Bicycle Safety - Excerpted from the JMU Student Handbook Safety Section

J1-100 Bicycles

The use of bicycles for transportation by the JMU community is an integral part of campus life. With the increased use of bikes comes a heightened concern for their safe operation. The Office of Public Safety, with assistance from students, faculty members and staff, developed these biking guidelines to help bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists share and enjoy a safe campus.

J1-101 Where To Ride

J1-101.1 Ride as close as possible to the right edge of the roadway. Exceptions to this are when bicyclists are overtaking and passing another vehicle, preparing for a left turn, avoiding unsafe conditions or when the lane width is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle. Bicycles are not excluded from riding on the berm or shoulder.

J1-101.2 Do not ride between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction unless one lane is a separate or mandatory turn lane.

J1-101.3 Ride single file on highways. Bicyclists may ride two or more abreast on paths or parts of highways designated exclusively for bicycle use.

J1-101.4 Bicycles (and pedestrians) are prohibited from interstates and certain other controlled-access highways. The restricted sections of the highways are marked with conspicuous signs.

J1-101.5 When a usable bicycle path is located next to a roadway and local ordinance requires its use, bicyclists must ride on the path, not on the roadway.

J1-101.6 Bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinance or traffic control devices. While on the sidewalks, bicyclists must always yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian. Yield the right of way to pedestrians or vehicles when pulling onto a sidewalk or highway from a driveway.

J1-102 Changing Directions

J1-102.1 Obey all traffic signs, signals, lights and markings just as you would if operating a motor vehicle.

J1-102.2 Signal your intentions to stop or turn. The signals do not have to be given continuously if both hands are needed to control the bicycle.

J1-102.3 Make left turns as pedestrians would: continue straight across the intersecting road, obey the traffic signals, turn left at the corner and proceed as usual. Bicyclists may also dismount and walk in the crosswalks of the two intersecting roads.

J1-103 Passing

J1-103.1 Overtake and pass another vehicle only when it is safe to do so. Bicyclists may pass another vehicle on the right or left, and they may stay in the same lane, change lanes or ride off the road if necessary for safe passing. Note that passing motor vehicles on the right side may be extremely dangerous if the motorist does not see the bicyclist and attempts a right turn.

J1-103.2 Motorists must approach and pass a bicyclist at a safe distance and reasonable speed.

J1-104 Accidents

Stop when you are in an accident. Report accidents involving death, injury or property damage. Give your name and address to the police and to any person involved in the accident or the property owner. If unattended property is damaged, make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Your name must be given to the owner. If the owner cannot be located, leave a note in a conspicuous place at the accident site and report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

J1-105 Safety Considerations

J1-105.1 Do not carry other riders on the handlebars or ride two to a bike (unless it is a two-person bicycle).

J1-105.2 Do not carry articles which prevent you from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.

J1-105.3 Do not attach yourself or your bicycle to any other vehicle on the roadway.

J1-105.4 Earphones are prohibited while riding a bicycle.

J1-105.5 Every bicycle ridden between sunset and sunrise must have a white light on its front with the light being visible at least 500 feet to the front. The bicycle must also have a red reflector on the rear, visible 300 feet to the rear. A red light visible 500 feet to the rear may be used in place of or in addition to the red reflector.

J1-106 Public Safety Responsibility

It is imperative that all riders obey the laws and local ordinances pertaining to the safe operation of bicycles. It is the responsibility of public safety officials to maintain a safe campus environment through enforcement of those provisions. Where breaches in safe operation of bicycles arise, public safety personnel may refer a student to the university judicial system.

J1-107 Hints for Safe and Responsible Bike Riding on Campus

J1-107.1 Ride on the sidewalks where possible; give way to pedestrians. J1-107.2 Attempt to spare the grass where possible by riding on the paved walkways and roadways. To prevent erosion, do not ride on the walking tour trails of the arboretum.

J1-107.3 Stay off athletic playing fields and out of Bridgeforth Stadium.

J1-107.4 Do not ride bikes in residential, academic or administrative facilities (indoor bike tracks are exempted).

If the operation of a bicycle is particularly reckless, involves gross negligence or disregard of others' welfare, excessive speed or refusal to comply with reasonable official requests, the rider may be subject to adjudication for the "Noncompliance with an Official Request" or "Dangerous Practices" policies found in the handbook

J1-108 Registration

Both the City of Harrisonburg and JMU require all bicycles to be registered. All campus residents must register their bicycles with the Office of Public Safety and affix the issued numerical decal to the bike. Off-campus residents operating bicycles on campus may register their bicycles with either the city of Harrisonburg or JMU.

J1-109 Storage

J1-109.1 No bicycle may be kept anywhere inside academic or administrative buildings. If all the residents of a living unit concur, bicycles may be stored in students' rooms and suites. Storage may occur only within the confines of the prescribed areas. Bikes should never be left in halls, corridors, stairwells or on landings or handicapped ramps.

J1-109.2 Bicycles improperly placed in campus residences, Greek housing, other campus facilities or handicapped ramps will be confiscated by the university. Wall mountings to store bicycles are not permitted and damages caused by the storage or transportation of a bicycle are the responsibility of the bicycle's owner.

J1-109.3 Motorcycles, mopeds and other motorized vehicles are not allowed in stairwells or corridors of residential or other facilities. Towing charges may be assessed for removal.

J1-109.4 When possible, lock your bicycle to bike racks; do not secure them to trees, railings, lampposts, fences or handicapped ramps. Bicycles are not to be stored in campus bike racks or otherwise left on campus or within university facilities by persons not currently enrolled for classes. This includes the summer months. Such bikes are considered abandoned property and are subject to confiscation, storage and subsequent sale as state property.

J1-110 Further Suggestions for Bike Safety

J1-110.1 Use of a helmet is strongly recommended.

J1-110.2 Pedestrians should not step in front of cyclists, who may not be able to stop in time.

J1-110.3 Remember when riding up behind pedestrians or other cyclists, they most likely will not hear your approach. Alert pedestrians when overtaking or passing with an audible warning.

J1-110.4 Be predictable; ride in a straight line.

J1-110.5 Motor vehicle operators should remember that the bike is a vehicle with the same rights as an automobile. Before opening your door, check for passing cyclists. Don't overtake a cyclist and then make a right turn in front of the bike. Give riders at least six feet of leeway, in the event they fall. Most importantly, signal your intentions, especially when turning to the right.

J1-110.6 Ride defensively - expect a car or truck to pull out from a side street. Gain eye contact; use an audible warning.

J1-110.7 Stay out of the gutter; take your place on the traveled portion of the roadway.

J1-110.8 Be visible with bright colors; use lights and reflective material so you will be noticed.

If you need more information or are looking for places to ride or people to ride with, contact

• Center for Off-Campus Living, 568-6071
  
• Office of Residence Life, 568-6275
  
• Office of Public Safety (Parking), 568-3300 weekdays; 568-6913 evenings and weekends.