Bicycle Safety and Operation

Bike Safety

General bike safety procedures include:

• Wear a helmet - Reduce your risk of head injury by 85%.


• Use hand signals - Hand signals tell everyone what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, courtesy, and self-protection.


• Only Ride in designated bike lanes – (see symbol to left) shared pathways are marked and cyclists should use the appropriate bike lane.


• Ride single-file - Ride in a straight line about a car door's width away from the parked cars.


• Honor yield and stop signs – Bicyclists must obey traffic laws. Use caution when approaching pedestrian crossings and stop if there is a s stop sign.


• Pass with caution – Only pass on the left and alert the people around you. Say "On your left" as you are about to pass.


• Ride at a safe, reasonable speed - Consider the flow of bicycle traffic and other bike path conditions.


• Don't weave between cars - Avoid riding to the curb between parked cars. Motorists may not see you when you try to move back into traffic.


• Follow lane markings - Don't turn left from the right lane. Don't go straight in a lane marked "right turn only"; stay to the left of the right turn only lane if you are going straight


• Choose the best way to turn left - There are two ways to make a left turn:
  1. Like a motorist: Signal move into the left lane, and turn left. In a left turn only lane, stay to the right of the lane to allow any motorists behind to make their turn on your left.
  2. Like a pedestrian: Ride straight across to the far-side crosswalk, dismount, and walk your bike across.


• Whenever possible, avoid travel during peak travel times - Congestion occurs during change of classes. You'll find the bike paths enjoyably empty during class time.

Bike Operation

Bicycling on sidewalks is prohibited on the University campus except in those few areas where no parallel roadway or bike path exists. Bicycles at UCI may not be operated on any landscaped areas, pedestrian corridor, pedestrian ramp, or anywhere signs are posted prohibiting bike riding.

Bicyclists must obey all posted speed limits. Additionally, no cyclist may travel at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions. At the University, the speed limit in the campus core area and all other bike paths is 15mph and in the parking lots is 10mph.

Operating a bike while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is punishable by fines, jail time and/or loss of driving privileges.

It is also illegal for two persons to ride on a bike meant for one or to have earphones covering both ears while cycling.

Click here to visit the full list of official university policies and procedures regarding bicycling.