By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

A group of several young men attended the Niles City Council meeting Monday night to submit a petition to allow bicycles in the Riverfront skate park. Currently the park only allows skateboards and inline skates.

“We’re trying to get bicycles off the streets and private property to somewhere safe where we won’t get in trouble,” said Joseph Hogue, of Niles.

Hogue said the group gathered about 180 signatures on the petition.

Mayor Mike McCauslin said the request will be submitted to Public Works Director Neil Coulston and to the police, who will make a recommendation to the board at a future meeting.

Council member Dan VandenHeede, who sits on the parks board, said about 30 people came out to a recent meeting to initially present the idea.

VandenHeede said there are concerns with the bikes’ pegs chipping at the concrete of the park and for the overall safety of the riders and skateboarders.

Hogue said when the skate park opened, he and his friends were under the impression that bikes would be allowed in the park, as it was advertised as an extreme sports park.

Hogue was on crutches when he spoke before the council. Council member Pat Gallagher asked if he injured himself while riding his bike.

Hogue nodded. “It goes with the territory,” he said.