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To learn more:
UW campus bicycle policies.
Bike Safety Tips:
From the Washington State Dept. of Transportation
Obey all traffic, signs and lane markings and never ride against traffic.
Don't pass on the right.
Scan the road behind you. Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving.
Keep both hands ready to brake, and allow extra distance for breaking
in the rain.
Wear a helmet and never
ride wearing headphones. Dress in layers for comfort and in bright colors for visibility, and use
lights
at night.
Make eye contact with
drivers--assume they don't see you until you are sure
they do.
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Campus Bicycle Safety 
October Event in Dismount Zone Informs Campus Bicyclists
The following was excerpted from an article that appeared in the October 13, 2005 issue of University Week. Photo by Kathy Sauber.
In October, the Transportation Office launched a campaign to increase awareness of the need to exercise caution while bicycling on campus. You may have noticed colorful Dismount Zone signs planted around the center of campus, near the HUB, reminding bicycle riders that they are expected to dismount and walk their bikes in between classes when pedestrian traffic is at its peak.
This was new information to a lot of bicyclists. During a lunchtime event on October 7 Transportation Office staff provided information about bike safety and talked with bicyclists about the dismount zone. They found that virtually no one was aware that it exists. The bike safety event also encouraged bicyclists to register their bikes with the UW police department: the names of bicyclists who registered bikes during the month of October were entered into a prize drawing. Students in the Health Education Leadership Program at Hall Health were also on hand selling bike helmets and bike lights.
Interest in raising awareness of bicycle safety was prompted by news of recent bike and pedestrian conflicts on campus. In response, the Grounds Improvement Advisory Committee met to discuss bicycle and pedestrian safety on the paths and concourses of the UW campus. The committee's recommendations included:
- Installation of temporary signs showing dismount zones, to be followed by more permanent signs.
- Expansion and improvement of information about bicycle safety and policies on the U-PASS Web site.
- Attaching a flier outlining campus bike safety policies to every bicycle offered in the annual bike auction and promotion of bike safety through campus organizations.
- Distribution of bike safety materials with sales of bike helmets and lights at Hall Health.
The committee also decided to identify dangerous spots for bike-pedestrian traffic on campus and seek ways to lessen the danger, and to review bicycle regulations with an eye on updating University policies.
The campaign of awareness and attention to bike safety hopes to result in conditions that will make bicycling more attractive as both a commute mode and as a way to get around campus. The intent is to make it safer for both bicyclists and pedestrians, without adding a lot of impediments. The Transportation Office will convene a campus task force to review the Washington Administrative Code, recommend changes to clarify regulations and penalties, and develop an administrative policy about bicycle safety.
One of the campus bike-pedestrian accidents that sparked the policy review was that of Carol Thomas, professor of history and chair of European studies, who was seriously injured on August 3 when a campus bicyclist ran into her outside Suzzallo Library. Thomas praised the intent of the committee for giving a serious issue the attention she says it needs.
"I am pleased that some action has been taken, because the problem--caused by a few people, not everybody--has become a very serious problem, as I found out at first-hand." Thomas applauded the tone of the discussion and breadth of its interest on campus. "I like that involvement, and I like their seriousness."
Get involved:
If you're interested in being considered for the task force to review bike safety policies and suggest changes and clarifications, or if you have information about a dangerous location or situation on campus for bicyclists and pedestrians, e-mail: upass@u.washington.edu.
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