U. Police enforcing bike ban

Bikers beware -- University Police officers have started enforcing the bicycle ban on campus. Officers are either issuing city citations or sending students letters advising them about the ban, according to an officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity last night. The ban, proposed by former President Sheldon Hackney and approved by University Council in April 1992, bans bicycles from Locust, Hamilton and Smith walks from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Although the ban went into effect November 1, 1993, it was not really enforced for a few months as part of a grace period to make the community aware of it. Some students said yesterday the ban has not led them to curtail their riding. "I received a written warning over the summer," College senior Glenn Nix said last night. "I didn't pay much attention to it. I've still been riding my bike on the Walk." But, acting Vice Provost for University Life Valerie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she believes the ban is working. "I thought about [the ban] today as I was almost run over twice on Locust Walk," McCoullum said yesterday. "I haven't seen as many people riding around now." But according to Noel Weyrich, president of The Bicycle Coalition of the Delaware Valley, the battle over the bike ban is far from over. "I still think they are abusing their police power," Weyrich said. "I'm hoping that they are not writing Philadelphia tickets, because I promised that I would take it to City Council and take away their police powers." A University Police official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said that University Police officers are enforcing the ban, but not issuing city tickets. Currently, University Police is merely asking for identification to warn the students and track repeat offenders, he said. Weyrich finds this an abuse of bicycle riders' civil rights. "I don't think they have the authority to stop people on these grounds," he said. "From a civil libertarian point of view, it's obnoxious that the University sets up a rule and starts stopping citizens on public right of way. That is a truly sick abuse of civil rights." Nix sees a double standard in University policies. "They don't stop people from rollerblading," he said. "As long as people are careful, there shouldn't be a problem." Weyrich agreed. "If they would merely take the signs down and crack down on the people riding irresponsibly, they would solve the problem," he said. Weyrich said his organization is not finished in its fight against the University. He said members would fight to stop the closure of 36th Street, between Walnut and Sansom streets -- which would be part of the Revlon Center project. The Philadelphia City Council would have to approve the closure, Weyrich said, adding that he has been talking to Council members about his grievances with the University. "Every City Council member I've talked to about this is repelled that they're banning all bicyclists, fast and slow, inappropriate and appropriate," he said.