bicycle safety committee – recommendations

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Bicycle Safety Recommendations Preliminary Draft as of 15 April 2009, of 54 as presented to Kevin Kirby, VP Administration

Report of the Bicycle Safety Committee

Submitted: March 30, 2009

Prepared by the Rice Bicycle Safety Committee

Website: http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice/

http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice/


Summary The Bicycle Safety Committee (the “Committee”) was convened by the Vice President of Administration to draft recommendations for a new/updated bicycle safety policy for Rice University. The Committee consists of students, faculty, and staff (see Appendix 1). Drafting safety recommendations has been a challenging task because of the divergent concerns of cyclists and pedestrians. These conflicting sentiments were reflected in a campus survey conducted in February 2009 (see Appendix 2). Starting in August 2008, the Committee initially focused on education by implementing the “Bell or Yell” campaign and distributing safety brochures. The response from the survey indicated that a more formal and rigorous approach would be required to safely accommodate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. After much thought and discussion, we offer the following recommendations to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety on campus: 1. Address the issue of mixing bicycle and pedestrian traffic on sidewalks. We consider two distinct approaches to this complex matter: (a) designate and mark specific campus sidewalks as shared bicycle/pedestrian paths; or (b) encourage cyclists to ride on streets instead of sidewalks by making the campus streets more bicycle-friendly. 2. Promote bicycle safety through education: (a) “Bell or Yell” campaign and (b) safety information presented during O-week and (c) requiring bicycle registrants to acknowledge they have read and understood the bicycle policy. 3. Improve safety for bicycle commuters. For example, work with the City of Houston to provide a safer crossing of Rice Boulevard for commuters from the Rice Graduate Apartments. 4. Prohibit motor vehicles on the bike track. However, allow the bike track to be closed for football games and other special events. 5. Enforce bicycle regulations.

High priority: cyclist not lawfully yielding the right-of-way at an intersection cyclist riding through a covered walkway Low priority: cyclist riding slowly and cautiously on a sidewalk cyclist making a rolling stop at an empty intersection

6. Make bicycle registration mandatory. Bicycle registration will be linked with education and law enforcement. 7. Establish an effective and fair policy to remove abandoned bicycles on campus. 8. Make the campus more bicycle-friendly by improving bicycle amenities. Establish sheltered bicycle parking, a bicycle sharing program, a bicycle repair shop on campus, and bicycle safety and maintenance classes.

Table of Contents Summary .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Current Rice bicycle regulations .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Policy Recommendations ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 1. Address the issue of mixing bicycle and pedestrian traffic on sidewalks. ...................................................................... 5

A. Prohibit bicycle riding through covered walkways. ................................................................................................... 5 B. ALTERNATIVE 1: Designate and mark specific campus sidewalks as shared bicycle/pedestrian paths. ................ 5 C. ALTERNATIVE 2: Encourage cyclists to ride on streets instead of sidewalks by making the campus streets more bicycle-friendly.................................................................................................................................................................... 6 D. Propose bike/cart/pedestrian path to the Biomedical Research Collaborative. .......................................................... 7 E. Conduct a study before making major campus alterations......................................................................................... 7

2. Promote bicycle safety through education. ..................................................................................................................... 7 A. “Bell or Yell” Campaign............................................................................................................................................ 7 B. Presentation during O-Week and Graduate Student Orientation................................................................................ 8 C. Policy acknowledgement to obtain bicycle registration............................................................................................. 9

3. Improve safety for bicycle commuters............................................................................................................................ 9 A. Rice Graduate Apartments on Bissonnet. .................................................................................................................. 9 B. Rice Village Apartments on Shakespeare. ............................................................................................................... 10 C. Bicycle commuter access to campus........................................................................................................................ 10 D. Other commuter issues............................................................................................................................................. 11

4. Prohibit motor vehicles on the bike track. .................................................................................................................... 11 5. Prioritize the enforcement of bicycle regulations. ........................................................................................................ 12 6. Make bicycle registration mandatory............................................................................................................................ 13

