Neighbors told my kids they can't play outside anymore

[TEENEE]

I love hearing kids play outside. It has finally cooled off enough that we can open our windows. We have 4 kids who live across the street. Just yesterday they were all outside chasing each other and laughing. Hearing them and watching them play like that made me smile.

 

[FireDancer]

I love hearing kids play outside. It has finally cooled off enough that we can open our windows. We have 4 kids who live across the street. Just yesterday they were all outside chasing each other and laughing. Hearing them and watching them play like that made me smile.

I like seeing kids out playing and being active too. I don't mind when a ball comes into my yard or if my tree lawn ends up being used as part of a game because it often times does. The kids around me don't throw baseballs at my house or anything like that.

I'm in the camp that says kids should be outside running around and riding their bikes. I posted a link on my Facebook wall a month or so ago about a family in Tennessee who was told it was illegal for their child to ride their bike to school. I find that incomprehensible. I drove past a middle school yesterday on the way to lunch and despite it being in the 50's and rainy 3 of their 4 bike racks were full of bikes that kids rode in. On nice days they have them tied to fences and trees because there isn't enough room. I am always happy to see that kind of thing.

 

[Scurvy]

OK-so I read the statutes. I don't see where children playing in the street is prohibited , and the bicycle on doesn't say anything about not riding in the street.
It's also illegal (800.02 Unnatural and lascivious act) for to commit lewd acts in Florida. That has about as much to do with kids playing in the street as the statutes above.

A person who commits any unnatural and lascivious act with another person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
[/I]

The article states that anyone riding a bicycle in the street has to abide by the laws for any other vehicle in the street. It also says:
5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway (and then adds the times when you don't have to do that, like then you are passing a pedestrian or going around a parked car.)

It also specifies that no more than two bikes can be ridden side-by-side in the roadway.

It also says that the only exception to the law is if the state, county or municipality has set aside the road as a "play area".

Also, it says that "No parent of any minor child and no guardian of any minor ward may authorize or knowingly permit any such minor child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section".

In other words, unless the specific roadway is excluded from the law, children can ride their bikes in the road if they want to, but they have to follow typical laws that a car would have to follow, just like adult bike-riders do. They have to follow traffic signs, signal turns, and stay on their side of the road. No weaving back and forth across the road, running stop signs, circling in the middle of the road, no riding in groups that take up the entire road, etc. So responsible riding is fine, but the sort of playing that most kids seem to do when they play with bikes in the road would not be legal on most streets.

Interestingly, it also says "(12) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk; and, when so crossing, such person shall be granted all rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.

I'd say all that has quite a bit more to do with kids playing in the street than the Unnatural and lascivious act does.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

The article states that anyone riding a bicycle in the street has to abide by the laws for any other vehicle in the street. It also says:
5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride in the lane marked for bicycle use or, if no lane is marked for bicycle use, as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway (and then adds the times when you don't have to do that, like then you are passing a pedestrian or going around a parked car.)

It also specifies that no more than two bikes can be ridden side-by-side in the roadway.

It also says that the only exception to the law is if the state, county or municipality has set aside the road as a "play area".

Also, it says that "No parent of any minor child and no guardian of any minor ward may authorize or knowingly permit any such minor child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section".

In other words, unless the specific roadway is excluded from the law, children can ride their bikes in the road if they want to, but they have to follow typical laws that a car would have to follow, just like adult bike-riders do. They have to follow traffic signs, signal turns, and stay on their side of the road. No weaving back and forth across the road, running stop signs, circling in the middle of the road, no riding in groups that take up the entire road, etc. So responsible riding is fine, but the sort of playing that most kids seem to do when they play with bikes in the road would not be legal on most streets.

Interestingly, it also says "(12) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk; and, when so crossing, such person shall be granted all rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.

I'd say all that has quite a bit more to do with kids playing in the street than the Unnatural and lascivious act does.

Does it say kids can't play in the streets-I am (seriously) missing that part. LIke a pick up game of stickball - of kickball, or tag.

 

[PeterPan09]

I like seeing kids out playing and being active too. I don't mind when a ball comes into my yard or if my tree lawn ends up being used as part of a game because it often times does. The kids around me don't throw baseballs at my house or anything like that.

