The Appleton Police Department is reminding everyone ahead of Mile of Music that no Birds, Bikes, or Boards are allowed on the sidewalk of Downtown College Avenue. They will be rigidly enforcing this rule over the weekend.
People riding Bird electric scooters on the College Avenue sidewalk has been an issue since the start of the pilot program. That problem is not unique to Appleton. The city of Milwaukee recently banned all dockless scooters from their downtown and the surrounding area, whether on the sidewalk or not, due to excessive sidewalk riding.
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Posting something on social media is one thing, physical signs stating this along the area of College Avenue is another. There are a few free-standing signs that say no bikes or skateboards, but they are few and far between, and clearly ignored. The city should have had Bird fund signs that state this – other municipalities I have lived in put these costs onto vendors all the time in situations like this.
There are all 3 on sidewalks all day long, and the few signs there don’t make a difference.
I would expect that, as the end of the trial program period gets closer, the Common Council would have a serious discussion about these issues and what the appropriate response is. Until then, contact the city and voice your frustrations (https://www.appleton.org/government/public-works). They don’t know what the public is thinking unless people talk to them.