SJSU officials re-examine bike policy

By: Erin Keilah Chin

Posted: 5/11/06

After 16 years with a campus policy restricting bicycles and forbidding skateboards, roller skates and inline skates, San Jose State University officials are considering some changes.

"The SJSU's Parking, Traffic and Transportation Committee is basically discussing how to update the policy because the campus has changed since (it) was issued," said Andy Chow, Transportation Solutions commute coordinator.

The Parking, Traffic and Transportation Committee has worked for over three years on changing SJSU's bicycle policy, said chairwoman Linda Roper.

The current policy is stated in the Presidential Directive 90-01 passed in 1990, which states, "The purposes of this presidential directive are to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians that bicycles and skateboards pose and to reduce the risk of injury of persons riding skateboards in areas not intended for that purpose."

According to the presidential directive, skateboards, roller skates and similar devices may not be ridden on the San Jose State University campus at any time. Bicycles and unicycles on the other hand, may not be ridden between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. on campus, with the exception of specific areas.

The directive reads, "Bicycles and unicycles may be ridden on the following streets (within a prescribed bicycle lane when this is provided): 4th Street, 7th Street except between Clark Hall and Engineering, 9th Street, 10th Street, San Carlos Street, San Salvador Street and San Fernando Street, 5th Street south of San Carlos Street, 8th Street between San Salvador Street and San Carlos Street."

Temesgen Atzbaha, Associated Students director of campus climate affairs and member of the Parking, Traffic and Transportation Committee, said the current bicycle policy is unclear and that the new policy would make rules easier to understand.

"The restrictions are complicated," Atzbaha said. "Even with a map it's hard to understand. The old policy is more about what students can't do. The committee wanted to approach the new policy with a positive approach."

The proposed policy classifies vehicles into two categories: non-motorized vehicles and motorized vehicles. A non-motorized vehicle is a device that can be propelled by human power. A motorized vehicle is a wheeled device that a person can ride, and that is powered or partially powered by an electrical or internal combustion engine.

Along with making a clearer policy that would be easier to understand and follow, PD 90-01 referenced buildings that no longer exist.

"There have been many changes to our campus since that policy was put into affect," Roper said. "For example, the closure of San Salvador to cars and traffic and the building of the new campus/public library. We need a policy that takes these changes, as well as others, into consideration."

The proposed policy states, "The purpose of this policy is to regulate and promote the safe use of non-motorized vehicles on campus grounds. By allowing the use of non-motorized vehicles on campus, the University is encouraging community members to reduce its dependence on motor vehicles. This reduces traffic congestion, pollution, parking demand and the consumption of fossil fuels."

Roper said that SJSU is a community within the larger community of the city of San Jose. She said she hopes the new bicycle policy will help to welcome people in the San Jose community to the SJSU community.

"Hopefully, this new policy will help to reflect and encourage community," Roper said.

With this new bicycle policy, there will be designated dismount areas around the campus.

"(Designated dismount areas) are areas that will be posted letting the bike riders know they need to walk their bike in that area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday," Roper said. "PTTAC recommends the inner area around the student union being a designated dismount area because of the amount of foot traffic between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m."

She said that instead of having a policy that stated specific locations where riding is restricted, the proposed policy states that the restricted areas will be marked so that there is no confusion.

In the proposed policy there are "common sense" rules that non-motorized vehicle riders should follow. They include, "Always yield to pedestrians; maximum speed limit is 5 mph; walk vehicle when there is no clear path ahead, such as when the walkway is too crowded with pedestrians or other obstructions; no trick riding - all wheels must be on the ground at all times; riders will dismount and walk their vehicle where appropriate signs are posted; and walking with any vehicle is permitted throughout the campus grounds."

"The main change the committee is proposing is the allowance of non-motorized vehicles such as bikes, scooters, roller skates and other similar vehicles," Atzbaha said. "I think as long as students follow the 'common sense' rules, it will work."

Besides being able to ride bicycles, skateboards and scooters on campus, Atzbaha said there are other benefits.

"(The change) provides an opportunity for those who live on campus or near campus to get around our spread-out campus faster without having to be warned or ticketed by UPD," Atzbaha said. "This allows for a clearly specified policy that our campus can abide by. It might also contribute to reducing the parking issue."