A. Eliminate voluntary bicycle registration. ................................................................................................................. 13 B. Mandatory registration should include a signed agreement. .................................................................................... 13 C. Proactive bicycle registration. .................................................................................................................................. 13 D. Registration for new students should begin during Orientation Week..................................................................... 13 E. All students, staff and faculty must register bicycles. .............................................................................................. 13 F. Unregistered bikes may receive warning tickets and can be confiscated................................................................. 13 G. Create a universal date of campus-wide bicycle removal. ....................................................................................... 13

7. Establish an effective and fair policy to remove abandoned bicycles on campus......................................................... 14 A. Abandoned bicycles. ................................................................................................................................................ 14 B. Bicycle auction for unclaimed/unwanted bicycles. .................................................................................................. 14 C. Assist cyclists who no longer want their bicycles to dispose of them...................................................................... 14 D. Student assistant....................................................................................................................................................... 15 E. Bicycle storage......................................................................................................................................................... 15

8. Make the campus more bicycle-friendly by improving bicycle amenities.................................................................... 15 A. Bicycle parking. ....................................................................................................................................................... 16 B. Bicycle sharing program. ......................................................................................................................................... 16 C. Bicycle repair shop................................................................................................................................................... 16 D. Bicycle safety and maintenance class. ..................................................................................................................... 17 E. Offer bicycles to incoming freshman and graduate students.................................................................................... 17

Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................................................. 18 Appendices............................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Appendix 1: Bicycle Safety Committee Members ............................................................................................................ 19 Appendix 2: Survey Results: Questions and Responses.................................................................................................... 20 Appendix 3: Campus Maps ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Appendix 4: “Bell or Yell” Pamphlet ................................................................................................................................ 30 Appendix 5: Bicycle Laws ................................................................................................................................................ 33 Appendix 6: Bicycle Sharing Program Draft Plan............................................................................................................. 36 Appendix 7: Bicycle Repair Shop Draft Plan.................................................................................................................... 52


Current Rice bicycle regulations (July 2008, Traffic and Parking Regulations)

• Bicycles may be registered by visiting the Rice Police Department. Motorcycles may be registered by visiting the Parking Office in the Central Campus Garage. The parking permit for either a bicycle or a motorcycle must be prominently displayed. There is no charge for registration or a permit for a bicycle. Riders are required to comply with motor vehicle traffic regulations, and must park their vehicles only in spaces appropriate for their type of vehicle.

• Bicycles must be parked only at bicycle racks and must not be chained to handicap ramps. Bicycles may not block pedestrian traffic nor be chained to stairwell rails or rails next to access ramps. Riding a bicycle on principal pedestrian sidewalks, through building walkways or other pedestrian paths is not permitted, except where indicated on the bike/cart route map. Riders are expected to dismount when using pedestrian-only walkways. The only exceptions are some walkways that are shared by University electric carts, bicycles, and pedestrians. In all cases, pedestrians have the right-of-way. Violators may receive citations or have their bicycle booted or removed by the Police. Damaged locks will not be the responsibility of the University. Rice University Police Department bike patrol officers are exempt from these limitations when performing their duties.

• Traffic/Parking regulations apply to all motor vehicles and bicycles operated on the Rice University campus. Drivers, riders and operators of all vehicles, bicycles and other forms of transportation (including skates and skateboards) are required to comply with automobile traffic regulations. The regulations are available 24/7 on the Parking website, and are updated as changes occur. Occasionally, special short-term conditions arise that may call for changing or suspending a part of these regulations without prior notification.

• Drivers, riders and operators of all vehicles, bicycles and other forms of transportation (including skates and skateboards) are required to comply with the one-way traffic pattern.

• The person registering the vehicle is responsible for all parking citations against the motor vehicle or bicycle regardless of the operator.

____________________________________________________________________ We recommend only two significant modifications of these regulations:

a) Make bicycle registration mandatory (Recommendation 6). b) Strengthen the prohibition against riding a bicycle through building walkways

(Recommendation 1A). Terminology conventions: The terms “sidewalk” and “walkway” are used interchangeably according to the context. We call bicyclists “cyclists” and describe bicycling as “cycling”.


