[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6560792,"mediaKeyId","3308019-c72bde41c07c2e690ca828458fdb8f72","parentId",3308019,"title","Board debates sidewalk use of e-bikes, scooters and enforcement; chief says state law already limits sidewalk riding downtown","audioSeconds",781,"startMs",2576000,"endMs",3357000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308019-c72bde41c07c2e690ca828458fdb8f72&start=2576&end=3357","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308019-c72bde41c07c2e690ca828458fdb8f72/thumbnail_2576000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6560792/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Board-debates-sidewalk-use-of-e-bikes-scooters-and-enforcement-chief-says-state-law-already-limits-sidewalk-riding-downtown","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560792-0d61512efe84635ec811ffb30ec87425/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204400&Signature=NyTVMt0bi0I7uSIn7R-tNQ73p9AjB-a01H4oz2SOFhqWZ-2CRr4FqYqPbTrK5htuq2qof~HFKJlduPMh-XV1i6Jj485GQ2oY6-epvAoMDmIyo-rzzmDcFp-Ng4-2mIxs5eSe-TJcPtKorRa40LWoksPg-xgfmXIGH5hI~-4L-DqaRe6myJ5ocdBelTIQYMHr1PWeRoQ18mU4KSKP9qUMl78g-jpt8vjkbBE~egHDHoLE7ah~~glHq1l93H6~NQnzCkqXnyg6uCzaDCsxdorqsWmc2jor8Fy6f2Zs0IDwbUWk32rXoOXikPpofU8Fpv4sGM6tgblfgkkWSsO45Gtt7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Glens Falls, NY","date","2025-05-14T12:29:24Z","article","The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety spent more than an hour on May 14 discussing sidewalk safety, electric scooters and e-bikes, and how the city should balance pedestrian safety with access for people with mobility limitations. Police Chief Smith told the board that state vehicle-and-traffic law and existing city code already restrict operating e-scooters and similar devices on sidewalks in the downtown business district.

“Sidewalks are for pedestrians,” Chief Smith said, summarizing guidance from the New York State Department of Transportation and materials from Bike New York. He noted state law (Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 77-a and related definitions) allows local ordinances to authorize sidewalk operation only in narrow cases and that New York’s law divides electric bicycles and scooters into classes with differing rules. “If I'm on my electric bicycle and I'm riding on the sidewalk, am I illegal? Yes,” he said, describing current enforcement options.

Board members raised two recurring concerns: the safety of elderly pedestrians and people with disabilities who rely on mobility devices, and a subset of young adults riding high-speed scooters or e-bikes on sidewalks or against traffic. Mayor (presiding) said the board is not trying to “drive any of our handicapped individuals off the sidewalk,” and emphasized that any local changes should include carve-outs or clarifications for mobility devices used by people with disabilities.

Members asked staff to compare a draft local proposal that had been prepared by Commissioner Mike with the state guidance Chief Smith supplied. The board asked staff to produce two items for a future meeting: (1) a suggested code change or a one-page educational packet clarifying what is legal downtown and what is not, and (2) a public-education plan to distribute to schools, event organizers and bike vendors. The mayor suggested working with local bicycling groups and Adirondack Cyclist volunteers to develop both enforcement and education materials.

Chief Smith recommended focusing first on public education because the state law and city code already provide enforcement authority in many of the problem scenarios the board described. He also noted that enforcement should be proportional and aimed at parents and vendors when children are involved; the board agreed that ticketing would be a last resort and that outreach and signage should be prioritized.

