Bicycle Information

Bicycling in Berkeley

You can ride everywhere on campus roadways, paths and courtyards except the Dismount Zone (Sproul and Dwinelle Plazas, during peak period, 8am-6pm). The City of Berkeley makes bicycle commuting easy with its system of “Bicycle Boulevards” and other marked bicycle routes and paths. AC Transit and BearTransit have bicycle racks on the vehicles.   See the Bicycle Resources section below for more information about organizations offering support for your bicycle commute on campus and throughout the City of Berkeley.

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Bicycle Maps

Campus:

• Campus Bicycle Network and Bicycle Parking, Page 34 of Campus Bicyle Plan

City of Berkeley

• http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/transportation/Bicycling/Bike_Walk_map.pdf
• http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/transportation/Bicycling/Bike_Walk_campus_side2.pdf

 

Bicycle Licensing

UCPD and the Parking & Transportation department offer FREE bicycle licensing services to campus affiliates once a week on upper Sproul Plaza.  Each semester a new schedule is posted here – so check back for updates. 

At UC Berkeley and in the City of Berkeley, bicycles are required to have a California Bicycle License.  If the UCPD stops you while riding a bicycle without a valid license, you could be subject to citation. Additionally, licensing your bicycle increases the likelihood of recovery in case of theft.  A new license is valid for three years. Renewals, also available, are valid for up to three years.

Spring 2008, Bike Licensing Schedule

UCPD offers FREE bicycle licensing services to campus affiliates on upper Sproul Plaza on Wednesdays from 10:30am to 1:30pm.

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Bicycle Parking and Securing Your Bike

Bicycle racks are provided throughout the central campus.  P&T also provides free secure bicycle parking in six locations — these facilities are caged or monitored by security cameras. For more information and to download an application form, visit the Secure Bicycle Parking page.

Secure your bicycle properly

Bicycle theft is a problem on college campuses, and UC Berkeley is no exception. Bicycles and bicycle parts, including “quick release” seats and wheels, are in big demand, and thieves are well-equipped and organized. 

Locking tips:

• Always lock your bike to a bicycle rack.
• Use a high quality “U” shaped lock. Avoid using lightweight cables or chains, or low quality U-locks
• Always lock your bicycle through the frame and both wheels to a bicycle parking rack.
• Lock all free parts of bike or take them with you.
• Avoid leaving your bicycle locked outside overnight.
• Before leaving your bicycle, give the lock a tug to ensure it is secured.

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Safe Riding Tips

• Always ride with traffic.
• Signal your turns and moves.
• Ride in a straight line, to the right of faster-moving traffic.
• Ride as far to the right as is safe, but not so far that you’ll hit garbage cans or opening car doors. If there is a bike lane, use it.
• Use Safety Equipment:  wear a bicycle helmet and for night riding use a headlight, a red rear reflector, two side reflectors on each wheel and reflector pedals. Light-colored, reflective clothing is also a good idea.

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Campus Bicycle Policies

Be respectful of pedestrians; they have the right-of-way.

Dismount Zone: In the area of Sproul and Dwinelle Plazas, riding is prohibited during peak periods of pedestrian traffic; between 8am and 6pm, Monday through Friday. Bicyclists must walk their bicycles in the Dismount Zone during those times or be subject to citation.

The recommended speed on campus paths is 5 mph within 10 feet of any pedestrian and 10 mph elsewhere.

Bicyclists are subject to the same rules of the road as motor vehicle drivers. The maximum speed limit on roadways is 25 mph, except where posted otherwise. In driveways and parking lots it is 10 mph.

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Bicycle Policy Enforcement

To safely and effectively manage the growing number of bicycles on campus, the Parking & Transportation department and the University Police share responsibility for bicycle parking regulation, bicycle traffic and equipment regulation enforcement, education regarding bike theft prevention, and theft investigation.

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Campus Bicycle Committee

This committee develops recommendations on campus bicycle issues. The meetings are open to the community.

For more information, and to find out about meetings, contact Committee Chair Karl Hans at (510) 643-9574 or Kira Stoll, Transportation Planner at (510) 643-9276.

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Bicycle Resources

Emergency

If you require assistance in an emergency due to a bicycle accident, call 9-1-1. If dialing from a campus phone, you will be immediately connected to the campus police. From a cell phone on campus, call the local emergency number, 510-642-3333. See below for numbers to call to report a non-emergency bicycle accident. (All area codes 510)

Campus

Parking & Transportation Department	info about bike parking & infrastructure	643-5790
UC Police Department	report stolen bicycles & non-emergency accidents; safety on roadways and pathways; or locked bicycles blocking access	642-6760
Facilities Services	report campus road hazards	642-1032

 

Community

511.org	www.511.org Regional transportation information, including traffic, transit, ridesharing and bicycling	call 511
The City of Berkeley	report city road hazards	644-6620
	report stolen bicycles, non-emergency accidents	981-5900
	bicyle planning & city bicycle sub-committee	981-7062
The Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition (BFBC)	www.bfbc.org	549 RIDE
The East Bay Bicycle Coalition (EBBC)	www.ebbc.org	433-RIDE
The Berkeley Bike Station	www.bikestation.org attended bicycle parking at the Downtown Berkeley BART Station	548-RIDE

Local bicycle shops are also excellent resources for equipment advice, books, maps, and repairs. There are many bicycle shops in Berkeley, some just blocks from the campus.

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Bicycle Commute Programs

The New Directions Program for faculty and staff bicycle commuters offers discounted daily parking, guaranteed rides home in the event of a personal emergency, and more.

Visit pt.berkeley.edu/transportation_alternatives/new_directions_programs for details.

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Stay informed about Parking & Transportation promotions and special events through P&T’s mailing list!

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