Policy Recommendations

1. Address the issue of mixing bicycle and pedestrian traffic on sidewalks. This has been our most difficult issue. Although we agree about prohibiting cycling on covered walkways (section A), about half the Committee favors allowing cycling on most sidewalks, the other half wanting to discourage or prohibit cycling on sidewalks. The sentiments among Committee members roughly parallel those of the survey results, which showed staff generally against and students generally for cycling on sidewalks. Given this dichotomy of opinion, we offer two distinct approaches (alternatives 1 and 2, sections B and C) to bicycle mobility on campus. The proposed path to the Biomedical Research Collaborative is discussed separately (section D). Some of these proposals will not be trivial to implement and deserve a thorough study (section E).

A. Prohibit bicycle riding through covered walkways. The Committee unanimously agrees that bicycle riding should be prohibited on covered walkways, arcades, and cloisters. Most survey respondents agreed. These sidewalks present particularly serious pedestrian-bicycle conflicts. For example, many building doors open directly onto covered walkways, and most archways are adjacent to blind intersections where a perpendicular sidewalk crosses. The current regulations do not permit riding a bicycle through “building walkways”. The Committee recommends strengthening the bicycle regulations to “not permit riding a bicycle through covered walkways, arcades, cloisters, and other building walkways.” Recommendation 5 encourages RUPD to target the enforcement of this prohibition.

B. ALTERNATIVE 1: Designate and mark specific campus sidewalks as shared bicycle/pedestrian paths. The inner loop is not very bicycle-friendly because of traffic congestion during the day and speeding motorists during non-peak hours. On-street parking forces cyclists to move repeatedly into the left lane to pass parked cars. Many students ride bicycles between classes, and sidewalks usually provide the shortest and most direct route. For example, would anyone cycling from Keck to Duncan ride all the way around the loop road rather than take the shortcut on the sidewalk? Rather than require cyclists to use the streets, many Committee members would prefer to channel cyclists onto a few specific sidewalks that would be designated as shared bicycle/pedestrian paths. One such plan, shown on Appendix 3 - Map 1, involves the following sidewalk designations: • Require cyclists to ride on the inner loop road in the direction of traffic. For cycling in the

opposite direction, designate the inside sidewalk of the inner loop as a shared


bicycle/pedestrian path. Designate the outside sidewalk along the inner loop as a pedestrian-only sidewalk.

• Designate one of the two north/south sidewalks through the center of the academic quad as a shared bicycle/pedestrian path.

• Except for these shared paths, prohibit cycling on all sidewalks inside the inner loop from Alice Pratt Brown Hall to Lovett Hall.

• Designate exclusive bicycle pathways in either direction along the new roadway connecting the north colleges with the inner loop.

This approach focuses on “changing the culture” by fostering safer cyclist behavior through education, the bell-or-yell campaign, and RUPD enforcement. Although cyclists would be permitted on shared paths, pedestrians on the paths would still have the right-of-way, as would pedestrians on intersecting paths.

C. ALTERNATIVE 2: Encourage cyclists to ride on streets instead of sidewalks by making the campus streets more bicycle-friendly. Most cyclists at Rice currently prefer to ride on sidewalks. Inevitably, this practice leads to bicycle/pedestrian conflicts and particularly endangers pedestrians who are elderly or visually impaired. Also at risk are runners, who, in darting left or right to pass walkers, could step suddenly into the path of a cyclist. Many Committee members feel that Rice, like many other universities, should strongly encourage cyclists to use the streets rather than sidewalks. However, as noted in section 1b, the inner loop and other campus streets are not very bicycle-friendly. Rather than attempting to accommodate cyclists on sidewalks (section 1b), we propose here an alternative approach that would make the campus streets more bicycle-friendly and thereby encourage cyclists to ride in the streets. As indicated on Appendix 3 - Map 2, the Rice campus has a dense street system that would offer a practical on-street bicycle commute for most short trips if all streets were two-way, at least for bicycles. We suggest strategies for making the campus streets more bicycle-friendly: • Reduce the campus speed limit from 20 mph to 15 mph, at least for the central campus. A

15 mph speed limit is common at other universities. Rice had a 15 mph speed limit until about a decade ago.

