to bike on the street because its members believe it is the safest option, said club president Paul Troyer.

The club had an attorney give an opinion on the legality of the prohibition, and the attorney stated the county could regulate but not restrict bicyclists.

Although there is a sidewalk running along Hidden River Trail, Troyer said biking on the sidewalk at high speeds is also dangerous because pedestrians, small children and inexperienced bikers pose a threat to oncoming bikers.

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 1 also spoke up about the issue during an October meeting. Robert Swiatek, safety chairman for CDD 1, has received comments from residents.  
County Attorney Mitchell Palmer provided a memorandum to the commissioners supporting the county’s ability to restrict bicycle usage on the street. No deciding vote will be made at Tuesday’s meeting; commissioners will only be voting to hold a public meeting about the proposed ordinance.

The Village Idiots started an online petition in August to get the prohibition signs removed. It currently has 558 signatures.