Actually, unless you want to challenge the city's authority, there's really no question at all about whether or not you will ride a bike to do business at the Clinton County Courthouse or St. Johns City offices housed inside.

By expanding the 'No bikes or coaster-wheeled devices" area from downtown St. Johns to include the Courthouse Square, city commissioners answered the question for us - thanks.

It's not quite that un-democratic, of course. You do have the option of riding your bike to the corners of Maple and Cass, or Linden and Cass - and then walking your bike to racks which will eventually be placed on State Street near Spring and Brush streets.

You can even walk your bike right up to the courthouse itself. A brand-spanking new bike rack is located on the east side of the building near the sallyport doors that provide access for police vehicles transporting prisoners.

That's convenient.

And, as far as we know, the oldest form of transportation is still viable - you can always walk. No rule against that.

Sarcasm aside, we do understand that limits are needed on what should and should not be allowed on the sidewalks, steps, and ramps of the beautiful new courthouse. Like other people, I've seen several youthful wanna-be skateboard and rollerblade kings using the fountain area as their own, private 'extreme' challenge course - certainly, that's a no-no.

Still, it seems like the city went overboard in its efforts to stem that sort of abuse by tacking on the sidewalks of Maple and Linden in the expanded ordinance area.

We don't often come down on the city - mainly because most of the time the city fathers do a decent and commendable job.

In this instance, however, only the 'city mother,' Heather Hanover, was on the right track. Her motion that would have allowed the use of bikes and rollerblades on the sidewalks of Linden and Maple died for lack of support by her commissioner counterparts.

At least you tried, Heather.

In a way, I suppose the city was just trying to uphold a long-standing tradition in the downtown area. A friend recently reminded me that the problem of bicycles goes way back to the turn of the century when cyclists were advised not to ride down Clinton Avenue because the 'contraptions scared the horses.'