• EITHER: Eliminate short-term parking on the loop road and stripe a contra-flow bicycle lane in a clockwise direction around the loop. Some additional automobile parking spaces, such as those in front of Allen Center, might be constructed to allow passenger drop-off and non-commercial deliveries.

• OR: Close the loop road between Alumni Drive and Founders Court to general motor vehicle traffic. Two-way traffic would be allowed for bicycles, electric carts, commercial deliveries, emergency vehicles, buses, and vehicles having a special permit. It is impractical to restrict traffic west of Alumni Drive because of the central campus parking


garage and Tudor Field House. This section of the loop might be made two-way, as described in the first strategy above.

These suggestions require at the most limited road construction, but would involve significant campus alterations, as well as changes in how the community views campus mobility. As noted in section (1e), any such changes deserve thorough deliberation and study. Although this approach strongly encourages cyclists to use the streets rather than sidewalks, we recognize that students may collectively wish to allow cycling on sidewalks in the college areas. Some of these sidewalks are already marked on the bike/cart route map.

D. Propose bike/cart/pedestrian path to the Biomedical Research Collaborative. This path is being designed from scratch and will probably be 10 feet wide. A rough trajectory of the path from Wiess College to the corner of University and Main is shown as a red line on Appendix 3 - Map 2. The Committee recommends that the path to be built with separate lanes for bicycles/carts and pedestrians. For the southern half of the path, pedestrians could use the crushed granite jogging path along Main Street.

E. Conduct a study before making major campus alterations. Significant campus alterations would be required for some of our proposals, particularly the suggestion to make the campus streets more bicycle-friendly. For example, restricting traffic on campus streets is no trivial matter. What would be the implications for shuttle buses, disabled people, deliveries, construction workers, emergency vehicles, and electric carts? How would access be controlled? The committee recommends that FE&P conduct a formal study to examine the implications of closing the loop to general motor vehicle traffic. This study might also address the feasibility of eliminating short-term parking to make space for a contra-flow bicycle lane (an alternative to closing the loop).

2. Promote bicycle safety through education.

A. “Bell or Yell” Campaign In the fall of 2008, the bicycle safety Committee began a “Bell or Yell” campaign. This effort was to emphasize the importance of cyclists to notify pedestrians that they are approaching them, while not startling them. The campaign urged cyclists to alert pedestrians that they are near by saying, “Excuse me”, “On your left”, or “Behind you”, or use a bicycle bell - all within a reasonable amount of time. The goal of this on-going campaign is to educate both cyclists and pedestrians of this practice and to encourage courteous behavior. Cyclists can get a free Rice bicycle bell when they register their bicycle. The campaign consisted of four components:


• Bicycle safety brochure – this colorful brochure was designed to offer bicycle safety guidelines to promote a safe community for cyclists and pedestrians to co-exist. The guidelines included suggestions for riding responsibly, watching out for pedestrians, alerting pedestrians of oncoming approach, courteous riding, bicycle parking and traffic safety. The brochure was distributed at O-week, the transportation fair and during bicycle registration. (See Appendix 4 for a copy of the brochure.)

• O-week presentation by RUPD – this presentation was an overview of the bicycle safety brochure and current policy.

• Push for increased bicycle registration – during O-week and through booths set-up in the RMC, students were encouraged to register their bicycles and were given a bicycle bell as an incentive to participate in the “bell or yell” effort.

• Website launch – the website, http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice, was created to provide a convenient place for the Rice community to learn about the bicycle safety guidelines, as well as a venue to host the bicycle safety survey.

