Bloomington, IN: Driving and biking tips, big hotel and restaurant weekends
If you're a longtime Bloomington resident, you've seen the signs ― a busier crowd on East Kirkwood Avenue, careening U-Hauls on the road, the booming echoes of the Marching Hundred.
The fall 2023 term of Indiana University begins later this month, and the city's population is set to balloon with the thousands of students either moving back or starting fresh.
But Bloomington, like many college towns, has a few quirks and eccentricities. For our city's new part-time residents, we've compiled these insider tips on living here.
Careful where you drive your U-Haul: a history of trucks caught under bridges
If you have to question whether a bridge is too short for your U-Haul or pickup, it probably is. Don't fall victim to the Bloomington bridge curse that plagues drivers this time of year.
The Adams Street overpass (also called the song or Stardust bridge) and 10th Street Railroad Overpass are the biggest dangers. If you're driving around in a U-Haul on either of these roads, we advise you take an alternate route.
One-way streets are everywhere
Be careful where you turn or you might find yourself staring into a pair of headlights. Be extra vigilant of street signs — the streets near IU's campus are a cluster of one-ways.
Don't get confused by Seventh Street — whether cycling or driving
If the mere mention of Seventh Street didn't prompt a groan or involuntary wince, you haven't been in the city for very long. The city's multi-million dollar 7-Line project — which included installing a protected bike lane and removing stop signs — has faced sharp criticism by a wide swath of the public since its reconfiguration.
The 7-Line is an east-west protected bicycle lane on the street's south side that connects the Indiana University campus at North Woodlawn Avenue to downtown Bloomington and the B-Line trail. Since it was opened, the city has added bollards to prevent cars from driving in the bike lane and after an uptick in traffic accidents, added more stop signs.
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While the city has re-installed stop signs, some initial confusion from users remains — especially on your first trip. Many a motorist has driven their vehicle on the dedicated bike path, either intentionally, to illegally park/load, or out of confusion.
Prep for IU games, family weekend: how to get tickets, when to reserve hotels and restaurants
Be prepared for a few back-to-back heavy traffic weekends at the beginning of September.
The IU football season kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 2, as the Hoosiers face The Ohio State Buckeyes.
Tickets to any scheduled game can be purchased at iuhoosiers.evenue.net. While normal ticket prices fluctuate — for example, the Sept. 2 game is priced between $50 and $110 and the following home game against Indiana State is $20-$70 — college students get a flat ticket price of $20.
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The weekend of Sept. 8 marks Family Weekend at IU, which means a super influx of out-of-town relatives taking every available seat in downtown restaurants and filling every hotel room and Airbnb. If you have visitors coming to town, you should start looking at hotel and restaurant reservations now.
How to get around Bloomington without a car
With a Crimson Card, IU Bloomington students can ride for free on city and campus transit. Routes have different destinations and run times, with both IU and Bloomington Transit publishing more information on their respective websites.
People can also use electronic scooters to whip around campus or city streets — but for the first time in a full school term, the hours are restricted.
From April to October, stand-up scooters cannot be ridden between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. From November to March, the off-hours are 8 p.m.-5 a.m. However, electronic sit-down devices can be operated around the clock.
While the IU campus will follow these city-imposed limitations, the university has also asked for a geofence to prohibit e-device riding around the athletic facilities Memorial Stadium and Simon Sjkodt Assembly Hall. According to Hannah Skibba, IUPD public information officer, this restriction is meant to help protect riders and pedestrians in these high-traffic areas.
If you're already planning a day trip to Indianapolis or Chicago, there are also a few ways to get there without a car.
What to do when you have a problem with a landlord or apartment conditions
If you have an ongoing maintenance issue that has been consistently ignored by your landlord, you can get in contact with the city's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department. After you submit a complaint, an inspector with HAND will come and investigate potential violations.
That being said, HAND does not resolve issues related to leases or other legal disputes. Instead, students have access to free legal counsel through IU Student Legal Services. While legal advice and representation is available at no extra charge, students are usually expected to pay court fees.
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For other general questions, the city of Bloomington has a comprehensive webpage of resources at bloomington.in.gov/welcome, where new residents can get a quick run-down of their tenant rights.
Here's a list of local, international grocery stores near IU Bloomington
With a mixture of local and chain grocery stores, here's a list of the ones near campus:
Bloomingfoods, at 316 W. Sixth St. (downtown) and 3220 E. Third St. (east side)
Kroger, 528 S. College Ave.
World Foods Market, 106 E. Second St.
B-Town International Market, 2901 E. Covenanter Drive
Kroger, 1175 S. College Mall
Apna Bazaar, 2556 E. Third St.
Aldi, 2035 S. Liberty Drive
Fresh Thyme Market, 2812 E. Third St.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: How to drive, grocery shop, be entertained near Indiana University
