No Bicycles Allowed

Customers and employees who arrive by bicycle are unwelcome at many shopping centers where signs are posted prohibiting bicycles. These shopping centers discourage utilitarian cycling not only by providing no parking accommodations for bicycles, but by making bicycles contraband.

Bicycle Prohibition Sign at a shopping center in Cary, NC. Note: After intervention by the Planning Department of the Town of Cary in Summer 2005, this sign was modified to read "on Sidewalks" rather than "on Property." We thank the shopping center and Town of Cary for fixing this.

Another Bicycle Prohibition Sign in Cary, NC. Note: After intervention by the Planning Department of the Town of Cary in Summer 2005, this sign was modified to read "on Sidewalks" rather than "on Property." We thank the shopping center and Town of Cary for fixing this.

Close-Up of Custom-Made Sign. Note: After intervention by the Planning Department of the Town of Cary in Summer 2005, this sign was modified to read "on Sidewalks" rather than "on Property." We thank the shopping center and Town of Cary for fixing this.

Bicycle Prohibition Sign at Northwoods Shopping Center, Cary, NC

"NO Bicycling" Signs Greet Visitors at the Harrison Pointe Shopping Center, Cary, NC

It is possible that the main intent of bicycle-prohibition signs is to discourage stunt bicycling and other playing with bicycles, which may cause problems for other users of the parking lots. If so, a more appropriate sign would be "No Playing in Parking Lot". If the intent is to discourage hazardous interactions on sidewalks, "No Bicycling on Sidewalks" signs are appropriate. If, however, the real intent is to discourage visitation by people who do not travel by car, such a policy is unfair and at odds with public policies designed to improve access for people who travel by bicycle. Cities that are investigating improvements in the accommodation of bicycle parking at commercial destinations should consider ways to obtain removal of signs prohibiting arrival by bicycle.