The Committee recommends that the “Bell or Yell” campaign continue on annually with an emphasis on the new bicycle policy, along with general safety guidelines. Some additions to the campaign may include, and are not limited to:

• Responsibility poster – a poster designed to outline the responsibilities of both cyclists and pedestrians on campus. This poster would be placed as a permanent fixture in appropriate common areas throughout the campus.

• Updated bicycle safety brochure – the current bicycle safety brochure would be updated to include aspects of the new bicycle policy and enforceable rules, along with some additional safety suggestions highlighted, such as the use of helmets.

• Registration booths – booths set-up periodically to offer a convenient place for bicycle registration, as well as promotion of bicycle safety.

• Increased visibility – participation in appropriate social gatherings or fairs to increase awareness of the bicycle policy and safety guidelines.

• Bikes at Rice website – the website will be updated to include the new Rice bicycle policy, links to city and state bicycle traffic laws, detailed instructions on bicycle registration, parking and sidewalk maps, and other bicycle related resources.

• Periodic email blasts – two to four times a year an email reminder about bicycle policies and registration to be sent out to all students, staff and faculty.

B. Presentation during O-Week and Graduate Student Orientation The Committee recommends that the RUPD continue to give a brief presentation at each residential college during O-Week and also during Graduate Student Orientation. The presentation should highlight the bicycle policy and all enforceable rules. During this mandatory orientation, the RUPD should inform students about bicycle routes on campus, as well as their responsibilities to foster a safe environment for both bicycle riders and pedestrians. Lastly, the bicycle registration process should be explained and the different options on how to register a bicycle efficiently and according to policy should be illustrated.


http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice

C. Policy acknowledgement to obtain bicycle registration The Committee recommends that a “read and acknowledged” form be signed by all bicycle registrants before their bicycle registration is processed. The form would clearly state the new bicycle policy and any enforceable rules and require the registrant to acknowledge that they have read and understand the bicycle policy and rules. The process and procedure for this is being investigated and may include one or more of the following:

• short video or slide show outlining the bicycle policy and rules be presented to the registrant and followed by a signed acknowledgement form which would need to be turned in to the designated officer before receiving the bicycle registration sticker;

• short quiz about the bicycle policy, which must be passed by a designated percentage for the registration to be processed;

• the policy recited to the registrant with a signed acknowledgement verifying their understanding of the policy;

• registration terminals set-up at RUPD for ease of data entry; and • data management for registration upgraded for efficiency.

All currently registered bicycle owners will have to re-register, so that policy acknowledgement forms may be obtained.

3. Improve safety for bicycle commuters. Rice has built several facilities beyond the campus perimeter, including graduate student apartments on Shakespeare and on Bissonnet. Rice has strongly encouraged tenants of the apartments on Shakespeare to commute by bicycle. We urge that Rice be proactive in assuring safe commuting routes for cyclists going to and from these off-campus locations.

A. Rice Graduate Apartments on Bissonnet. A major issue for bicycle and pedestrian commuters is crossing the intersection of Rice and Sunset Boulevards. This intersection has a stop sign only for eastbound traffic on Sunset. Other traffic which does not stop, is often heavy, and many motorists significantly exceed the 30 mph speed limit. Crossing this intersection at rush hour is challenging for cyclists and pedestrians, who often make a mad dash between speeding cars. There is no nearby traffic light or all-way stop as an alternative crossing. The Committee recommends that Rice partner with the City of Houston to redesign the Rice-Sunset intersection to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Options might include an all-way stop or a HAWK crosswalk stop light, as was installed last year on Greenbriar near Roberts Elementary School.

Having crossed Rice Boulevard, commuters still lack a suitable route to the center of campus. A road is being extended from Entrance 23 to Laboratory Road at Duncan Hall, but a portion of this new road will be one-way, with no adjacent sidewalk. Alternative routes for cyclists involve either riding on sidewalks or making a long detour via Alumni Drive. The Committee recommends that Rice provide a practical route for bicycle commuters from Entrance 23 to an eastern point on Laboratory Road.


