Bicycles have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation for students, faculty, and staff. Not only are they less expensive to operate and maintain than an automobile, they also allow their riders close, convenient parking to most campus buildings.
For the safety of the bicyclist, as well as the pedestrian on the ISU campus, the Department of Public Safety has adopted the following rules and regulations.
- All bicycles on the ISU campus must be registered and/or licensed through Iowa State University or the City of Ames. University registrations are available free of charge at the Police and Parking Division Offices of DPS or register your bicycle online here.
- Every person riding a bicycle on a street or highway is granted all the privileges and subject to all the regulations applicable to any motor vehicle on that street or highway and to the special regulations in this section.
Obedience to traffic control devices:
- Any person operating a bicycle must obey the instructions of official traffic control devices, signs, and signals applicable to motor vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer or authorized traffic director.
- Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right turn, left or U-turn is permitted, no one operating a bicycle will disobey the direction of any such sign.
- When a bicycle rider dismounts from the bicycle to make a right, left or U-turn, the person will obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
Bicycle paths:
- Whenever a separate bicycle path intersects a highway, bicycle riders on the path must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway.
- On campus streets with no marked bicycle lanes and where no adjacent designated path exists, bicyclists must use existing streets and must follow motor vehicle regulations.
Sidewalks:
- Bicycle riders must not use campus sidewalks except those specifically designated as bicycle paths. Furthermore, the Ames Municipal Code prohibits riding bicycles on the sidewalk on the south side of Lincoln Way between Stanton Avenue and Hayward Avenue.
Pedestrian right-of-way:
- Any bicycle rider must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian in a designated crosswalk.
Lawn areas:
- Bicycle riders are not allowed to ride on lawns.
- These bicycle regulations will not apply to officers of Iowa State University’s Department of Public Safety if they are acting within the scope of their regular assigned duties.
As with motor vehicle parking, the parking of bicycles must also be controlled to keep the campus safe and convenient for everyone. These regulations are intended to prevent bicycle parking in areas of high pedestrian traffic, areas that could cause a safety hazard, or could be disruptive to other people.
- Bicycles must be parked in the bicycle racks provided. They must not be parked on lawns or sidewalks or chained to trees, light poles, fences, benches, etc. Bicycles improperly parked may be impounded by cutting and removing the locking devices, when necessary. Of particular concern are bicycles parked on disability access ramps. Bicycles found on these ramps will be immediately removed and impounded.
- Bicycles that are considered to be abandoned will be impounded. They must be removed by cutting the locking device , when necessary.
- Bicycles must not be taken inside any building except those authorized by the Department of Public Safety.
Theft of bicycles is one of the largest crimes occurring on the ISU campus. We urge you to take every precaution to protect your investment. Here are a few tips to protect your bike:
- Locks, chains and cables deter theft. Buy the best device you can afford. (Note: combination locks are not recommended since they are vulnerable to hammer blows and the combinations are usually easy to figure out.)
- Always lock your bicycle to a bike rack. Anchor both wheels and the frame with your chain, cable or U-lock.
- Insurance is a good investment. Most homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies will cover the bicycle and the lock.
- If your bike is stolen, file a report with the Department of Public Safety. By providing a complete description of the bicycle along with the serial number, you enable the department to enter the data into the national crime computer and have a better chance of recovery.
