Ticket prevention 101: How to avoid lurking UCSB bike cops
The rules we all forget but the bike cops don’t
As if having those pestering bicycle cops on campus weren’t enough already, a new law has taken effect in IV as of January 2016:
It is now against the law to have both headphones in while riding a bike or driving.
Oh boy, just think of all the fellow Gauchos we see riding to work, class, or jamming away before dinner with both buds near full volume.
They’re doomed.
With the Daily Nexus reporting over 15,000 bikes on UCSB’s campus in October of 2015, this new law is more than relevant to our student body. Facing fines and possibly even court costs, drivers and bicyclists can be cited for simply enjoying a nice song between destinations.
Let me be your friendly reminder, your fellow law abiding student, your heroic reporter of vital information – not only can I save you from any future fines, but I can also save you the embarrassment of being pulled over during rush hours by a UC bicycle cop.
Thanks to the courtesy of the UCSB police website, I have had the opportunity to read through the bike and skateboard rules and regulations. Here are some of the most absurd, yet also most important ones to be aware of.
Bikes:
- You can’t throw something while on your bike (whether moving or stationary) – yes, this includes: food, trash, that test you just got back that you are still disappointed with, and that left over ice cream cone from DLG
- You can’t have your dog with you on the bike path – they WILL impound your dog and you WILL have to pay to get his innocent soul released
- You can’t talk on the phone while riding your bike
- You actually have to obey all of those stop signs scattered around campus (and pray the person behind you doesn’t rear-end your bike at full speed)
- Oh, and NO HANDLEBAR-ING. Very illegal – don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Skating:
- No talking, texting, playing Clash of Clans, taking pictures, or even ordering your burger from IV Deli while skating
- Don’t skate with your dog (they WILL take him…seriously)
- Don’t even think about doing any tricks on your skateboard on campus property
- No SKITCHING!
- “Skitching” – the act of hitching a ride by holding onto a motor vehicle while riding on a skateboard, with roller skates, on a bike, etc.
I personally received a VERY expensive ticket on campus for skitching on my roommate’s bike while I was skating and let me tell you – paying that ticket was not fun, and listening to that lecture from the bike cop was even less appealing.
So there they are – some of the most important new laws to remember the next time you are biking to class or decide to hit the lib. If you’re looking to avoid a ticket and keep your integrity untouched by the dreaded bike cops here at UCSB, I hope you found what you were looking for.
I mean, after all – if there’s one thing we’ve all learned as broke college students, it’s that every cent counts.
Safe Travels Gauchos!