I'm in the camp that says kids should be outside running around and riding their bikes. I posted a link on my Facebook wall a month or so ago about a family in Tennessee who was told it was illegal for their child to ride their bike to school. I find that incomprehensible. I drove past a middle school yesterday on the way to lunch and despite it being in the 50's and rainy 3 of their 4 bike racks were full of bikes that kids rode in. On nice days they have them tied to fences and trees because there isn't enough room. I am always happy to see that kind of thing.

I agree, kids should be able to play outside and it's great when they do. I just want them to do it SAFELY and when in a neighborhood with houses/apts that are close together, with a little consideration for their neighbors. Like Scurvy said, there's playing outside and the normal kid sounds of that and then there is there is the kind of screaming and shrieking that isn't really necessary.

 

[ols386]

I like seeing kids out playing and being active too. I don't mind when a ball comes into my yard or if my tree lawn ends up being used as part of a game because it often times does. The kids around me don't throw baseballs at my house or anything like that.

I'm in the camp that says kids should be outside running around and riding their bikes. I posted a link on my Facebook wall a month or so ago about a family in Tennessee who was told it was illegal for their child to ride their bike to school. I find that incomprehensible. I drove past a middle school yesterday on the way to lunch and despite it being in the 50's and rainy 3 of their 4 bike racks were full of bikes that kids rode in. On nice days they have them tied to fences and trees because there isn't enough room. I am always happy to see that kind of thing.

As far as kids riding their bikes to school, wouldn't it depend on the age of the child and distance they would have to ride? If it's a 6-year old, and they live 10 miles outside of town, from the school, might not be the best idea.

Also would depend on the weather. Rain might not be so bad if it's a short distance, but snow and ice would be a different story.

Not sure about the legality part of it, but I think common sense has to be used as well.

 

[Scurvy]

Does it say kids can't play in the streets-I am (seriously) missing that part. LIke a pick up game of stickball - of kickball, or tag.

The part I posted about only refers to the legality of kids playing in the street on bikes, roller skates or anything else they could ride. The other link that the poster you quoted provided says: "(1) It is unlawful for any person or persons willfully to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of any public street, highway, or road by impeding, hindering, stifling, retarding, or restraining traffic or passage thereon, by standing or approaching motor vehicles thereon, or by endangering the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians traveling thereon; and any person or persons who violate the provisions of this subsection, upon conviction, shall be cited for a pedestrian violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318."

So going only by that, and assuming there are no other applicable laws (and I have no idea whether there are or not) it would probably be legal for kids to play in the street as long as they do not obstruct the road at all or endanger the other vehicles or pedestrians. If cars which are not exceeding the speed limit are having to slam on their brakes or wait for the kids to move out of the road, or are getting hit by a kickball, or if pedestrains are getting bumped into or getting hit by the ball, then the kids are breaking the law. If the kids are able to completely avoid all cars and other pedestrians, then they would be behaving within the law.

 

[FireDancer]

As far as kids riding their bikes to school, wouldn't it depend on the age of the child and distance they would have to ride? If it's a 6-year old, and they live 10 miles outside of town, from the school, might not be the best idea.

Also would depend on the weather. Rain might not be so bad if it's a short distance, but snow and ice would be a different story.

Not sure about the legality part of it, but I think common sense has to be used as well.

The Tennessee case was a 5th grader and the parents rode the route with the child beforehand to make sure it was a safe route. The child wore a helmet and the family was a cycling family which commuted often by bike so the child was familiar with using the bike for transportation and not just for riding around the neighborhood.

Of course the specifics of the case come into play but around here no one has to go 10 miles to school (unless they are choosing a private school far from their home) and we don't have a lot of rural areas. The school I was mentioning that I passed is quite literally in the middle of a pedestrian friendly neighborhood but the students come from other parts of the city. I think the take away though is that if parents want to promote a healthy active lifestyle and let their kids bike to school it should be their right.

As for the regulations and how they apply here...I highly doubt a police officer would drive down my street now or the the one I grew up on and apply a narrow, literal interpretation of bicycling or pedestrian laws.

 

[denisem]

OK-so I read the statutes. I don't see where children playing in the street is prohibited , and the bicycle on doesn't say anything about not riding in the street.

