New bike policy regulates indoor parking, encourages registration

Written by 

bike 2 streamProper safety equipment should be in use at all times, including helmets and nighttime lighting/reflectors. The use of headphones/earphones or cell phones while operating a bicycle is not permitted.Employees or students who work in non-patient care buildings now may park their bicycles in private offices, according to UAB’s policy on bicycle and other wheeled mobility devices, which was updated in June. Employees or students who work in buildings that offer patient care (i.e., hospital or clinics) are prohibited from transporting bicycles through or storing them within the building.

That is one of several changes in policy and enforcement that riders can expect to see implemented this fall to protect bike owners and promote campus safety.

“It’s a dual-purpose policy,” said Julie Price, manager of UAB Sustainability, which partnered with representatives from UAB Medicine, Parking and Transportation, UAB Police, Occupational Health and Safety, UAB Facilities and employees who are bike commuters, to update the policy. “We want to support biking on campus because it’s great for your health and reduces parking pressure on campus, but at the same time we want to ensure people are biking safely.”

Bike owners who work in buildings that offer patient care or don’t have private offices can park their bicycles in one of hundreds of bike racks on campus, but they may not chain bikes to unauthorized areas such as railings, entryways or light poles. Bikes parked in violation of the policy will begin receiving warning tickets from Parking and Transportation beginning in the fall semester. Cyclists who do not comply with this rule will have their bike impounded beginning in spring 2018.

“We want to support biking on campus because it’s great for your health, saves money and reduces parking pressure on campus, but... we want to ensure people are biking safely.”

Parking and Transportation also is encouraging cyclists to voluntarily register their bikes with the department. This can help authorities locate and return stolen bikes or identify owners of ones that are impounded. Students who register their bikes will receive a free helmet and U-lock.

“Increased bicycle use at UAB is a key element of our overall parking and transit plan, as it helps free up parking spaces, connects our transit stops and leads to fewer short car trips around campus,” said Chris Clifford, associate vice president for Business and Auxiliary Services. “I’m really excited about the new bike policy and how it will help lead to more biking at UAB.”

Did you know you can get paid to commute by bike in Birmingham?

Requests for new bike parking infrastructure should be directed to sustainability@uab.edu.

  • UAB This Week: Aug. 10

    This week is all about progress: Opening of the new UAB Police headquarters, mixing personal medicine and politics and revealing the beauty of Collat's "Steps to Success." See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 2944 views
  • UAB This Week: Aug. 3

    This week, UAB is on the move. Teens tackle dangerous driving habits in a simulator, a new Blazer-themed locomotive takes to the tracks and summer graduates prepare to launch Aug. 10-11. See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 3102 views
  • UAB This Week; July 27

    This week is all about making strides. The UAB Kidney Chain passed 100 transplants. Students showcased their work in the summer EXPO. And football fans got a peek inside the upcoming season. See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 2701 views
  • UAB This Week: July 20

    This week, high school students learn how to be cyber detectives, WBRC FOX6 pays it forward to an artist-in-residence on campus and two online degrees earn honors. See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 2784 views
  • UAB This Week: July 13

    This week, a common blood pressure drug is revealed to be an effective therapy for Type I diabetes, a team from NSF is helping faculty and staff better understand how to commercialize their technology and work on the new intramural fields is nearly complete. See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 2949 views
  • UAB This Week

    This week is all about getting our hands on the missing As, Bs and Os, getting a handle on the heat and putting our hands together for a great season of performances to come at the Alys Stephens Center. See it online. All in one video.

    posted a while back 3073 views
  • UAB THIS WEEK: June 8

    This week is all about being being young and highly accomplished, working together to deliver on the promise of tomorrow and making fun and fitness attractive.

    posted a while back 2943 views
  • UAB This Week: June 1

    This week, docs and vets team up to test therapies that could benefit mankind — and its best friends. The police chief tries his hand at demolition derby, and the city's food trucks are ready for their close-up on the Food Network. Learn more all in one video. Catch up in about a minute.

    posted a while back 3158 views
  • UAB This Week: May 25
    UAB Medicine's robotic surgery program — a national leader — celebrates a milestone 10,000 procedures an UAB Hospital earns accolades for its commitment to providing an outstanding patient experience. Better still, a lung transplant gives a teen the chance to graduate high school and live a more normal life.
    posted a while back 3010 views
  • UAB This Week: May 18

    This week is all about working together — to combat a physician shortage, accelerate medical breakthroughs and promote college readiness. Learn more all in one video. Catch up in about a minute.

    posted a while back 3068 views