We have seen a tremendous increase in bike use on campus and the university is working to make the campus as friendly to bicycles as possible. Not only are bicycles a healthy alternative to a car, but they also help alleviate traffic and parking on campus. Below are various rules for bicycle use on campus. 1. Cyclists should use extreme caution and slow down or walk their bicycles when interacting with pedestrians such as when using sidewalks to access bike racks. 2. Pedestrian crosswalks are not for bicycles. Automobiles are not required by law nor equipped with the reaction time to stop for bikes shooting across crosswalks. Bicyclists wishing to use crosswalks should walk their bike through the crosswalk as a pedestrian. 3. Bicycles using campus roadways operate with the same rules as automobiles. 4. Bicyclists are strongly encouraged to wear safety equipment (including helmets) as well as properly maintain the mechanical aspects of their bike for the safest riding experience possible. 5. Bike Rack use on campus is mandatory. We are asking all bike riders to assist the university by not locking bikes in such a way that they block sidewalks or handicap access to buildings. Furthermore, we ask bike riders to refrain from locking bikes to campus trees or foliage, light poles or other freestanding posts or railings or any other freestanding structures (except bike racks). Keep in mind we have a large population of students with disabilities who require accessible pathways and specific access to buildings and we are required by law to protect this access. 6. Bikes locked or left anywhere else besides a bike rack are subject to the lock being cut and the bike impounded by University Police. The owner is also subject to a fine as outlined in OP 95.501: Policies for Traffic and Parking Rules and Regulations for the Campus and Streets of Mississippi State University. We thank you for partnering with us to help keep our campus safe and accessible to our students. If you have questions or comments about this email or the university bicycle policy, please stop by room 112 Lee Hall and I would be happy to discuss these issues with you. Thomas Bourgeois Dean of Students
