Rehoboth committee to consider Boardwalk rule changes

The first couple months of every year is when Rehoboth Beach evaluates enforcement ordinances that may need to be amended before the coming summer season, and one city committee is expected to take a look at Boardwalk rules for this year.

Possible rule changes regarding Boardwalk use weren’t on the agenda for the city’s Beach and Boardwalk Committee meeting Jan. 25. However, when Commissioner Jay Lagree, committee chair, began figuring out future agenda items, an impromptu discussion was had on the safety and commercialization of the Boardwalk.

Currently, from May 15 to Sept. 15, people are allowed to ride bikes on the Boardwalk from daybreak to 10 a.m.

Lagree reminded everyone that months ago, Police Chief Keith Banks reported increased pedestrian use of the Boardwalk earlier in the day, which was causing more complaints about bike riders. Committee members said they had also seen the increase in earlier pedestrian use and suggested ending bike riding at 9 a.m., and also lengthening the season of enforcement. Lagree said city commissioners were considering changing parking enforcement rules to apply from May 1 to Sept. 30, and asked committee members if they thought biking rules should also be enforced during that period.

Committee member Frank Cole, Atlantic Cycles owner, remembered what Banks said, but he added that Banks also said there had been no accidents or incidents reported. He said in some ways he thinks there is less bike traffic on the Boardwalk because there are more options for bicyclists – specifically the Gordons Pond and Junction & Breakwater trails.

Cole said he was also in favor of keeping 10 a.m. because it’s a decades-old tradition that people have come to expect. There’s no advantage to rolling it back, he said.

Committee member Patricia Davis recognized the tradition, but she said it’s become a safety issue.

As for commercial use of the beach and Boardwalk, Lagree, recalling coming across a running race that blocked the entire width of the Boardwalk this past summer, said it might make sense for the city to evaluate and strengthen ordinances related to those rules. 

“It hasn’t been crowded like this until now. Thirty years ago, you could do it and people could get by with no problem, but I stood there and it was all blocked off,” said Lagree.

Committee member Brian Hancock said if the committee is going to be looking at changes, it should also address electric bikes. 

Cole generally agreed, saying the people riding electric bikes are the ones who should be doing it the least and are likely to hurt themselves. They think it’s going to be easier because it’s electric, but they don’t have the balance, he said.

 Another rule worth looking at is the placement of sandwich boards on the Boardwalk, said Lagree. The city allows them in front of businesses, but there’s no place for them on a crowded Boardwalk, he said.

The committee is next scheduled to meet Tuesday, Feb. 22.