Revised September 2024
Objective
Review and update the Â鶹´«Ã½ Bicycle Program as it relates to the formulation, implementation, and development of bicycle policies. To ensure that the policies are designed to promote the safety of all members of the community through a spirit of mutual respect between bicycle riders, pedestrians, and motorists.
Introduction
In the past few years, the number of cyclists on campus has increased dramatically. More and more students, faculty and staff are enjoying the easy access that bicycles provide to the College campus and the larger metropolitan community. This guide is designed to familiarize you with the College's Bicycle Policy as well as to provide you with information about bicycle safety, area trails and biking organizations.
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle parking is located throughout campus. You may lock your bicycle to racks located in areas designated by bicycle parking signs only. Locking your bicycle to trees, handrails, signposts, access ramps or other such objects is not permitted. When locking your bicycle, you should secure the bicycle frame to the rack. The best locks to use are the u-shaped Citadel-Kryptonite style locks. You may store your bicycle in your room. Be sure, however, that it does not block any doors or fire escape routes.
Bicycle Equipment
Your bicycle should be equipped with front, rear, and side reflectors. If you ride your bicycle at night, we recommend that you also have a front headlamp that emits a light visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red reflector visible from 300 feet.
Rollerblading, Roller-Skating, Skateboarding, and Scooters
Rollerblading, roller-skating, and skateboarding are not permitted in any College building. Operation of this equipment is limited to sidewalks and pathways; skates and coasters are not permitted on roadways. It is prohibited to attach yourself to any vehicle, motorized or non-motorized, when using one of these types of equipment or when riding a bicycle.
Safety Tips
Bicycles are vehicles, and vehicular laws apply to bicyclists as well as drivers of motor vehicles. Safe operation of your bicycle requires that you be aware of these laws as well as be alert when riding your bicycle.
When operating your bicycle, you must always:
- Use proper hand signals when making a turn or stopping
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Yield to pedestrians
- follow the speed limit
- Respect areas designated for pedestrians only or as access ramps
- Ride as close to the curb as is practical (if sharing the lane with automobiles, allow enough room for a car to comfortably pass you on your left)
- Wear a helmet
- Keep at least one hand on the handlebars
- Carry identification
On campus, cyclists share thoroughfares with both pedestrians and automobiles. It is important, therefore, to ride defensively. Be alert for potential hazards such as moving vehicles, pedestrian intersections, and speed bumps. Taking care of your bicycle is important to maintain safety. Regular cleaning, checking nuts and bolts to ensure that they are secured and lubricating the moving parts will keep your bicycle working properly. If you are having problems with your bicycle, there are several bike shops in the area where you can take it for repairs
Bicycle Accidents
Most campus bicycle accidents involve bicyclists and pedestrians. In the District of Columbia, however, most bicycle accidents involve cyclists and motor vehicles. The following are the most common causes of bicycle accidents:
- running a traffic signal
- darting out of an adjoining street or alley
- riding on the wrong side of the road (against the flow of traffic
- riding to the inside of a motorist making a right turn
In the case of an accident, you must stop and properly identify yourself; you must also check to see if anyone has been injured. You should always carry a form of identification when you are riding your bicycle. If the accident involves a motorist, get his/her complete identification and insurance information. Under some automobile insurance policies, it is possible to obtain compensation if you are injured. If the motorist is uninsured, you may be able to claim compensation through the "uninsured motorist" coverage of your automobile insurance policy. In other cases, however, the liability coverage of your automobile policy will not cover you while you are riding your bicycle. The liability protection of a homeowner or renter's policy may cover you, but you should check with your insurance company to be certain.
Bicycle Theft
Most bicycles that are stolen are not locked; always lock your bicycle when leaving it unattended. If your bicycle is stolen, report it to CAMPUS SAFETY immediately. Your report should include the location and time of the theft and a full description of the bicycle including color, size, model, brand, registration, identification number and photo if possible. Engraving your bicycle with your social security number or driver's license number in both a visible and a hidden place will help you to be able to prove ownership. If you have an expensive bicycle, you may want to purchase additional insurance to cover your bicycle in the event of theft. Check with your insurance carrier.
Bicycle Security
Â鶹´«Ã½ maintains several security cameras that are utilized to observe bicycle parking areas. Some of the camera locations are designed to specifically observe bicycle racks, while others are on the periphery of buildings. Campus Safety performs routine patrols of bicycle parking areas.
Bicycle Removal/Disposal
At the conclusion of the Spring Semester, all students that are NOT remaining on campus for the summer months are required to remove their bicycles from parking areas. Staff from Facilities and Campus Services will remove bicycles that, in the judgment of these representatives are abandoned. The College is not liable for bicycles that are abandoned at the conclusion of the Spring Semester.