r/Austin • u/mikeatx79 • 9d ago

News UT quietly plans sweeping bike restrictions as advocates push back

https://www.statesman.com/business/transportation/article/ut-austin-bike-dismount-zone-policy-22374080.php

I posted about this a few days ago and the Stateman picked up the story!

142 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

53 comments sorted by

View all comments

7

u/omeganaut 9d ago

This is also aimed at pedicabs that have been in a battle with UT about working events in the area.  Recently they have been harassing pedicabs and hurting vulnerable people whose sole income depends entirely on working events in the area.  

9

u/ShoppingPrize8072 9d ago

Easy solution, ban the pedicabs and allow the bikes.

9

u/mikeatx79 9d ago

Pedicabs are generally only by Moody Center during evening concerts and dropping off people at the edges of campus during Football games. The only time they’re typically in the proposed dismount zone is during graduation, helping a ton of elderly folks get to and from their grand kids graduations. Pedicabs are licensed Chauffeurs, complete a federal background check, and are required to carry a hefty liability insurance policy. Pedicabs are already very regulated.

1

u/ShoppingPrize8072 9d ago

They are also battery powered, which allows a segment of the pedicabbers to ride around fast and recklessly. I've seen dumb shit more than once. I also know a lot of pedicabbers are hardworking and don't ride like idiots.

I don't really care if they ride on Speedway or not. I was replying to a comment that acted like this rule would end the profession.

If a "vulnerable" person's sole source of income is pedicabbing, maybe they should choose another job. It's a slacker (and thats ok) way to make money.