Pedestrian safety and Bikeshare
Earlier this month, the University defined a new “Pedestrian Friendly Zone” that will take effect on the first day of classes. The zone covers the area between 21st and 24th streets and Guadalupe Street and San Jacinto Boulevard, along with a stretch of Speedway. Riders of personal electric vehicles, such as electric scooters and bicycles, will be expected to dismount and walk their vehicles through the area with the aim of improving pedestrian safety.
“PEVs tend to be ridden at higher speeds, left in spaces that violate fire safety codes and have batteries that pose additional risks in our buildings,” University Parking and Transportation wrote on its website. “The mobility changes we’re implementing are intended to address these challenges and support a campus experience that is welcoming and safe.”
Capital Metro Bikeshare returned to campus after a brief suspension in June. The bikes were pulled after a warehouse fire in May, according to CapMetro. During the suspension, two new electrified bike stations were installed at UT. Service resumed Aug. 11 with one-third of the fleet currently available. Full service is expected to return by the end of 2026.
‘TEXAS’ crosswalk removed
The ‘TEXAS’ crosswalk mural on Guadalupe Street was paved over July 2 in compliance with an order from Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Transportation to remove roadway art flagged by the state. In May, the city requested to preserve the art and others like it around Austin, but TxDOT rejected the proposal, forcing the removal under threat of withholding funding and suspension of mutual agreements.
“The initiative emphasizes that intersections and crosswalks should be ‘kept free from distractions,’ including political messages, artwork or any other non-standard markings that may compromise safety,” TxDOT wrote in its order released Oct. 8, 2025.
The directive also led to the removal of the “Black Artists Matter” art on East 11th Street and the rainbow crosswalks on West 4th Street, among others around the state.
César Chávez statue removed
Workers removed the statue of labor activist and unionist César Chávez from outside Battle Hall on the University’s West Mall on June 4. The de-installation came after a New York Times investigation published in March, which revealed evidence that the civil rights leader had sexually abused women and girls close to him in the movement.