June 17, 2010 Wenatchee Downtown Association Contact: Sarah Dempsey, Executive Director Ph: 509.662.0059 Em: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Web:  www.wendowntown.org

For Immediate Release:  Wenatchee Downtown Association Announces Freshly Painted “No-Skateboarding or Bicycling on Downtown Sidewalks” Signs 

Downtown Wenatchee—The Wenatchee Downtown Association (WDA) announces the re-installment of the no-skateboarding or bicycling signs freshly painted on downtown sidewalks, intended to keep sidewalk pedestrians safe. 

The previous no-skating or bicycling signs looked faded, making them difficult to see.  The City of Wenatchee re-painted the signs last Thursday, in hopes of keeping skateboarders and bicyclists off the sidewalks. 

Dan Frazier, co-director of the city's Public Works, decided painting the signs annually has become a must. 

“Our normal schedule is to freshen up [the signs] on a 3-4 year rotation, depending on how they look as a whole,” Frazier said. “After looking at all of them this year it was decided that we would asses them annually and hit the ones that are not faring well as needed.” 

According to police Capt. Kevin Dresker, these signs are necessary because skateboarding and bicycling on downtown sidewalks endangers and encumbers the pedestrians who patron downtown businesses. 

“We get complaints all the time with bicyclists and skateboarders getting in the way of other people trying to commute,” Capt. Dresker said.

 These signs serve as a visual reminder to the public of the ordinance disallowing skateboarders and cyclists on downtown sidewalks. The signs can be found on Wenatchee Avenue and Columbia Street between Yakima and Second. 

“We need to do what we can to help welcome our visitors and shoppers,” Capt. Dresker said. “It’s just safer for everyone when skateboarders and cyclists steer clear of sidewalks in the downtown area.” 

The WDA welcomes skateboarders and cyclists to downtown and encourages people to carry their skateboards instead of riding them when visiting the area. For cyclists, bicycle racks are available in the downtown area for safekeeping.  Also, walking alongside one’s bicycle would be another safe option for cyclists on downtown sidewalks.  Unlike skateboarders, cyclists are welcome to ride on the streets, as long as they have a helmet. 

The mission of the Wenatchee Downtown Association is to strengthen and enrich the downtown experience.  

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