Location 1 Sproul Hall
Berkeley
CA 94720-1199
U.S.A.

ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 9‑1‑1

Dial from a cell phone for campus police in an emergency (510) 642‑3333

NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER (510) 642‑6760
24-HOURS

What to Know about Bikes on Campus

Welcome to Berkeley! We're glad you're choosing to ride a bike to get around, but we hope you will take steps to be a safe cyclist and do what you can to keep your bike out of the hands of thieves.

Bike Licensing Schedule last updated 1/23/2013

Bike licensing is provided by CSOs (UCPD's student employees) at the times listed below. Licensing schedule will vary depending on school session.

Bring your bike, and your ID. Proof of purchase would be appreciated. Read more about Bike Licensing laws in Berkeley.

Current Schedule: When and Where

BIKE LICENSING

WHEN: 6:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday—Friday
WHERE: at Police Department front counter
UC Police Department, 1 Sproul Hall

Picture of entry to Police Department, Bancroft Side, Basement of Sproul Hall

Thanks for checking this site regularly for the Bike Licensing schedule!

Bike licensing may also be available by appointment at times not listed above. Call 642-6760 between 6 and 9 PM and say you have a question about bike licensing. If your question can't be answered at that time, you may leave a message, or email UCPD at police@berkeley.edu.

UCPD recommends you license your bike. A license may be helpful if your bike is lost or stolen, but it is no longer required by law. Read more about Bike Licensing laws on campus and in Berkeley.

Lock Your Bike Properly

images courtesy of the SF Bike Coalition www.sfbike.org

To read more fom the SF Bike Coalition about locking, click here

http://www.sfbike.org/images/resources/theft_locking.swf

Whether you're on the streets of Berkeley, San Francisco, or even on campus, you will want to use the right technique and equipment to lock your bike to an appropriate bike rack or pole. (See Rules about bikes blocking egress.)

Learn how to go through wheel (no quick release) and main frame around bike rack.
Use a cable to get all wheels.
Be sure the U-lock secures the frame to your rack, not just a wheel.

Read more about locking your bike on this page on locking your bike on the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition site at sfbike.org.

Be sure to check out the interactive animation on the top that page. It was produced by the Bike Coalition and it's a great illustration of how to best keep a bike.

For a large view of the Flash animation, click here.

Bicycle Theft is a Fact

Bicycle theft is a tremendous 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.

See current statistics for bike theft on the Safety Counts website. You may also view currently reported incidents in our Daily Activity Bulletins and on our online Crime Map.

Summary of Bike 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.

• And the super obvious mistake we've actually seen some people make: Don't lock your bike to an object/pole that is short, AND has no obstacle at the top (i.e. parking meter without a "head"). Thieves will see that "locked" bike and lift the bike right off, lock and all.

Secure Bicycle Parking

It's a little known fact that our own Parking & Transportation Department offers Secure Bicycle Parking on campus. Using that service is perfect if you have a particularly valuable bike, or you can't risk the loss. Campus affiliates may apply for a space. Your bike must be licensed to use the facilities. The facilities are located in campus parking areas. Learn more about Secure Bicycle Parking

BICYCLE RULES AND POLICIES from "Safety Counts"

Speed. Right of Way.

On the UC Berkeley campus, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all times, except where signage directs pedestrians to give the right of way to bikes.

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. Within 10 feet of a pedestrian, 5 mph.

Besides the Dismount Zone, there are Other California vehicle code laws bicyclists should know:

you cannot ride a bicycle while wearing headphones
you must have a headlight that illuminates the path when riding at night
and more...
Other vehicle code for bicycles
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/about/bicycle.htm http://leginfo.public.ca.gov/calaw.html

What is the "Walk Zone"

Bicylists can ride everywhere on campus roadways, paths and courtyards except the Walk Zone. The Walk Zone is defined as Sproul Plaza, Dwinelle Plaza, Sather Rd. and any other clearly marked areas during the period of peak pedestrian traffic, 8am-6pm, M–F— when and where bicyclists must walk their bicycles or be subject to citation. The Dismount Zone applies to all others on wheeled transport too, like skateboards and scooters. When in doubt, WALK in the Zone!

BEST (Bicycle Education & Safety Training)

If you are cited for a "Walkt Zone" violation, you may reduce the fee to $50 by attending a 2 hour BEST class. Classes are held at UCPD twice monthly, the first Monday and the last Thursday of every month, at #1 Sproul Hall at 3:00 PM. Classes are administered by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. If you decide not to attend the BEST class, citations will be submitted to the Clerk of the Court for normal processing.

* Where is Sather Road? It's the space right out in front of California Hall, between Dwinelle Plaza and Doe Library. See it on the interactive campus map. Click on "s"

Rules about Motorized Bicycles

This chart summarizes the differences between certain popular motorized vehicles and devices.

Info about motorized bicycles

Bike Licensing Laws, both City and Campus

At UC Berkeley and in the City of Berkeley, bicyclists should obtain a California Bicycle License for their bicycle. A new license is valid for three years. Renewals, also available, are valid for up to three years. Licensing your bicycle increases the likelihood of recovery in case of theft. Secure Bike Parking on campus is only available for bikes that are licensed.

NOTEL: As of 2010, Section 6.02 of the Campus Traffic Code, regarding impounding or citing unlicensed bicycles, has been repealed.

Bike licensing is offered regularly by UCPD. Times and locations will be posted on this page (at police.berkeley.edu/prevention/bike.html#license. )

If you have questions about bike licensing, contact UCPD at 642-6760.

Be Aware of Egress and Access

Don't park carelessly or your bike may be impounded. Fines and parking tickets can exceed $200.

Parking bicycles in corridors, stairwells, exit pathways, or anywhere else where it may impede emergency exit from a building is NEVER ALLOWED. This applies even if there is no signage specifically prohibiting bicycle parking.

Before locking your bike to any object on campus that is not a bike rack, consider whether your bike would be blocking passage or access to someone requiring use of a handrail, or the full width of a throughway. Fines for tickets for parking improperly on campus can exceed $200.

For more information about rules regarding egress and bicycles, download the UC Berkeley, Traffic and Parking Code, or read more about Illegally Parked Bicycles at the Office of Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) website.

Riding safely

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.
Wear a bicycle helmet.
Be visible. A headlight for night riding use is required by law. A red rear reflector, two side reflectors on each wheel and reflector pedals should be used. Light-colored, reflective clothing is also a good idea.
Communicate. Ride predictably, visibly, and communicate with motorists by your actions and signals
-- it's extra nice to let pedestrians know you're approaching and which side you'll pass them on: i.e. call out a hearty, "On your right!" so that you're sure you are heard.

If you want to be a truly savvy urban cyclist, consider the free classes at the East Bay Bike Coalition. With an office on Shattuck between Allston and Kittredge, the EBBC is a conveniently located source for more information about biking in the area. Stay tuned for upcoming classes at www.ebbc.org/safety.

For further info on campus cycling and a list of cycling resources, visit the the Parking and Transportation website at pt.berkeley.edu.

Consider checking in with the Office of Sustainability about bike resources on campus. They are working towards building a program for our campus community.