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Home >> Alternative Transportation >> Bicycles

Bicycles

  1. Bicycles
    1. Basics
    2. Bike Lockers
    3. Bike Racks
    4. Safe Cycling Checklist
    5. Additional Information

Basics

Biking has all the health and environmental benefits of walking, with the added plus that you get where you're going a lot faster. Try biking to work once or twice this week, and see how convenient it is. You'll be getting exercise and saving money at the same time.

  • If you have a quick-release front wheel you will want to lock the wheel to the bike rack along with your frame.
  • If you ride at night you are required to have a headlight.
  • You should register your bike with the city. You can do this at City Hall or at most Ann Arbor bike shops. There are two benefits to this: More bicycles registered gives riders a stronger argument when they want paths maintained, racks provided, etc. and it can help the police recover your bike should it be stolen.

Bike Lockers

We know you didn't come to Michigan for the weather. But you can still take advantage of riding your bicycle in all seasons by using a bike locker.

Bike lockers are a safe and easy solution for storing your bike throughout the year. Lockers can be found at spots around UMHS and at Wolverine Tower. The lockers are available for lease at a nominal fee plus a $20 refundable key deposit. To request a bike locker, contact the Alternative Transportation Coordinator at (734) 764-1100.

Bike Racks

Bike racks can be found outside nearly every building on campus, which gives you the added benefit of parking very close to your destination. You can find bike rack locations for each part of campus below:

Please lock your bicycle to the bike racks ONLY. Bikes will be tagged and removed if found locked to anything except a bike rack. To claim an abandoned bike, contact DPS at (734) 763-1131.

Please note: Bike racks in front of campus buildings are intended for short-term use and not long-term storage. See "Bike Lockers," above, for information on storing your bike for longer periods of time.

Safe Cycling Checklist

  • Be visible: wear bright clothing, use headlights and taillights at night, and ride where motorists can see you.
  • Be predictable: You have the same legal rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on the road, and you will be safest if you behave in the same way as other road users, rather than trying to make up your own rules.
  • Ride on the right: If you ride against the flow of traffic, then cars crossing your path will be looking in the opposite direction and will not see you.
  • Ride at least 3 feet from parked cars: Otherwise, you risk a nasty crash if a car door opens suddenly in front of you.
  • Ride through intersections as you would in a car: Running stop signs or making left turns from the right edge of the road are dangerous AND illegal.
  • Wear a helmet that fits.
  • Avoid using sidewalks: Cars crossing your path at intersections and driveways do not expect fast traffic on the sidewalk. If you must ride on the sidewalk, do so very slowly, and yield right-of-way to pedestrians.
  • Study and practice safe cycling techniques: Think about how much practice it took you to learn to drive a car in traffic with confidence, and make a similar commitment to learning to cycle in traffic. John Allen's manual, Bicycling Street Smarts (external link) or the "What Every Michigan Bicyclist Must Know" guide (external link) are good starting points.

Additional Information

For additional information, be sure to check out the getDowntown website (external link).