Politics & Government

Bayside Police Keep Close Eye on Fairy Chasm Road Safety Issues

Bayside resident sounds the alarm on bicyclist, motorist and pedestrian safety on the busy, narrow road, but police say they actively enforce the speed limit to ensure the road is safe.

In the more than 25 years Captain Scott McConnell has been with the Bayside Police Department, he says there has never been a serious motorist vs. bicyclist or pedestrian accident on Fairy Chasm Road. 

But that's not to say it can't or won't happen.

Tuesday in a blog on Patch, resident Tom Noble, who is running for Bayside Village Board, put a call for changes on the road because he says the many bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians who use it are asking for trouble. 

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"We have been very lucky that we have avoided any major incidents, especially involving our children who actively play in the area," Noble wrote. "Sadly, I think we are living on borrowed time."

He says the easy fix would be to add more "Slow Down" and "Watch for Pedestrians" signs, require bicyclists ride in single file, and make it mandatory for contractors working at a home on the street park off the street in the customer’s driveway.

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To boost safety, McConnell said officers enforced the speed limit on the narrow street, but the key is for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians to understand they all have to share the road. 

When the warm weather returns to Wisconsin, McConnell said the department will reach out to cycling clubs about riding safely on the roads and being cognizant of motorists. 

"There are a lot of professional clubs cycling through Bayside and they are going the speed limit, but some motorists want to go faster," he said.

Village Manager Andy Pederson said while there have been some residents who have expressed concern about Fairy Chasm, there haven't been any major issues on the roadway.

To learn more about the village's bicycle and pedestrian safety program, visit Bayside's website.


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