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UC Riverside police officers will spotlight bicycle safety over the next few weeks as they kickoff a campaign starting May 4 to alert cyclists about the rules of the road.

Officers will be out on campus, handing out pamphlets, talking to cyclists and in some cases issuing violators.

“There will be some enforcement but our focus is proactive education,” said Wade Stern, UCPD police officer in the Crime Prevention Unit. “We want to tell the students, faculty and staff who ride bikes on campus about the role they play in their own safety, as well as their role in the safety of pedestrians and motorists.”

The most frequent cyclist violations are failing to give the right of way, including driving on the wrong side of the roadway, equipment violations and not stopping at traffic signals.

Officer Stern and other officers will also educate cyclists about bike helmets, what kind of locks are best, and how to prevent bike theft.

Some important things for a bicyclist to remember:

• Behave like a motor vehicle – cyclists are subject to the same rules and regulations as vehicles.
  
• Cyclists may ride on campus roads where private vehicles travel, but are prohibited from riding on campus sidewalks and where posted as prohibited.
  
• Ride with the traffic.
  
• Yield to pedestrians.
  
• Travel at a rate of speed safe for the prevailing conditions.
  
• Only one person on a single-rider bike.
  
• Park only in designated bike parking areas and use a “U” shaped lock to lock the bike and all free or quick release parts.
  
• Cyclists can and will be arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  
• Head phones worn in both ears are prohibited while riding a bicycle.
  
• Always wear a properly fitted helmet. A helmet is not mandatory, but could be a lifesaver.
  
• At night, cyclists are required to be equipped with a headlight, a red rear reflector, two side reflectors on each wheel and reflector pedals.

Bicyclists on campus are required to register their bikes with Transportation and Parking. Registration is free and provides a way to deter theft, improve chances of recovery and can provide personal identification in the case of an accident. From September through April, there has been a total loss of $20,252.00 in bike theft.

A request from UCPD: If a cyclist gets stopped, please be patient and listen to what the officer has to say.

“We really are concerned about safety,” said Stern. “On the whole, the campus is a safe place to ride. We want to keep it that way.”

The University of California, Riverside (www.ucr.edu) is a doctoral research university, a living laboratory for groundbreaking exploration of issues critical to Inland Southern California, the state and communities around the world. Reflecting California's diverse culture, UCR's enrollment has exceeded 21,000 students. The campus opened a medical school in 2013 and has reached the heart of the Coachella Valley by way of the UCR Palm Desert Center. The campus has an annual statewide economic impact of more than $1 billion.

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