It's also illegal (800.02 Unnatural and lascivious act) for to commit lewd acts in Florida. That has about as much to do with kids playing in the street as the statutes above.

A person who commits any unnatural and lascivious act with another person commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Well, it doesn't say "children playing in the streets" but I consider children "person or persons" and if they're playing in the street they are obstructing normal traffic:

"(1) It is unlawful for any person or persons willfully to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of any public street, highway, or road by impeding, hindering, stifling, retarding, or restraining traffic or passage thereon, by standing or approaching motor vehicles thereon, or by endangering the safe movement of vehicles or pedestrians traveling thereon; and any person or persons who violate the provisions of this subsection, upon conviction, shall be cited for a pedestrian violation, punishable as provided in chapter 318."

I posted the bicycle regulations as I was surprised at some of the rules - age limitations for riding alone, helmet use, single file on the side of the road, etc. Don't always see those rules being followed. Kids weaving around, playing chicken.

 

[badblackpug]

Don't get me wrong, I think children should be playing outside, as often as possible. I live across the street from a Jr. high school, you would be amazed at the number of children who do not walk or ride their bikes to school, and we live in a very small district. (less than a mile square) Every morning the street is clogged up with cars dropping off kids.

I think in THIS instance the OP just does not have enough information, and knowing 9 year olds, she may not be getting the entire story. I doubt the neighbors told them that they couldn't play outside, it is more likely the neighbors told them not to play in the street, and that they were too loud. What isn't known is why they told the kids that. It is entirely likely that the neighbors are cranky pants, it is also entirely likely that the kids trampled their rose bushes, or blocked their driveway, or the street. Or that they were what the neighbors felt were excessively loud. There are just too many variables right now.

What is unfair is to assume that just because the daughter was sleeping/napping at 2pm is that she is some sort of drunken party girl. As many people have brought up, there are many reasons why she would need to sleep at that time, including shift work or illness.

I think both sides need to work to be better neighbors. The across the streets need to understand that the neighborhood doesn't come to a stand-still because you work nights (or whatever reason you have to sleep during the day) and the parents need to realize that not all people enjoy yelling kids, or are happy to allow the neighborhood kids to play in their yard. It wouldn't hurt to tell the kids to play in an area away from the neighbors house. As the OP said, 9 boys can be quite loud.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Of course kids should be playing outside. Nothing the neighbors can do about that. However, they shouldn't be playing in the street.

I completely agree with this statement.

 

[Aliceacc]

You are the parent.

Unless your kids were breaking a law, the neighbors have no right to tell your kids what they "can" and "cannot" do.

If it were my kids, we would have a chat about consideration for others, as well as the standard chat about safety. (I'm the mom who yells "CAR" every time a car comes down our quiet little one way street if the kids are out playing... just in case.)

My kids tend to ride ACROSS streets, as opposed to playing IN them. They're polite and respectful... or else.

But I grew up playing on the streets of Long Island. Spud, wiffle ball, ringolevio, you name it. A car came down the street and we got out of the way, then resumed the game afterwards. No harm, no foul.

But no one but a cop or a court order has the right to override my rules for my kids.

 

[YodaGirl]

As for biking/walking to school, the students in my town who go to county schools are not allowed to do so because there are no sidewalks. The schools are off of highways. County school students must ride the bus or have someone drive them to school.

Yes, there were extenuating circumstances (no sidewalks), but I'm not surprised when I hear that some schools don't allow it. I'd imagine that all of these schools have the same thing in common - no sidewalks on part of, if not all of, the entire route.

It honestly doesn't matter if child A has experience riding. Who determines how much experience is necessary? If child A is allowed, but child B isn't, the school system is opening themselves up for major problems.

 

[duffy]

So what's going on??

 

[aprilgail2]

As far as kids riding their bikes to school, wouldn't it depend on the age of the child and distance they would have to ride? If it's a 6-year old, and they live 10 miles outside of town, from the school, might not be the best idea.

Also would depend on the weather. Rain might not be so bad if it's a short distance, but snow and ice would be a different story.

Not sure about the legality part of it, but I think common sense has to be used as well.

Kids here are not allowed to ride their bikes to grade school- the kid across the street did it once and they made him ride home and leave the bike there and walk back. Even if you rode with a parent, wearing a helmet etc you are not allowed to ride your bike to school.