B. Rice Village Apartments on Shakespeare. The obvious commute to Rice is to take Shakespeare/Dryden (already signed as a bicycle route), then left on Stockton to the traffic light at Entrance 8. However, crossing Greenbriar at Shakespeare during rush hour entails a long wait and then a mad dash across the street. Moreover, southbound motorists on Greenbriar are distracted by the merging of two lanes to one, and northbound motorists by the approach of the busy intersection at University. The City of Houston recognized the danger to pedestrians attempting to cross Greenbriar and installed a pedestrian-activated crosswalk stoplight a few blocks south of the Shakespeare intersection.

The eastbound commute down Shakespeare involves an unsigned merge with Dryden. This route is especially challenging during rush hour because of the multitasking cut-through drivers rushing down neighborhood streets to the medical center. At the Entrance 8 traffic signal, some motorists disregard cyclists’ lawful right of way to cross University Blvd. on a green light. For example, oncoming cars from campus (often cut-through drivers) sometimes turn left in front of cyclists. Also, westbound motorists on University Boulevard frequently turn right on red into campus without stopping or yielding. Thus, cyclists commuting from the Rice Village Apartments need to exercise special care during rush hour.

An alternative route from the Rice Village Apartments is to ride directly down University Boulevard. Although this street is busy, there is ample room for cyclists. For experienced cyclists, this may be a safer route during rush hour.

The Committee recommends that Rice work with bicycle commuters from the Rice Village Apartments to identify commuting hazards and to improve the safety of the route(s) to and from campus. The Southgate Civic Club would presumably also be interested in mitigating the cut-through traffic on Shakespeare/Dryden.

C. Bicycle commuter access to campus. The traffic light at Entrance 8 provides reasonably safe access to campus for bicycle commuters arriving from the south or southwest. However, campus access is problematical for commuters arriving from the north or northwest. In particular, crossing Rice Boulevard at Entrances 17, 18, 20, and 21 is often challenging for cyclists, pedestrians, and even motorists. As noted above, the heavy, speeding traffic on Rice Boulevard during rush hour makes it difficult to exit the campus. Crossing at the traffic light at Entrance 17 is an option for outbound commuters, but cyclists are then dumped onto a busy street (Shepherd or Rice B Boulevard). Additional concerns are metal plates in the roadway (slippery when wet) and runners on the outer loop path. The Committee recommends that Rice work with the City of Houston to establish a 4-way stop at Entrance 18 and/or Entrance 20. As a precedent, we note that 4-way stops were placed on Sunset at Ashby, Kent, and Hazard about two years ago.


D. Other commuter issues. Rice might also partner the City of Houston to establish better bicycle routes to campus. Years ago, Greenbriar had bicycle lanes from Holcombe to University, and University had bicycle lanes west of the Rice Village. Now bicycling in the Rice area is much more dangerous, and most students are afraid to bike to the Rice Village or to nearby supermarkets. We hope that Rice will strive to make the surrounding streets more bicycle-friendly but feel that this deep-seated issue is too ambitious to be included as a specific recommendation.

4. Prohibit motor vehicles on the bike track. The Committee recommends that the bike track be closed to all motorized vehicle parking on a permanent basis. Permitting parking within the track creates unsafe situations. This is evidenced by a recent accident where an undergraduate cyclist struck a car and was injured. To prevent these types of accidents, the track must be closed to motorized vehicles at all times. Restricting parking/biking to certain days or specific hours of the day is not a viable solution. These types of regulations are unclear to cyclists and drivers and are difficult to enforce by parking officials. In addition, it is quite easy for both motor vehicles and cyclists to enter or cross the track at restricted times, increasing the probability of a bicycle/motor-vehicle accident. The simplest solution is to close the bike track completely to either bicycles or parking. The Committee recommends the latter. Closing the bike track to parking supports the Committee’s recommendation of creating a more bicycle-friendly campus. The bike track provides an environment where bicycle enthusiasts at Rice and within the Houston community can bike long distances without concern for vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or potholes. The track is used for training by student beer bike teams and participants in the MS-150 (an organized bicycle ride from Houston to Austin) as well as for recreation by Houston residents. Considering that there is a shortage of bicycle tracks in the Houston area, the bike track should be kept open at all times for cyclists so that they have a place to bike with little risk of serious injury. Alternatively, there are other parking lots on Rice’s campus where vehicles can park. The Committee understands that with the construction of new buildings on campus comes the need for contractor parking. Vehicles parking within the track could easily be relocated to West parking lots, as was done during Beer Bike preparations this year. We feel that this is a better solution to parking space shortages in the Greenbriar Lot than opening the bike track to parking.

