Bicycle regulations not well understood

There are a variety of ways that students travel to and around the campus of A&M-Commerce. The majority of students choose to walk or drive from class to class, but there are a large number of them who choose to ride bicycles or skateboards.

Although the University Police Department (UPD) does not hassle many of these riders, they often break laws and regulations put in place by A&M-Commerce and the state of Texas.

According to article XVI (16), section A of the university's Traffic And Parking Rules And Regulations, "Students and faculty and staff members riding bicycles on the premises of Texas A&M University-Commerce are subject to all state laws pertaining to bicycles."

These laws include having lights and reflectors when riding at night, refraining from riding on all sidewalks on campus, unless "expressly approved for bicycle traffic by UPD", making appropriate turn signals, stopping at stop signs, and obeying all traffic laws while on the roads.

However, one A&M-Commerce student thinks students and staff should not be prohibited from riding their bicycles on the walkways.

"I actually feel like it is a lot safer to ride your bike on the sidewalks," junior art major Kenny Scarberry said. "You do not have to worry about getting hit by cars, and the ground is smoother to ride on."

Concern for the safety of pedestrians with regard to this issue does not appear to be a problem to others.

"I have just learned to be more observant," junior health and human performance major Nik Nixon said. "I have seen people texting and not paying attention almost get hit by people riding bikes on the walkways, but I think people just need to be more observant of what is going on around them."

In addition to the safety laws and regulations, there are also general rules that bike riders must obey. Locking up a bike to trees, banisters, handrails or anything other than designated bicycle racks on campus is illegal.

If a bicycle is found locked to an object prohibited by rules and regulations, it will be removed at the owner's expense and disciplinary action will be taken.

"Violations of the law are punished by traffic citation and a penalty assessed by a judge if there is a finding of guilt," UPD Crime Information Officer Jason Bone said.

UPD encourages students and staff to register their bicycle with them for identification purposes. There is no fee for this service, and the police department will provide an identification permit to display on the bike. An engraver is available upon request to engrave the owner's driver's license number onto the bike's frame in order to deter theft.