Bike Permits, Operation, and Safety

Registration of Bicycles

• All bikes parked on campus need a bike permit.
• The permit is valid for the life of the bike on campus.
• Please use this form to register your bike.
• The bicycle permit must be picked up at the Campus Safety Office and should be placed on the vertical post below the seat.
• You must have the manufacturer's serial number to register your bike. These numbers are used by police across the nation. The best chance at recovering a stolen bicycle is having a registered serial number.  See the diagram for five most common serial number locations. The majority of serial numbers are located under the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks meet. 

Operating/Parking

• Bicycles may not be parked in buildings, unless the building has a designated bike storage room.
• Bicycles must come to a stop at all stop signs.
• Bicycles must travel with the directional flow of traffic on campus roadways.
• Bicycles must yield to pedestrians.
• Bicycles secured to anything other than a bike rack are considered improperly parked.

Impounded Bicycles

• Bikes without a permit will be impounded.
• Any bicycle considered abandoned or improperly parked or stored may be impounded at the owner’s expense. Bikes that may be considered abandoned are ones that have been left in bike racks or other areas for extensive periods of time without evidence of use. Bikes may not be left in bike racks over the summer break unless you are residing or working on campus. The college is not responsible for any incidental damages that may occur to bicycles or locks during the impoundment process.
• If a registered bicycle is impounded, the owner will be notified to pick up the bicycle. To gain release of any bicycle that has been impounded, the owner must pay a fee of $10.00 to cover the cost of impoundment and can be picked up at the Campus Safety Office office during business hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm.
• Impounded bikes without permit stickers must also be registered prior to release. First time offenders will receive a verbal warning.
• Impounded bicycles will be stored for a period not to exceed 90 days. After 90 days all unclaimed bicycles will put in the annual bike auction.
• If a bike is locked and does not have a permit, Campus Safety will place a U-lock on the bike until a bike permit is attained. The bike will be confiscated if a permit is not obtained with 7 days.

 

Bicycle Safety

• You should wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Your bicycle should have proper reflectors and lighting when riding at night.
• Keep your bicycle in good mechanical condition and the tires properly inflated. Air pumps are available at the Campus Safety Office.Always lock your bicycle to the bike rack using a high quality U-lock.
• Report any bike theft that occurs on campus to the Campus Safety Department and to the Grand Rapids police department. Report any bike theft that occurs off campus to the police department.