Campus Safety Rules for Bicyclists and Pedestrians
Virginia Tech is improving the biking facilities on campus through new trails, additional bike lanes, and better bicycle parking areas. There are full bike lanes on Washington Street connecting Kent St. to Duckpond Dr. and on West Campus Drive. These lanes are provided in the hopes that cyclists will be safer while traveling on campus, however, safety still relies heavily on the individuals operating their bicycles. Below are important laws, safety tips, and services provided by Virginia Tech to make your ride as safe as possible.
Several rules are in place for cyclists on the Virginia Tech Campus:
- Bicycling is allowed on all asphalt paved surfaces, as well as other designated routes, including the paved paths on the Drillfield.
- When operating on roadways, bicycles must observe all rules applicable to moving vehicles.
- Obey all traffic regulations, lights, stops signs, signals, etc.
- When operating on shared pathways, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians.
- Virginia State law requires a rear reflector and a headlight when riding at night. When operating the bicycle in 35mph or higher zones, a tail light is required. A flashing red light on the back of your bike will also help oncoming traffic see you.
- Virginia State law prohibits the use of headphones or earphones when operating a bike.
- Always wear a helmet, it may save your life.
- Watch for people exiting from vehicles.
- Yield to motor vehicles, even if you are right.
- Remember that most accidents occur at intersections, so watch out for vehicles entering and exiting the roadway. You may see them, but they might not see you.
- Always signal to indicate a turn.
- Alert pedestrians when passing from behind.
Bicycle Parking
- Bicycles must be parked at bicycle racks, except when permission has been granted to keep a bicycle inside a campus building.
- Bicycles may be kept inside of residence hall rooms with the permission of roommates. Bicycles may not be kept in other areas of residence halls.
- A department head may grant permission for a bicycle to be kept in an office.
- Bicycles left on the sidewalk, the lawn, next to a building, in a parking space designed for a motor vehicle or chained to a tree, post, parking meter, light post, banister, or other structure may be impounded. Bicycles chained to handicap access areas will be impounded.
Bicycle Registration/Theft Prevention
Registration is free and easy. Click here for more information.
All bicycles on campus are required to be registered with the Virginia Tech Police Department. Bicycles not registered may be fined and/or impounded. Bicycles left on campus for more than five days following graduation will be considered abandoned and will be impounded and disposed of in accordance with university policy.
Why should you register your bike? First, because you are required to. Second, if your bicycle is ever lost or stolen, a record of the serial number and bicycle description will be available at the Virginia Tech Police Department to help in identifying your bike if it is located.
Aside from registering your bike, there are a few simple steps that you can take to help prevent your bike from being stolen.
- When locking your bike, always secure both the frame and the quick release wheel to the rack with your lock. A wheel with a frame missing or a frame with the front wheel missing won't be comfortable to ride home.
- Invest in a lock that will provide adequate security in relation to the cost of the bicycle. A $2 chain lock on a $1,000 bike is not a wise investment. Take some time to ask about or research potential locks before you buy one.
- Keep a record of the bicycle's serial number, make, and model if you have not registered it. (If you register your bike, this information will already be recorded for you).
- REGISTER YOUR BIKE.
If your bicycle is stolen and recovered, or impounded, you must be able to provide proof of ownership to the Police Department.
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