SCampus Student Guidebook

University Governance

Bicycle Policy

The bicycle is a convenient and popular form of transportation at USC. Thousands of riders may be seen on campus on any given day; most are students, but faculty and staff also use bicycles for traversing campus. In view of the number of bicyclists, it is paramount that each rider act in a responsible manner to avoid injury. To maintain a safe environment for pedestrians and bicyclists, the following bicycle policy and related operational guidelines have been developed for all riders.

The success of this program (i.e., the safety of campus users) requires that those individuals who ride bicycles exercise sound judgment and courtesy at all times while operating and parking their bicycles.

All applicable sections of the California Motor Vehicle Code pertaining to bicycle use are to be observed on the properties of the University of Southern California. Any person operating a bicycle on USC property implicitly accepts responsibility for adherence to all state and local laws governing bicycle operation, as well as this bicycle policy. California bicycle laws and bicycle safety tips can be found on the California Highway Patrol’s Web site (www.chp.ca.gov/html/bicycleriding.html).

I. Licensing/Registration

1. Bicycles must be licensed and registered. The City of Los Angeles Municipal Code requires that every bicycle operated within the jurisdiction of the city be licensed. Should your licensed bicycle be stolen and retrieved on or near campus or anywhere in the state, it could be traced back to you for recovery. The licensing fee is $3 and is valid for three years, from each January 1. Licenses may be obtained at the Department of Public Safety (DPS) office in Parking Structure A from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

2. Upon change of ownership or destruction of the licensed bicycle, it is the responsibility of the owner to notify DPS in writing. A license is transferable when a bicycle is sold.

3. The owner’s name, permanent address, school address, email address, bicycle description, serial number and license number will be recorded by DPS when you license your bicycle. If a serial number cannot be found on the frame, a new one will be stamped onto the bicycle. This new serial number will be the same as the license number.

4. Valid California Bicycle Licenses obtained from other agencies will be accepted by DPS. However, it is recommended that owners register their bicycles with DPS to assure that current information is available in the event of a theft or an impound. There is no charge for this informational registration.

5. It is unlawful for any person to tamper with, destroy, mutilate or alter any license, indicia, registration tag or serial number on a bicycle.

II. Parking Regulations

1. Bicycles may be parked only in those areas which have been specifically designated for this purpose. A bicycle parking area is indicated by the presence of bicycle racks. All bicycles must be parked in bicycle racks.

2. Bicycles may not be parked in a way which would block or impede the access to a building entrance or exit. Bicycles may not be left within six feet of an entrance or exit unless the area is designated for bicycle parking by racks. Additionally, no bicycle may be parked in any entrance, exit or access ramp to any building on campus.

3. Bicycles may not be parked in a manner which would impede the normal access to ramps designated for wheelchair or handicapped access to facilities.

4. Bicycles may not be parked or left on any lawn or landscaped area except those which have been designated for permit parking by racks.

5. Bicycles may not be chained or attachedto shrubbery, trees, plants, guide rails, posts, doors, lamps, telephone poles or other objects which are not designated for the purpose of securing bicycles.6. Bicycles may not be parked or left standing in any lobby, hallway or room of any building. This regulation does not include any area or room which has been assigned as that person’s office or place of residence, e.g., a residence hall room.

III. Parking Regulation Enforcement

1. A public safety officer or other individual specifically authorized by DPS may issue a citation, relocate or impound a bicycle which:

1. is in violation of any regulation stated in Section I and II; or
2. appears to have been abandoned; or
3. has been reported stolen by its owner.

2. DPS may remove the securing mechanism of the bicycle by whatever means are necessary for the purpose of impounding a bicycle. The public safety officer is authorized to remove the device and impound the bicycle in this manner, and the university shall not be liable to the owner of the securing device or of the bicycle for the cost of repair or replacement of such securing device.

3. Any bicycle which has been impounded will be secured at its location or in the impound area of DPS. Persons retrieving an impounded bicycle will be required to show proof of ownership (with complete description: manufacturer, model, color, size and serial numbers) and his/her picture identification (student ID or appropriate state driver’s license).

IV. Bicycle Operation

1. Bicycles must be walked from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, on Trousdale Parkway from the north end of Bovard, including the walkway immediately adjacent to the front of the building to the north end of the Topping Student Center, and on Childs Way from the water fountain to the west end of the TrojanBookstores. At all other times and locations, the following regulations apply:

2. Bicycles may not be operated at a speed which exceeds the university speed limit for vehicles (15 miles per hour on streetsand 5 miles per hour on Trousdale Parkway and Childs Way malls).

3. Bicycles may be operated on the streets and malls on campus; however, bicycles are only to be walked on sidewalks.

4. Bicycles must always yield to pedestrians anywhere on the malls or in crosswalks.

5. When operating a bicycle, bicyclists must remain to the far right of the street or paved area.

Fine Structure

Violators receiving a citation or who have had their bicycle impounded will incur the following fines:

• The cost of a citation is $10 for each instance. A hold on all transcripts and records will be in effect until the payment is received. Students who have been cited three or more times will be referred to Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for disciplinary action.
• The impound fee is $20 for each occurrence. A bicycle will not be released until after the payment is made and ownership is established. If an owner is unable to pay the fine, he or she must sign a promissory note in order to retrieve his/her bicycle. If the owner doe not return with thefine within three days, the note will be delivered to Student Judicial Affairs and Community Standards for further disciplinary action.
• The impound fee for bicycles locked to a wheelchair ramp or handicapped access is $75.
• Bicycles not claimed in 30 days will be presumed to be abandoned and will be sold or donated to charity. All money generated from fines will be used in the university’s Trojan Student Officer Program.

Cautionary Note

Bicyclists are urged to be very cautious when riding on campus. Accidental collisions may seriously injure pedestrians or other bicyclists. A bicyclist who strikes anyone is liable for all medical expenses of that victim and any damage done to the victim’s property.

A bicycle operator who strikes a pedestrian or other bicyclist and does not stop to inquire whether any harm or damage has been done, has committed the crime of “hit and run” (Calif. Motor Vehicle Code, Section 20001). This could result in the arrest and prosecution of the bicycle operator. Such an offense carries a ONE YEAR sentence in jail or state prison or a fine of $10,000 or BOTH. The statute of limitations for this offense is seven years.

Riding a bicycle on campus grounds is enjoyable and is good exercise. However, it also carries with it the necessity of operating a bicycle responsibly. Please ride your bicycle carefully and with all due consideration for the rights of other bicyclists and pedestrians.

If you operate a bicycle, you are also urged to review your homeowner and automobile insurance policies, or other personal liability coverage to be sure you, and your family if you are a dependent, are protected.

Revised March, 2007.