Snowy, slick sidewalks challenge Bendites

If ice-slick roadways are where the ugly side of winter makes its home, then adjoining Bend sidewalks may be the doghouse.

“It’s dangerous, it’s a hazard,” resident Ron Fields said Tuesday of his routine walks around town to bus stops. “I’ve fallen down several times.”

Many of the heavily used pedestrian routes around Third Street are snowy, slippery and sloppy. NewsChannel 21 found most are not clear.

The challenges keep pedestrians like Fields seeking cleaner paths.

“I have to walk in the streets, because the sidewalks aren’t clean,” Fields said.

He’s not alone. Bend resident Jordan Olde depends on sidewalks to get around in his motorized wheelchair. He said nearly every winter, he is forced to ride in the street with traffic.

“You kind of have to put your life in your hands and hope that the drivers see you,” Olde said.

Olde wanted to show NewsChannel 21 how difficult it is for him to get around. It wasn’t long before he got stuck on a residential sidewalk off Hawthorne Avenue. He was stuck so deep reporter Kandra Kent couldn’t free his chair. Fortunately, a good Samaritan pulled over to pull him out.

“I don’t really feel safe going out because the snow is so bad,” Olde said.

So what are the rules?

If there’s a sidewalk in the front, back or side of your business or home, it’s your responsibility to keep it clear.

“We have laws that require it, but there isn’t a lot of effort on sidewalk rules,” said City Councilor Mark Capell. “It’s more of a voluntary (duty), even though it is a law.”

Capell said it’s sad the law even has to exist.

“Neighbors should want to help their neighbor walk down the street. The right thing to do is clear your sidewalk,” he said.

So take a second to be a good neighbor. After all, winter hasn’t even begun.

In Bend, residential property owners have 24 hours to clear sidewalks of snow, commercial areas have six hours.

Those who don’t comply can face a fine, although there’s first three warnings.

The fine in for businesses is $460 a day. For neighborhoods, it’s $260 a day.