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Bicycle Basics

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Rules and Regulations

Listed below are laws and regulations pertaining to bicycle safety. Breaking these regulations can result in a citation, bike impoundment, and/or a fine. The Campus Police Department is committed to providing a safe learning and living environment for all members of the campus community. For this reason, Campus Police Officers selectively enforce violations of the following regulations pertaining to public safety. For more information on laws and regulations, call 893-2433.

Pedestrians must:

• walk only on sidewalks, not on bike paths


• yield to bicycles when crossing bike paths

Skateboarders, roller bladers, and roller skaters must:

• skate only on sidewalks, not on bike paths


• yield to pedestrians


• yield to bicycles when crossing bike paths


• skate on campus for transportation only (no stunt skating or boarding is allowed)

Bicyclists must:

• ride only on bike paths


• walk bikes on all sidewalks


• obey vehicle laws


• stop at stop signs


• not carry passengers on parts of a bicycle not designed for riding (e.g., handlebars)


• not ride on any four lane divided highway or roadway


• use hand signals when turning


• travel at safe speeds


• use a bike light at night


• park only in bicycle parking lots and lock bikes only in bike racks


• never block emergency or handicapped access areas with a bike


• never ride a bike while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs


• ride on campus for transportation only (no stunt biking is allowed)

Biking Under the Influence (BUI)

It is against the law for any person who is under the influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, or under the combined influence of any alcoholic beverage or drug, to ride a bicycle. For a first offense without additional circumstances (injury, etc.), the bail is $405.

Community Service Organization (CSO)

"Please walk your bike on the sidewalk... Thank you!" Don't be surprised when you hear this polite, but serious request for compliance with bike safety regulations on campus. The Community Service Organization consists of a group of students who work with the Campus Police to serve the safety and security needs of UCSB students. CSOs provide an around-the-clock escort service and security patrols of university-owned residence halls. The escort service can be reached by calling 893-2000 or by picking up any red emergency phone on campus. In addition, CSOs are on duty daily to educate students about bike regulations in an effort to decrease the number of accidents that occur each year. CSOs can be identified by their bright yellow shirts and the radios they carry that keep them in direct contact with the police. They are responsible for bike registration, bike safety education, and enforcement of campus rules and regulations related to bikes and bicycle riding. CSOs can issue warnings and impound bikes that are illegally parked. They also help to recover stolen bicycles by searching the bike racks for registered bikes that have been reported missing.

Bike Theft

Bike theft is a growing concern in the UCSB community with hundreds of bikes reported stolen each year. Registering your bike and locking it effectively are the major deterrents to theft. Registered bikes that have been stolen from the campus community have a recovery rate of over 30%, largely due to the fact that CSOs spend time searching the bike racks on campus for stolen bikes. When you lock your bike, be sure that the frame and both wheels are locked securely to a bike rack. CSO recommends a high-quality U-shaped shackle lock. If you lock only the tire, that's what you'll be left with; if you lock the bike to itself, you'll be left with nothing. If you lose the key to or forget the combination to your bike lock, CSOs have equipment to cut some bicycle locks (CSOs are not authorized to cut U-locks).

Bicycle Registration

Any bicycle operated on campus must be registered with a California State Bicycle License. This can be done at the University Police Department through CSO, or at the beginning of each fall quarter during Discovery Days near Storke Tower. The fee is six dollars and registration is valid for a period of up to three years expiring on December 31 of the third year. Registering your bike will deter theft as well as increase your chances of recovering your bicycle if it should be stolen. Registration also provides proof of ownership, which is important if someone else should try to claim your bike as his or her own. Call 893-2433 for bike registration information.