Violators of electric bicycle and motorized scooter regulations subject to citation

Electric bicycles continue to be a prominent topic of discussion in the Park Cities. Now, the University Park Police Department is strictly enforcing the regulations surrounding e-bikes, and violators will no longer receive warnings but will instead be issued citations. Violators under the age of 17 who receive citations will have to appear in court with a parent or guardian.

With the growing popularity of e-bikes, the City of University Park implemented new regulations in August 2023, aimed at ensuring public safety and maintaining traffic order within the city limits. These regulations, which were designed to address concerns about speed, pedestrian safety, and traffic flow, have become a key area of focus for the University Park Police Department.

Following the implementation of these new e-bike regulations, a public education campaign was launched to inform the community about the updated rules. After this campaign, officers began making contact with violators, initially giving official warnings. Since the ordinance passed, the University Park Police Department has issued 82 official warnings, with many of those warnings given during the summer of 2024.

As a reminder, on August 1, 2023, City Council approved an ordinance that states:

• E-bike operators and riders under the age of 16 must wear a helmet
• No bicycles or e-bikes may be operated on sidewalks in commercial districts, and no e-bikes may be operated on any sidewalks in the City
• E-bikes must be operated at a speed reasonable to surrounding conditions

Some other tips to remember:

• Bicyclists (including electric bikes) must follow all road laws
• A person riding a bicycle should only ride on the seat of the bicycle, and there is only one rider permitted per seat
• Lights are required on all bicycles, and the use of lights is mandatory at night

Additionally, we would like to remind residents that city ordinance prohibits the use of motor-assisted scooters on public streets, highways, or sidewalks, except for individuals aged 18 or older in designated permitted areas, specifically on streets around the SMU campus. Initially adopted in 2009, the ordinance banned electric scooters from all city rights-of-way due to safety concerns. However, in 2018, it was amended to allow certain exceptions, permitting scooter riders 18 and older to operate on certain streets and/or sidewalks around the SMU campus. 

Please ensure that you and your family are familiar with these guidelines to avoid citations and ensure the safety of everyone in our community. 

City receives high marks in resident satisfaction survey

In the spring of 2024, the City of University Park worked with ETC Institute—a nationally recognized government research and survey company—to administer a community survey. The survey was conducted as part of University Park’s effort to assess resident satisfaction with the quality of services the City provides as well as the overall perception residents have of the community where they live. This is the first community survey ETC Institute has administered for University Park.

The seven-page survey was mailed to a random sample of households in University Park. Residents could either return their survey by mail or complete the survey online. A total of 361 households completed the survey, and the results collected have a 95% level of confidence with a precision of at least +/- 5.10%.

Read the 2024 University Park Resident Satisfaction Survey Findings Report (PDF)

Here is a recap of the 2024 survey findings:

Overall Perceptions

• 98% of residents expressed satisfaction with University Park as a place to live (compared to national average of 48.5%)
• 97% were satisfied with University Park as a place to raise children (compared to national average of 61.4%)
• 98.6% were satisfied with the overall appearance of the City (compared to national average of 46.%)
• 92.2% indicated they felt safe in University Park (compared to national average of 66%)

Quality of City Services

Satisfaction ratings for the City of University Park rated significantly above the U.S. average (5% or more) in all 50 areas that were assessed. The major categories of City services that had the highest levels of satisfaction were: 

• The quality of city parks & recreations services & facilities (98%)
• The quality of police, fire, & emergency medical services (95%)
• The quality of customer services you receive from city employees (93%)

Most Important City Services

The major categories of services respondents think are most important for the City to provide are:

1. Public safety (police, fire, and emergency medical services)
2. Street maintenance
3. Water utilities

Additionally, ETC Institute developed a digital dashboard with the results of the survey, allowing residents to view the comprehensive survey findings and data by category.

Thank you to those who completed the survey! We appreciate you taking the time to provide your feedback.

Park Cities Recycling Event scheduled for October 19

Save the date for the next Park Cities Recycling Event! The event will take place in the SMU parking lot on the south side of Burleson Park on Saturday, October 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here is another chance to clear out your garage, attic and closets of old financial and medical documents, outdated or unused electronics and even clothing and furniture. Be on the lookout for more information in future City publications!

National Night Out - Tuesday, October 1 at SMU

Stop by the SMU campus on Tuesday, October 1 beginning at 5 p.m. for National Night Out! SMU Police are hosting the event, which will be held at the flagpole at 6100 Bishop Blvd, and will feature a simulated dorm-burn by UPFD and much more. UPPD will also be participating in the event, so come and say hi to our first responders!

FY2025 budget public hearing and vote

The Tuesday, September 17 City Council agenda includes a public hearing on the proposed FY2025 budget and tax rate. Following the hearing, Council will vote to adopt both items. For more information on the FY2025 budget, visit the FY25 Proposed Budget webpage.

Comments about the proposed budget

If you want to make your comments in person during the September 17 meeting, you are welcome to do so. If you would like to register to speak before you arrive at City Hall, here is the online form.

All Council Meetings are livestreamed on the City's website at uptexas.org. If you want to comment remotely or have comments included in the Public Comments portion of a Council Meeting, you can use our website’s eComment feature, or you can contact City Secretary Christine Green. Please note that the Mayor will acknowledge receipt of written comments, but written comments are not always read aloud.

There are still some spots left for Doggie Splash Day! The fun takes place on Saturday, September 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To participate you must be a University Park/HPISD resident and you must register. The registration fee is $10 per dog. Humans are free. You will need to register each dog that will be coming to the event.

Did you know that the UP Public Library has downloadable eBooks, audio books, movies, magazines, music albums and more available online for free with your library card? These can be accessed on your computers, Kindles, tablets, and smartphones. Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month by signing up for a UP library card!

Additionally, in celebration of Library Card Sign-up Month, City Council approved waiving the $10 card replacement fee every September to promote library services, so if you misplaced or lost your card, now is the perfect time renew. Participate in the celebration by renewing or signing up for a UP library card this month!

Only a few more days to support the UP Public Library for NTGD! 

Act fast to TRIPLE your donation! Every dollar donated to FOUPPL for North Texas Giving Day will be matched by CORIENT Wealth Management up to $5,000 and COMERICA Bank up to $5,000. So, if you donate $100 before the first $5000 is reached, it will be worth $300 to the Library! NTGD ends Sept 19.

Meet Me at the Library Lecture Series features Rusty Williams on October 8

Mark your calendar! On October 8, the MMATL Lecture Series features Rusty Williams, Author of Texas Loud, Proud, and Brash: How Ten Mavericks Created the Twentieth-Century Lone Star State. The presentation is in the UP Public Library Community Room at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served starting at 6:30pm. Presentations are free and open to the public. Reservations are appreciated although not required. Register for the program.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 City of University Park | 214-363-1644 | www.uptexas.org