The weather has been sunny and students have been out and about on their bikes. But, local authorities warn, students need to watch out where they ride.

It is against the law in Athens to ride a bike, skateboard or rollerskate in the Uptown area. It also is illegal to ride across College Green or to take a bike into an Ohio University building. These are problems local authorities face every year.

The students who choose to cross College Green on their way to class could find themselves paying fines.

An OUPD officer will issue a university citation - a fine of $10 - if the person rides on College Green or takes a bike into a building. If a person is riding on the road and commits a traffic violation, he or she could be issued a state violation, Russell said.

Athens Police Department gives out citations to people who are caught riding on an Uptown sidewalk.

"We tried to warn them," Athens Police Lt. Ernie Antle said. "But you can warn somebody and they'll go down half a block and get back on and start pedaling. We've found that the warnings aren't very effective."

Antle said the APD sees an increase in bike riders this time of year and has problems with them as well.

"The problem with the bike (riders) is that they are hard to catch. You can see them in a cruiser, but if they turn down an alley, then it's too hard to catch them," he said.

Antle said the APD's main concern is pedestrians. The ordinance outlawing bikes Uptown was started because people carelessly rode bikes and were causing problems with Uptown pedestrians.

The bicyclists on the roads are not a problem as long as they are aware of their surroundings and pay attention to where they are riding, especially near parked cars, Russell said.

Students who have bikes have mixed opinions of the bike laws.

"It's not that big of a deal," said OU freshman Mike Stuart. "As long as you are careful on the streets, nothing's wrong with the laws."

However, freshman Nicole Rummer said she does not see the point in bringing a bike to school if she cannot ride it certain places.