UAPD starts targeted education and enforcement today

September 5, 2012 • Posted by: Michael McKisson

Starting today, the University of Arizona Police Department will begin targeted enforcement and education at various intersections around campus.

Each year UAPD, sets up at popular intersections around campus looking for bicyclists who don’t stop at the stop signs. During the education phase of the the police have traditionally avoided writing tickets, choosing instead to provide information about the city and state laws related to bicycling.

After the education period ends however, police will begin citing cyclists.

Here’s an excerpt from UAPD’s announcement:

There are several thousand bicyclists on The University of Arizona campus during any given weekday. Understanding and complying with traffic laws as they apply to bicyclists is crucial in promoting a safe travel environment for everyone. The University of Arizona Police Department in conjunction with Parking and Transportation Services would like to take this opportunity to encourage your support and participation in The Bicycle Safety and Education Campaign.

The Bicycle Safety and Education Campaign is designed to educate community members on University regulations and Arizona State laws relating to bicycle traffic while providing important tips for safeguarding bicycles against theft.

Here are the dates and locations of the enforcement zones:

September 5, 2012 (Wednesday): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (University/Cherry)
September 11, 2012 (Tuesday): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Highland/4th)
September 19, 2012 (Wednesday): 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (University/Cherry)
September 25, 2012 (Tuesday): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Olive/2nd)
September 26, 2012 (Wednesday): 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
(AZ Health Sciences Center/South of Science Library)

Cyclists who do get a ticket on campus can take a free diversion class to avoid paying the fine.

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6 comments

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tucson

i think we should suck every last dollar out of the students. this is fantastic.

hugebeans

The laws pertaining to bicyclists don't make sense-- especially near the campus where bike populations are so high. Bikes are not cars.

Sean

They certainly should be treated as cars. If you're riding on the road (which a cyclist is legally bound to do) you must follow all of the laws bound to cars. These rules allow for a safer environment than if bikes were allowed to do what they want (ride the wrong way in traffic, blow through stop signs and stop lights, weave in and out of traffic, etc.) I'm glad that UAPD is helping educate the students around campus to ride legally, because the cyclists at the U are generally retarded. I'm speaking as an avid cyclist of 3 years and a UA student for 7.

Orvis

Sure Sean as long as the UA police target the automobile drivers speeding through the construction zones at Euclid and University or the cars who can't manage to stop short of the sidewalk line or the ones who roll through stops or how about the folks that blow the stop sign at University and 3rd Ave or the zillions of cars making u-turns on residential streets turning in front of oncoming bicyclists and or cars or all those drivers who can't figure out how to drive 25 and 30 mph on the streets surrounding the University area. How about a 3 foot law enforcement zone? My guess about what the scofflaw bicyclists and car drivers have in common is their educational affiliation. I'd give the bicyclists a leg ub in the brains department though. At least they have the good sense to not bring a car anywhere near the UA.

Trolliz

Let them get hit. Maybe they'll be able to pay off some of their loans and actually learn some valuable life skills out of it. Maybe it will make drivers more conscientious of their own recklessness. Maybe a pedestrian will kick someone off of their bike for being a prick and riding on the sidewalk. These are all learning opportunities; isn't that what college is for?