Bicycling on Campus - A Guide to Safe and Legal Telecom

Transcription

1 Bicycling Basics

2 Bicycling as a mode of transporta on has many advantages: it s good for you and the environment, saves you money and is o en faster than other ways of ge ng around our campus. This guide provides useful resources and ps for bicycling in a safe, legal and confident manner during your me in Lexington. It also includes a list of and links to local bicycle facili es and resources. The University of Kentucky is commi ed to educa ng its community about safe bicycling prac ces and to improving campus bicycle facili es. In 2012, UK was awarded Bronze Bicycle Friendly University status by the League of American Bicyclists. These efforts are coordinated through UK Parking and Transporta on Services in collabora on with UK s Bicycle Advisory Commi ee (BAC). To learn more about the BAC, visit B L Bicycling in Lexington and around campus is becoming increasingly popular as an easy, efficient way to get around. UK s campus is located in the heart of the city, just minutes from downtown by bike, and other hubs of ac vity like Chevy Chase and Southland Drive. In 2007, the city was recognized as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists. Lexington has also developed trails and bikeway plans to make our community even more bike-friendly. These plans are available at the BAC web site.

3 R R Cyclists and motorists have the same rights, rules and responsibili es on most Kentucky roads. Below are some ps for safe and legal bicycling. For a complete list of local bike ordinances, visit For Bicyclists and Pedestrians Obey traffic rules for safety and to gain respect from motorists. Never ride against traffic. It is illegal and unsafe. Be predictable and make eye contact with motorists; be sure you are seen. Use front and rear lights, wear bright clothing and always wear a helmet. Know the dangers of riding on the sidewalks. For Motorists Cyclists have a right to the road. Be alert and pa ent. Check your mirrors. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists. Reduce speed when you approach a cyclist. Bicycles are vehicles and should be given the appropriate right of way. Allow at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist. Riding on Sidewalks Some campus sidewalks have been designated as shared sidewalks and, under certain condi ons, serve as important connec ons for cyclists. These shared sidewalks are wide, do not run parallel to vehicular traffic and connect important campus des na ons. Even so, these walks were designed for pedestrian traffic, and bicyclists should always yield. If you choose to ride your bike on any campus sidewalk, please follow these basic rules: GO SLOW. Sidewalks are not designed for speeds faster than a slow jog. Always yield to pedestrians. Give audible warning, or dismount to pass when sidewalks are crowded or narrow. Check every cross street and driveway. Vehicles o en pull across the sidewalk before entering traffic or turn into driveways without scanning very far down the sidewalk.

4 Bicycle Registra on University of Kentucky Parking and Transporta on Services (PTS) strongly encourages all members of the campus community who plan to park their bicycle on campus to obtain and display a valid bicycle permit. Bicycle permits are free of charge. Bicycle registra on is voluntary, but members of the campus cycling community are highly encouraged to register their bicycles to take advantage of the following benefits to cyclists. A UK bicycle permit: Acts as a visible the deterrent; similar programs on other campuses have decreased bicycle the s. Can poten ally reduce costs to cyclists. If your bike is registered and it is illegally parked or appears to be abandoned, PTS can contact you directly in certain situa ons using the informa on provided during registra on, rather than impounding your bicycle and cu ng the lock. Proof of registra on can also be helpful if you want to file an insurance claim on your stolen bike. Aids in the recovery. PTS can flag your bike as stolen, provide you with your serial number and look for your bike. Improves bicycle educa on, both on campus and locally, through access to bicycle resources and informa on. Bike permits are available online at Please note that processing and delivery for online applica ons may take up to one week. Permits may also be obtained in person at Parking Structure #6 (721 Press Avenue), Parking Structure #5 (located next to Kennedy Book Store) or UK HealthCare Parking Garage (110 Transcript Avenue ). Bicycle Parking Bicycles may only be parked or stored at bicycle racks. Racks are located near most residence halls and classroom buildings. If you no ce a need for more bike parking in a par cular area of campus, submit a request via the PTS web site at Bicycle E News Newsle er Interested in ge ng updates on bike facili es and events in your inbox? Subscribe to the PTS Bicycle e-news newsle er at to stay posted on bike classes, facility changes and more for campus and beyond.

