The battle between pedestrians and their two-wheeled opponents ensues. Bicyclists and walkers have developed a rivalry with one another that has grown thick on OU's campus.

For some pedestrians, it takes a single incident with a biker to mar the reputation of them all.

Cynthia Phillips, pre-nursing sophomore, said she was hit by a biker on her way to Goddard Health Center.

"He was coming down a ramp and hit me. He rode off without even apologizing," Phillips said. "There should be limitations for where (bikers) can ride their bikes."

Phillips said she has often felt threatened by bicyclists while on the sidewalk, which is an area meant for pedestrians.

"They kind of expect everyone to move out of their way while we're on the sidewalk," Phillips said. "They are very disrespectful."

Like Phillips, some pedestrians on campus feel endangered by bikers who go too fast and don't acknowledge walkers.

"I think the bikers are more aggressive this semester than in the past. People (on bikes) are riding faster through crowds," said Laurie McReynolds, a staff assistant who walks to the Carl Albert Center each day for work.

Caitlan Capps, University College freshman, said she often feels endangered by the reckless bikers she encounters on her way to class.

"There should be a speed limit for bikers, because they can get out of hand," Capps said.

Though a speed limit has not been implemented, there are regulations that apply to bike riders on campus. OU Department of Public Safety Sgt. Gary Robinson said many OU bicyclists and pedestrians are unaware of the laws that apply to them.

"There are certain parameters about crossing the street that apply to bikers," Robinson said. "A lot of people don't know that they're actually supposed to walk their bicycles across sidewalks."

The traffic laws pertaining to OU's campus vary from Norman's laws and are addressed in detail in the student handbook.

April Lewis, pre-occupational therapy junior, says she rides a bike to get to classes quicker, but traffic regulations, such as having to walk her bike across sidewalks, along with the slow-moving masses of walkers, make bike riding less expedient.

Bike Regulations



o When ridden on streets or in areas intended for use by motor vehicles, bicycles shall observe all "rules of the road" applicable to those vehicles.



o Bicycles may be ridden on campus sidewalks, but at all times must be kept under the control of the rider, operated at a safe speed, and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.



o In the event of a collision on campus sidewalks involving a bicycle, including without limitation any contact with a pedestrian, the involved parties must stop and exchange names, local addresses, telephone numbers and, if students, student ID numbers.

Lewis said she rides in bike lanes when they are available and tries to be considerate of the pedestrians that obstruct her path.

"If pedestrians are in my way and they won't move off the sidewalk, I'll ride on the grass," Lewis said.

Lewis said her efforts to be polite to walkers deserve the same courtesy in return.

"My main frustration with walkers is people being rude about being in the way when all they have to do is take two steps to the side," Lewis said.

Michael Ragland, University College freshman, said he assumes a different bike-riding policy.

"If [pedestrians] are going to be in my way, I'll run them over, but, generally, I try to stay out of their way," he said.

Though some bike riders may not heed the rules of the road, those that do obey said they still feel they are branded as reckless bicyclists, said Matt Martin, computer science junior. He said that though the reputation is deserved for some, it is not applicable to all.

"As long as people are careful, I try not to get in their way," Martin said. "It doesn't bother me if they are in my way, because they have just as much of a right to walk there as I do to ride a bike there."

Tony Degiusti, University College freshman, recently gave up his bicycle in exchange for his walking shoes.

Degiusti said he even experienced anti-biker comments from friends.

"When you're riding a bike, people all of the sudden lose respect for you, even friends," Degiusti said.

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