Enhancing Campus Safety
The SDSU Police Department will start issuing administrative citations in 2018 for bicycling, skateboarding and smoking violations.
Starting in the new year, the San Diego State University Police Department (UPD) will begin issuing tickets to students, staff, faculty, campus visitors and community members who ride their bicycles, skateboards and other personal transport devices recklessly or in non-designated areas. Officers will also ticket violators for smoking on campus.“We are all part of a great campus community and it’s everyone’s responsibility to respect each other and help keep SDSU safe.”
The administrative citations will cost offenders $75.
Unlike criminal misdemeanor tickets issued by San Diego Police and other law enforcement agencies, the administrative citations cost less and do not require a court appearance, according to SDSU Chief of Police Joshua Mays.
“We are going to continue to have a strong education program here on campus to inform people about the regulations and to let them know that we will be issuing citations beginning in 2018,” said Mays.
The campus has a designated path on Aztec Walk and Campanile Mall, in addition to inner campus roadways, where people can ride bikes and skateboards.
“Riding on any other walkway is a violation of SDSU policy,” said Mays.
UPD officers recognize bikes and skateboards as an effective form of transportation around campus. However, serious-injury accidents involving bikes and skateboards have increased over the past three years. According to Mays, installing more signage and ramping up enforcement efforts will help lower rates of bicycle, skateboard and pedestrian accidents in high-traffic areas.
“To best care for our campus community’s safety, we regularly study data including accidents and enforcement requests to identify areas and behaviors of high risk,” said Mays.
UPD has fielded complaints about dangerous riders from students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. Local residents and business owners have also voiced concerns about reckless riding.
“The rules are set up for everyone’s safety, but it’s just as important to respect each other and the community at large,” said Mays. “We are all part of a great campus community and it’s everyone’s responsibility to respect each other and help keep SDSU safe.”
Campus bicycle and skateboard routes as well as comprehensive safety guidelines can be found on the University Police Department website.
More information about the SDSU Administrative Citation policy and the appeal process is available online.
