Quote:

Police Chief, Boy Spar Over Wheelchair Use









POSTED: 12:14 p.m. EDT October 22, 2003









DES MOINES, Iowa -- Bryce Wiley's motorized wheelchair is welcome on the streets of Laurens, Iowa -- as long as the 14-year-old puts a safety light on the wheelchair, obeys traffic laws and stays to the side of the road.









The police chief in the town threatened to fine the boy, who has muscular dystrophy, after the chief said he almost struck the wheelchair because he could barely see the reflectors.









Wiley was in the street because there were no curb cuts and he couldn't get to the sidewalk.









The mayor of the town has now worked out the compromise with Wiley's father.









Iowa law bans motorized wheelchairs from the street and bars anyone under 16 from using one on a sidewalk. Gov. Tom Vilsack and Sen. Tom Harkin say it's time for a change since the law conflicts with the Americans with Disabilities Act.



Ok, so people under the age of 16 can't ride on the sidewalk, because that violates the law. And, they can't ride in the road, because that violates the law. So, they're supposed to just sit at home until their 16th birthday? I'd say it's about time this law was changed. What a joke!

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