Party bikes will still be allowed under plans to ban most vehicles from outside Ulster University's new Belfast campus, Stormont roads officials have confirmed.
All vehicles except buses, bicycles and blue-badge holders will be prohibited from travelling along the section of York Street between Donegall Street and Great Patrick Street under new proposals.
The "experimental traffic control scheme" would last for six months under the plans by the Department for Infrastructure.
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Party bikes have grown in popularity in Belfast in recent years, with many seen throughout the city centre during weekends.
They involve up to 18 punters hopping aboard to pedal along the streets and pedestrian areas while playing music and drinking mainly alcohol.
Roads officials confirmed that party bikes would be permitted to travel along the restricted section of York Street as they are considered under road traffic legislation to be bicycles.
The Department for Infrastructure said it would be willing to review any concerns about party bikes as part of a public consultation on the York Street scheme, which has an October 6 closing date for responses.
A spokesman said: "The department is aware that party bikes have been in operation in Belfast and other jurisdictions for some time.
"As these vehicles are not motorised and are deemed to be bicycles, they are subject to the same legislation that applies to bicycles. The operation of party bikes does not appear to breach current road traffic legislation.
"However, the department would be willing to review any general concerns in relation to issues relating to the operation of party bikes as part of the consultation."
Authorities over the years have struggled to agree on who is responsible for regulating so-called beer bikes.
Belfast City Council has previously said that while it works with police to enforce bye-laws against street drinking, party bikes are "on the road, not the street".
The Department for Infrastructure has also previously claimed it "does not have any powers to legislate for them".
In January it emerged a PSNI roads official had described party bikes as a "world of pain" for authorities that have no safe place on our streets.
But vendors have strongly defended their businesses, saying they work closely with authorities to ensure the bikes operate safely.
Alliance North Belfast MLA Nuala McAllister said party bikes "might be seen as bikes but they may need properly classified as a private vehicle".
She told Belfast Live: "I don't think they're as big a problem as other vehicles that go up and down spaces within the city centre.
"However, I wouldn't be supportive of their use in a pedestrianised zone - I just don't see the need for it."
Ms McAllister recently met with the university and infrastructure department about concerns over traffic arrangements near the new campus.
Some 15,500 students and staff will be brought into the city centre as part of the long-delayed £370million redevelopment.
But there are fears over many students in apartment blocks having to cross the eight-lane-wide Great Patrick Street to reach the campus.
Ms McAllister welcomed the York Street proposals as a means of improving safety and "prioritising active travel".
But she added: "It is not enough to secure the safety of the area and whilst welcome we do need further progress on the crossing between Great Patrick Street, Frederick Street and York Street."
In response to Assembly questions from the MLA, the Infrastructure Minister said officials have been working with the university and other stakeholders on long-term plans for the junction.
John O'Dowd said "as a result of concerns raised by Ulster University and others" his department is planning an "interim scheme" to improve the existing pedestrian crossings.
The Sinn Féin minister said the work is scheduled to commence in October and is expected to be completed in around 12 to 14 weeks.
He added: "Officials will be monitoring the operation of the junction to ensure it meets the needs of all road users, including pedestrians."
Ulster University has previously said it has for some years been working closely with government departments, statutory agencies, community groups and residents.
A spokeswoman said a dedicated junctions working group has been specifically reviewing the junctions "with a focus on safety and traffic management".
She added that local transport network operations surrounding the campus will be monitored during its initial opening weeks.
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