National news picks up on Missouri "no bicycle zone" story

At least 51 local television stations around the country and some newspapers have picked up a story originating at Kansas City's KMBC:

Cyclists in Lawson are supporting a fellow rider's push to change a "no bicycle" ordinance.

In July, Ed Chasteen rode into the small town northeast of Kansas City and received a ticket for parking his bike outside a restaurant in the no-bike zone. . . .

Chasteen is fighting his ticket and is trying to get the town's law changed.

Note that the video version of the story is both more accurate and more complete than the condensed web write-up. (The video version can be viewed from KMBC's web site--look for a small photo with the heading "Video".)

Please note, however, that in both the print and video versions of the story is one major inaccuracy. The story says, "Lawson's mayor told KMBC that there are no plans to change the bike rule." I just discussed this with Lawson City Manager John Tracy, who indicated that, although they do not feel that they can make a special exception to current law just for Ed, revising Lawson's bicycle ordinance is certainly still on the table.

Lawson is planning to revitalize its downtown and amenities like bicycle parking will likely be part of that plan. Lawson is looking at bicycle ordinances from surrounding communities and will likely end up with an ordinance similar to theirs (though Tracy made it clear that any possible changes must go through an unpredictable legislative process).

At least some people in Lawson are opposed to removing the no bicycle zone, however, and one solution that has been proposed is to allow an exception for disabled people while retaining the general bicycle ban for everyone else.

TV stations in major markets around the country have picked up the story, including Washington, DC, San Diego, Jacksonville, FL, New Orleans, Houston, Omaha, Milwaukee, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Denver, and Honolulu.

MoBikeFed news has covered this story:

• Ed received the ticket
• article by KCStar's Mike Hendricks about Ed and Lawson
• what has happened in other cities across the country that have tried to restrict non-motorized travel by disabled persons
• first court date (advocacy alert)
• second court date (advocacy alert)
• results of second court date

Contact info for Lawson city officials:

John Tracy, City Manager
City of Lawson
PO Box 185
Lawson, MO 64062
Phone: 816-580-3217
Fax: 816-296-4013
Email: lawsoncityclerk@aol.com

George Green, Mayor
City of Lawson
PO Box 185
Lawson, MO 64062

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