5 W W B L The Wildcat Wheels Bicycle Library (WWBL) provides FREE bicycle use and repair assistance to students, faculty and staff at the University of Kentucky. WWBL is located in the basement of Blazer Hall (see map). The core of the program is a bicycle recycling system that takes abandoned bicycles from the campus and recycles them into a bicycle library. Many bikes are available for check-out for the en re semester and a small fleet is reserved for short term use. WWBL also provides: A free, on-campus repair shop open to the UK Community; A fleet of bicycles for University departments; A fleet for the Residence Halls and A MobileShop that sets up in different loca ons around campus. B R S In 2012, with funding from the Bicycle Advisory Commi ee and the Student Sustainability Council, UK installed four free-standing Bicycle Repair Sta ons. The sta ons offer basic bike tools and an air pump, and are available around the clock. Each sta on also includes a sign with links to addi onal resources and a step-by-step guide to repairing flat res. Three addi onal sta ons were added in Bicycle Repair Sta on Loca ons: Blazer Hall Oswald Building (BCTC) Pa erson Drive The Commons at the Kirwan Blanding Complex College of Nursing W.T. Young Library Johnson Center

6 U H S C When riding your bicycle, using hand signals is the best way to communicate your inten ons to other roadway users. It is also legally required and a ma er of safety and courtesy to others on the road. Turning Le Turning Right Slowing/Stopping M E C Turning Right (alt) D In addi on to signaling your inten ons, make eye contact with drivers to confirm that they see you. Assume they do not see you un l you are sure that they do. B V Lights, reflectors and bright clothing are also tools for communica ng with other roadway users. These tools are especially important if you are riding your bicycle during low light condi ons. A front light and a rear reflector are required by local ordinance and state law for opera ng a bicycle at night or in low visibility condi ons.

7 W H Kentucky state law does not require cyclists to wear a helmet; however, research has shown that wearing a helmet drama cally reduces the risks of brain injury and death for cyclists involved in accidents. Helpful Helmet Hints Make sure your helmet is safe. Look for seal of approval from a na onal safety organiza on. Do not purchase bicycle helmets second-hand. Helmets should fit snugly. The helmet should move less than an inch in any direc on. Helmets should be worn flat across the head, not lted to the front or back. P B B In certain circumstances, biking may not be your best commu ng op on; consider combining bicycling with local mass transit resources. 1. Hold your bike with one hand and lower the rack with the other. 2. Li the bike onto one of the rack s wheel wells. 3. Pull the rack s support arm out and up over the front re of your bike. 4. Your bike is now firmly secured. The only contact between the rack and your bike is the re, thus protec ng your bike from damage. All Lextran* buses and many of the campus buses are equipped with bike racks. *Lextran is Lexington s public transit authority ( Most University of Kentucky CATS buses are also equipped with bike racks.

8 T L B F Maps: Lexington - UK - onresources Shared Use Trails A shared use trail is paved and designed for ac vi- es such as running and walking as well as higher speed ac vi es like bicycling and ska ng. They are 10 to 12 feet wide. Bike Lanes Bike lanes are defined as "a por on of the roadway which has been designated by striping, signing and pavement marking for the preferen al or exclusive use by bicyclists". Bicycle lanes make the movements of both motorists and bicyclists more predictable. Shared Sidewalks In general, riding on sidewalks is dangerous, illegal and should be avoided. However, some sidewalks on the University of Kentucky campus have been designated as shared use. These are wide pathways connec ng important campus des na on that do not run parallel to a roadway. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way on these paths. Sharrows Shared lane arrows, also known as sharrows, are installed when roadway width is too narrow to install a dedicated bike lane. They assist bicyclists with lane posi oning and alert road users of the loca on bicyclists are likely to occupy and encourage safe passing of bicyclists by motorists.

9 P L B Bicycles may only be parked at and locked to bicycle racks on campus. Bicycles locked to anything other than a bike rack may be cited or impounded. Always lock your bike through the frame to a bicycle rack: Common mistakes: Do not lock to just the wheel or just the fork. How to lock up video: W? If you believe your bicycle has been stolen, you should first contact UK PTS ( ) to confirm that your bike was not impounded. If it was not, contact the UK Police Department ( ) and file a report. Lexrides ( also provides a web forum dedicated to recovering lost and stolen bicycles.

10 This resource made possible by The University of Kentucky Bicycle Advisory Commi ee. Learn more about the work of the commi ee at University of Kentucky Bicycling Resources Local Bicycling Resources bikewalklex bikeshops Cats!