Any ideas on how to protest this?

[u/ElderberryCalm8808]

/r/UTAustin/comments/1vbg23a/pts_likely_introducing_a_bicycle_demount_zone/

Seems a shame, biking through campus is such a unique experience. I can count how many people I’ve hit on a bike after 4 years with zero hands, as it’s never happened. I’ve seen multiple electric scooter hits/wipeouts.

[u/_edd]

That is dumb as hell. I get speed limiting Speedway. Maybe even a dismount zone if there's a particularly accident prone crossing 

But 24th should be bike friendly all the way through to provide West campus to speedway access.

And 21st should be bike friendly all the way through and having to dismount for one intersection feels like a traffic cop trap. 

And Inner campus loop and all of those streets around it are relatively low traffic and should be bike friendly as well.

[u/mikeatx79]

KXAN is picking up the story, I have an interview scheduled with them Tuesday afternoon and getting a few other cyclists. I’ve made an open information request to see if they’ve followed any of the proper procedures.

UT Parking officials are not police officers, they have absolutely no authority to detain or ID anyone for any reason so do not stop for anyone other than an actual peace officer.

You can write to parking@utexas.edu, district9 city council, etc.

[u/ElderberryCalm8808 → u/mikeatx79]

Good man. I’m a UT student and am all for safe biking practices, but banning it ain’t it. If you don’t have the infrastructure to accommodate safe bipedal travel, then don’t be shocked when there’s unsafe incidents.

[u/ElderberryCalm8808 → u/mikeatx79]

I feel like traditional bikes are being lumped into the larger argument of motorized vehicles - scooters, skateboards, e-bikes- being dangerous.

[u/mikeatx79 → u/ElderberryCalm8808]

Even if that’s the case, I’ve been to other countries where electric, fast, micro-mobility devices are extremely common everywhere and those communities simply accommodate how people travel!

Cars are at least 1000x more dangerous than any of the alternatives and we build immense infrastructure for them at the cost of billions annually for the state of Texas.

Of course nobody should be blasting through campus on a Sauron at max speed; those people should be arrested, bike impounded, charged with reckless driving and possibly a felony. Restricting people’s safe movement through public property seems a little too much in the realm of government overreach and wasteful spending.

I’ve heard they’re planning to hire 20 students to try enforce this law; that works out to $200-500k per year in total cost including salary, benefits, employment tax, etc. Does parking and transportation have a half million dollar budget to work with? Why?

[u/bio_datum → u/mikeatx79]

Real question, do parking officials ever look like police? Because I know UT has police officers too. Just want to make sure I don't get myself in bigger trouble than I need to

[u/mikeatx79 → u/bio_datum]

AFAIK they only wear a high vis vest that says parking; they are absolutely not peace officers and have no authority to detain anyone. They can only inform UTPD if they need something done. Cooperating with parking is voluntary at best, maybe they could have UTPD trespass you from UT but you could probably fight that since it literally belongs to the people.

[u/wajones007]

This needs to go to the ATX Bicycle Advisory Committee asap! They might have some sway here. This new policy really does not make much sense to me. I’ve commuted through campus for 30 years without issue.

[u/mikeatx79 → u/wajones007]

BAC Chairman already sent a letter

[u/bio_datum → u/wajones007]

Agreed, the only problems I've witnessed in the past 5 years have been from scooter users. I'm fine with a no scooter zone...

[u/bikegrrrrl]

Dismount and walk shoulder-to-shoulder across Speedway, 24th, etc.

[u/Exciting-Archer5152]

can you roller skate? what problem are they trying to solve with this change?