Chesapeake Beach Town Council Rejects Bicycles On Bayfront Park Boardwalk

CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — The Chesapeake Beach Town Council voted down a new ordinance during its meeting on Feb. 19 that would have allowed certain types of bicycles on the Bayfront Park (Brownies Beach) boardwalk.

Ordinance O-26-1 was first proposed by Town Council member Laura Blackwelder at the Jan. 6 work session. Blackwelder said the idea came from the Walkable Community Advisory Group and hoped to allow bikes with pneumatic wheels on the boardwalk.

Pneumatic wheels are thick tires that can help reduce speed and are less destructive to certain materials. Skateboards, scooters, etc., would still have been prohibited under the ordinance.

The Town Council held a public comment period for the ordinance in advance of the vote, which did not draw any community members to speak on the matter. Councilman Daniel Duvall also raised concerns about voting on the ordinance when the ongoing legislative session in Annapolis could impact rules for parks like Bayfront Park.

The Town Council rejected Ordinance O-26-1 in a 2-4 vote. Blackwelder was one of the yes votes on the ordinance.

Bicycles, skates and skateboards are also not permitted on the nearby North Beach Boardwalk out of concern for pedestrian safety. However, the North Beach Boardwalk has designated bike lanes that run alongside the boardwalk.