Ending: The board directed staff and police to compare Mike’s draft regulation to the state vehicle-and-traffic guidance, draft recommended language or an education packet, and return with recommendations and an outreach plan to schools and vendors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Glens Falls - Board of Public Safety, May 14, 2025 - 4:00pm","oneSentenceSummary","At the May 14 meeting the Board of Public Safety discussed growing concerns about electric scooters, e-bikes and sidewalk safety; Police Chief Smith and board members reviewed New York vehicle-and-traffic law, existing city code for downtown, and agreed education and a clear local definition should accompany any code changes.","taxTitle","Glens Falls City, Warren County, New York","taxId",5050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6560796,"Glens Falls Board approves series of event permits, road closures and open-container waivers",1207,279000,1486000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3308019-c72bde41c07c2e690ca828458fdb8f72&start=279&end=1486","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3308019-c72bde41c07c2e690ca828458fdb8f72/thumbnail_279000.jpg","/articles/6560796/Glens-Falls-City/Warren-County/New-York/Glens-Falls-Board-approves-series-of-event-permits-road-closures-and-open-container-waivers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6560796-771068c5e5ed50bc3cc976eef43a0dff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204400&Signature=CdBEsVEUFZm3te9uqpEDyhzXCzs4WTcFF1YOyqx4lwvoMyrXMUlyEe9sOH1Ammi2Ke5s5L9Mb66n2741BNNRouon8WXq4LXzl7cOCfekQaMq2tUBCWlkrx-odWTx~ciaAM6TuD0lFKLQ0ENYz9s3DNH-9Q5A6pDGRUvIwyix~p5GOHaOVGfRLDzGqPzynW1n-B6JkWOTKZcTYc595B9UCNcWiJD1UqsLnczM19BSbd-JC4zONR3rRHeZo7Ty-Ey~kp4qEaRsQD~fnzAlQsQuU3c-HY~jefRp89TJlML~-sj50LP7Gl~swEVqBc~XELj9eEcQrgL6zhPtvZXhgVY0aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety voted unanimously at its May 14 meeting to approve a package of event permits, temporary street closures and limited open-container waivers for a series of community events this spring and summer.

The approvals covered the South Street Ed Market and Events Center grand opening and block party on May 16; a Sheridan Street Get Out the Vote block party on June 21; the City Band summer concert series beginning June 30; a two-day Murray Street hill “slider” event in May; the Take a Bite collaborative food events and Oktoberfest (open-container waivers); Park Theater Foundation summer concerts at Crandall Park starting June 6; an East End block party at Lawrence Street Tavern on June 21; the Take a Bite road closure on Glen Street (repeated approval); and the third annual Glens Falls Pride Fest in late May/early June.

Board members and staff discussed operational details for several approvals before voting. For the South Street ribbon-cutting and block party, the board approved a limited road closure and an open-container waiver for a defined section of South Street and required that police, fire and EMS be on hand during the hours alcohol is being served. Mayor (presiding) noted the city event would be “covered under the city's insurance liability policy,” and that work orders had been sent to DPW, fire and police.

Several approvals included documentary or logistical conditions. The Park Theater Foundation summer concerts were approved contingent on an updated certificate of insurance (COI). For the Murray Street hill event (the “slider” race), a board member successfully moved to condition approval on the event organizer naming the city as an additional insured on the organizer’s insurance; the motion passed. For multiple events that sought waivers of the open-container ordinance (the Take a Bite series and Oktoberfest), board members pressed event organizers to provide signage and volunteers at perimeter barriers to prevent alcohol from leaving the contained areas and to make clear that half of certain streets must remain open for emergency vehicles. Chip (staff) and event liaisons were asked to seek written confirmation from event insurance agents and to collect COIs from permitted food vendors in advance of events.

Board discussion repeatedly emphasized public-safety staffing and logistics rather than rejecting events. The board instructed staff to request that collaborative organizers place volunteers at barrier points, install signage stating “no alcohol past this point,” and keep a clear lane for emergency responders. The board also asked staff to collect vendor permits from food-truck operators and to file COIs in the event packet ahead of each event.

Votes were taken by voice and recorded as carried unanimously.

Ending: The board closed the segment of routine business after passing all event-related resolutions. Staff will follow up with event holders to secure required COIs, additional-insured endorsements where requested, and signage/volunteer plans for perimeter barriers.","The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety on May 14 approved a package of event permits, road closures and limited open-container waivers for summer events and block parties, with conditions on insurance, signage and volunteer staffing at perimeter barriers.","actionData","errors"]

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Board debates sidewalk use of e-bikes, scooters and enforcement; chief says state law already limits sidewalk riding downtown

Glens Falls Board approves series of event permits, road closures and open-container waivers