Rules, Rules, and Rules

I certainly respect rules and regulations, but sometimes rules can get in the way. Before you start prejudging me, let me explain.

Most towns have regulations regarding bicycles and skateboards on sidewalks. I certainly agree with the reason behind no skateboards on sidewalks. My youngest boy is a newspaper carrier and he has the territory that includes the square.

He uses his bike, and while sometimes his drops are scattered, sometimes he gives the newspaper to several businesses in a row.

One day, as he was going along and making his drops, a police officer stopped him and told him, no riding on the sidewalk, he needs to use the streets. Then he said, "But be safe."

Well, I don't know about you, but I don't know how a youngster can be safe using the street? If he was just traveling from point A to B, let's say from one end of the square to the next, I can see how it can be easily done, since as he or she is moving along, he or she can be visible.

But this poses a little bit of a challenge for the paperboy, going two business over, but then he has to go to the street, then immediately pull in to make his drop, then go to the next business.