Some downtown businesses are concerned too many cyclists in Charlottetown are giving up on the streets in favour of the sidewalk.

'A lot of people aren't aware that there is legislation under the Highway Traffic Act.'— deputy police chief Gary McGuigan

Charlottetown police told CBC News Wednesday they are working to educate people that riding on the sidewalks is illegal.

Sohail Hashmi owns a gift shop on a busy downtown street in Charlottetown. He's seen the danger of bicycles on the sidewalk right outside of his store.

"One of the customers was coming out of the store and this kid was, of course, coming pretty fast. You could hear the brakes," said Hashmi.

"It is very dangerous for the pedestrian when people are biking."

Deputy police chief Gary McGuigan said police are taking the concerns of downtown businesses seriously.

"A lot of people aren't aware that there is legislation under the Highway Traffic Act, and that they're not permitted to drive their bicycles on the sidewalk," said McGuigan.

Mike Connolly, executive director of Cycling PEI, has no complaints about the law, but said there may be some exceptions.

"A young child delivering papers in the morning on their paper route may be better off on the sidewalk than putting themselves in danger riding with traffic," said Connolly.

McGuigan agreed it is a tricky law to enforce when it comes to children, but said there is no reason for adults to bike on the sidewalk. He said police are trying to educate the public.

"Doing soft enforcement, just telling them about the legislation and trying to bring that to their attention," he said.

No one in Charlottetown has ever been fined for sidewalk cycling. If charged, the maximum fine is $100.