 

[JaxJags08]

We have about 10 boys that hang out together most afternoons playing basketball, football or skateboarding. The noise doesn't bother me, it's just how they never get out of the way when they see me coming in my car. They also regularly use our lawn and driveway to throw their backpacks, sweatshirts, etc on and don't move those when they see me trying to pull in my driveway. Really - is it necessary for me to have to stop for 10 seconds and then finally motion to you that I need you to move yourself and your stuff out of my driveway when you see me almost everyday?! I've started just pulling in if their stuff is left on my drive - not actually going to hit it, just come close. Their parents are equally clueless and have parked their huge truck basically in the middle of the road for hours so cars could barely get by. Another lets their barely 4 year old wander around by himself - a friend saw him wandering after dark in his pajamas by himself and I've seen him at night on his big wheel going in and out of the road between parked cars. His parents just yelled at him to get out of the road but left him there and went back inside

Not saying this is the case with the OP, but seeing the post made me want to vent a little bit.

 

[jenrose66]

Actually not my neighbours, but the people that live across the street from me.

My kids play outside on the weekends. Yesterday, my kids came home and told me the people across the street told them they can't play outside anymore. They said the street is for cars and is not a playground. Their adult daughter is trying to sleep and they are making too much noise (2pm Sunday afternoon)

Because it was starting to rain anyway, I told the kids just to come inside for the day. Between my kids and neighbours, we have 9 boys. I will admit that 9 boys can get loud at times.

I don't know if there is more to this story. I would like to get both sides, maybe their car got hit or something but I am not sure. I don't really want to talk to them because I don't like confrontation but I guess I have to. We have had a "hi, how are you" relationship until now.

I guess I'm asking do you think it is reasonable to live in a neighbourhood and expect that kids won't play outside at some point?

BTW, I will be sending my kids outside again

Your kids have every right to play outside. Tell your neighbors to bite you. If they want to start giving you trouble check out their property real good, I'm sure you can find something wrong that you can report to code enforcement.

 

[JMJ3553]

Well, I'll tell you, I'm not an old fuddy duddy and I remember playing in the street as a kid, but I can feel my blood pressure rising every time I come down my street due to the kids playing on it. They don't seem to see any difference between their front yard and the street, don't seem to know that the primary function of a street surface is for the conveyance of vehicular traffic or that if my car hits one of them, it's not the car who will suffer the most. I cannot tell you the number of times I've had kids play "chicken" with my car or the number of times I've had to thank god that my brakes work because some kid ran from inbetween parked cars into the street -- including my next door neighbor's eighteen month old who's out there BY HIMSELF in the street. And btw -- we live in a middle class, new suburban development.

So if your kids play outside on the street, do they know the rules of playing on the street?

-Make way for cars
-Do not yell at the drivers of cars to "Get off the effing road!"
-Do not throw stuff at cars
-Do not pretend to throw stuff at cars
-Do not pretend to dart in front of a car because it's fun to give a driver a heart attack
-Do not run into the street -- either on foot, scooter, or bike -- without looking

I curse my neighbors kids and dogs every time I come and leave my house because of this reason. (to myself of course... not out loud) They are playing in the street without any adult supervision. They never give me the right of way... the ride their bikes right down the middle and pay no attention to me. It drives me crazy!!! I didn't read through all the posts, but please make sure your children are not doing this. Do you have a backyard they can play in or maybe go out and play with them yourself. My girls are young 7 and 4. I would never allow them to play outside by themselves.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Parents of kids who play in the street often regret it when they hear the ambulance sirens.

 

[torinsmom]

First of all, I would not assume that the kids account is totally accurate. There are always 2 sides to a story and the truth is usually somewhere in between. Before I went over there, I would tell my child that I was going to talk to the neighbors about what was said and ask if there is anything they didn't mention(like they hit a car or window with a ball, or they ran across a flower garden, etc). When you go over, I would just say, "My kids came home and said you told them they couldn't play outside anymore. I'm sure they must have misunderstood, but I wanted to see if there was a problem we need to discuss." Then see what they say.

Obviously, neighbors cannot dictate what your kids can do. If their daughter needs to sleep in the afternoon for whatever reason, she can put on a fan or white noise machine and/or use earplugs.