The Frederick Police Department is receiving an increasing number of complaints regarding non-motorized wheeled vehicles in the downtown area. As a reminder, non-motorized wheeled vehicles may not be operated on city property within the “Frederick Town Historic District” or within the Carroll Creek Linear Park, except per noted exceptions. The City defines Non-motorized wheeled vehicles as "any vehicle with one or more wheels propelled by human power, including but not limited to bicycles, in-line skates, roller skates, scooters, and skateboards..." Penalties for violation of Frederick City Code Section 22-28.1 include the vehicle's impoundment and a $100 fine. The ordinance also addresses the “negligent operation” of non-motorized wheeled vehicles in areas where their use is otherwise allowed.
The full ordinance is located at https://library.municode.com/md/frederick/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH22STSI_ARTIISI_S22-28.1NTOWHVE. City property covered by this ordinance includes, but is not limited to, all city parking decks, city sidewalks within the historic district, Carroll Creek Linear Park, and Baker Park. The city operates two skate parks, one located in Hillcrest Park and the other in Lucas Village Park. Officers will be stepping up enforcement of this ordinance immediately.
A map of the Frederick Town Historic District can be found at https://spires.cityoffrederick.com/gis/general/.
**Added 11/13/2020 to reduce confusion and questions: The exceptions listed in the ordinance cited above include:
(c)
Historic district. Within the Frederick Town Historic District, excluding Carroll Creek Linear Park, an individual more than ten (10) years old may not use a non-motorized wheeled vehicle on any City property.
(d)
Carroll Creek Linear Park. Within the boundaries of Carroll Creek Linear Park, an individual more than ten (10) years old may not use a non-motorized wheeled vehicle, except for a bicycle, on any City property. During an event in Carroll Creek Linear Park permitted by the Department of Parks and Recreation, an individual more than ten (10) years old may not ride a bicycle in Carroll Creek Linear Park between Court Street and Wisner Street. Walking while pushing or pulling a bicycle is not a violation of this provision.
(e)
Signs prohibiting use. The Deputy Director for Parks and Recreation may post or cause to be posted signs prohibiting the use of one or more types of non-motorized wheeled vehicles in a specified location on City property. An individual may not use a non-motorized wheeled vehicle in contravention of a sign posted in accordance with this subsection.