LETTER: Bikers, skaters speeding on campus will be fined

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by Neill Binford

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To the editor:

As a safety measure, Rice does not allow bicyclists and skaters to travel on many sidewalks and pedestrian walkways and never at high rates of speed. Over the past year, a number of students, faculty and staff have written or spoken to me and others at Rice concerned about their safety.

We cannot just assume that these complaints are isolated or infrequent occurrences. The potential danger to pedestrians is sufficient to put effort into altering the present pattern. A map on the last page of the Traffic and Parking Regulations booklet specifies the few sidewalks where bikes may be ridden.

Even on these sidewalks, bikes should be ridden at slow speeds, speeds safe enough to avoid hitting or startling pedestrians walking there. Pedestrians have the right-of-way on all sidewalks.

When a conflict for space on a sidewalk arises, bicyclists, skaters and motorized cart operators are expected to yield to the pedestrian, even if it requires stopping, getting off the walkway or dismounting, as from a bike.

Skaters and cart operators are asked to observe the same rules.

In the near future, I will be assigning Campus Police to a special bike patrol to ticket individuals who ride, skate or drive on any campus sidewalks or pedestrian walkways not approved for bicycles or anyone riding or skating on campus at an unsafe speed. The speed limit on our roadways is 15 miles per hour.

Bicyclists and even skaters may be given citations when they exceed this speed or ride/skate in a way to endanger themselves or others. They may be cited at even lower speeds when riding or sidewalks or among pedestrians. It is unfortunate that this has become necessary, but the situation has escalated.

I know that I can count on the understanding and cooperation of the Rice community in this effort to make walking on our streets safe.

Neill Binford

Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the April 12, 1996 issue.

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