University Park

Patrols aimed at educating bicyclists, enforcing regulations

University Park, Pa. — Everyone has seen them: bicyclists who ignore stop signs, weave in and out of traffic, alternate between riding on the street and on the sidewalk, ride the wrong way on one-way streets and ride up past cars in the narrow space between traffic and the curb.

"Bicyclists need to follow the rules of the road," said Rebecca Berdine, Penn State Police officer. "You need to ride your bicycle in the same manner as you would drive a vehicle. It needs to be on the roadway. You need to stop at stop signs. You need to follow all the traffic rules and regulations. It's really important for their safety, and for the safety of pedestrians and motor vehicles. We don't want to have an accident on campus."

Other regulations include restrictions against wearing headphones, earbuds or anything else that impairs a bicyclist's ability to hear what's going on. Anyone riding a bicycle at night is required to have a light and reflectors. "If you're riding at night and don't have a light, then other motorists can't see you and you're putting yourself at risk," Berdine explained. She said there is no helmet law for anyone over the age of 12, but she still encourages bicyclists to wear helmets for their own safety.

Police have been out on increased patrols recently, stopping bicyclists who are observed violating the regulations. "We're trying to get out and speak with the public in regards to making sure that their bicycles are registered and making sure they're aware of what the rules and regulations are," Berdine said. Bicycle regulations can be found at http://www.psu.edu/dept/police/bikeregulations.html online. A copy of the regulations also may be obtained at the Parking Office, University Police, or at the kiosks in the visitor parking lots on the University Park campus.

Berdine emphasizes that all bicycles on campus should be registered. She said registering bicycles serves as a theft-deterrent, because even if the registration sticker were to be removed, the bicycle's serial number will be on file with the police so if it's stolen and then recovered, its true owner can be identified and contacted.

Registering a bicycle is easier than ever, since registration has moved online. Members of the Penn State community can go to the transportation Web site at http://www.transportation.psu.edu/bicycles/registration.shtml and register their bicycles online free of charge. The registration sticker will be mailed to the person, and the registration is good for two years.

Bicycle thefts have been a persistent problem at University Park in recent months. Between April 30 and Sept. 17, 2008, there were 42 bicycles reported stolen. "The best thing to do is make sure that your bicycle is registered, because that's going to give one more deterrent," Berdine said. "Make sure you're securing your bike. Don't leave it unattended somewhere. Get a good lock, and make sure you use it."

Berdine also stressed the importance of securing bikes to a bicycle rack. "Don't be securing it to other items around campus. When you secure a bicycle to a handrail, it makes it difficult for others to gain entry into the building. So any bicycle that is secured to a handrail will be removed and the individual could receive a ticket. They're also not supposed to be secured to trees. Bicycles are supposed to be on bicycle racks. Penn State is attempting to place more bicycle racks on campus, and we're asking that even if it's not right next to the door, riders use a bicycle rack as opposed to securing their bicycles to another item."

Police plan to be a visible presence around campus this semester, making sure bicycles are registered, educating bicyclists about the rules of the road and enforcing regulations. If a bicyclist is stopped for a violation, the registration or serial number likely will be checked to see if the bike has been reported as stolen. Those in violation of bicycle regulations may receive a warning, or could be ticketed. "The safety issue is our number one concern and the driving force behind this initiative, making sure that the community members stay safe," Berdine said. "That's why we're here."

Penn State University Police Officer Frank Ball chats with a bicyclist on Penn State's University Park campus. The police are out to educate bicyclists on bike rules of the road. Credit: Greg Grieco / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated November 18, 2010