The Committee recognizes that the bike track may occasionally be closed to bicycles during football games and other special events.


5. Prioritize the enforcement of bicycle regulations. RUPD is tasked with the enforcement of institutional regulations, local, state and federal laws. For minor infraction of institutional regulations, such as the bicycle policy, officers exercise discretion in deciding whether to give a warning or write a ticket. This discretion is guided in part by problem-oriented policing, an established strategy that focuses on identifying and preventing problems of mutual concern to the police and the community. Identifying the problems to be targeted commonly involves input from the community. As input for problem-oriented policing at Rice, the Committee recommends problem areas to be targeted for enforcement. Our recommendations are based on extensive discussion within the Committee as well as on the results of our February 2009 bicycle survey (see Appendix 2). The following recommendations apply only to the current traffic situation on campus and are not intended to be permanent. The Committee recommends that RUPD give higher priority to the enforcement of the following hazardous violations of bicycle regulations and traffic laws: a) A cyclist in the street or on an adjacent sidewalk who disregards a stop sign and proceeds into an intersection without stopping and lawfully yielding the right-of-way to other vehicles and pedestrians. b) A cyclist who rides through a covered walkway, archway, or arcade. The Committee recommends that RUPD give lower priority to enforcing violations that are relatively benign: a) A cyclist who makes a rolling but incomplete stop at an intersection where no other vehicles or pedestrians are present. b) A cyclist who is riding slowly on a prohibited sidewalk where no pedestrians are present. Prioritized enforcement does not guarantee that a cyclist will not be ticketed for riding on a proscribed sidewalk or coasting through a stop sign. Moreover, a cyclist who hits a pedestrian on a sidewalk may be liable for his/her prohibited behavior. As community input, our enforcement recommendations are not designed for incorporation into the official policy of Rice or RUPD. At most, our input would represent one of many considerations involved in officer discretion. The four behaviors in our recommended priorities of enforcement are clearly defined, with little ambiguity of interpretation. We would also encourage RUPD to ticket cyclists who speed through clusters of pedestrians on sidewalks. Because establishing speed criteria and documenting the speed of a cyclist is difficult, this is necessarily a matter of officer discretion. In the future, RUPD might modify its targets for enforcement of bicycle regulations. For example, if campus streets become more bicycle-friendly, then cycling on a sidewalk adjacent to a street might become a high priority for enforcement. Any such new enforcement targets should be publicized to the Rice community.


6. Make bicycle registration mandatory.

A. Eliminate voluntary bicycle registration. Currently, the Rice University Police Department offers the R.I.D.E (Register IDentify Educate) program for students, faculty, and staff to voluntarily register their bicycles on campus. The online registration is available at http://cohesion.rice.edu//campusservices/rupd/bikeform.cfm

B. Mandatory registration should include a signed agreement. Please refer to section 2.C

C. Proactive bicycle registration. In order to prompt mandatory bicycle registration for all cyclists, the Committee recommends bicycle registration information and instructions be distributed through email blasts and promotional booths at the beginning of each fall semester and periodically throughout the school year.

D. Registration for new students should begin during Orientation Week. Please refer to section 2.B

E. All students, staff and faculty must register bicycles. If someone has already registered a bicycle in past years, he or she will be required to re-register the bicycles and review the new safety guidelines and bicycle policies.

F. Unregistered bikes may receive warning tickets and can be confiscated.

To enforce bicycle registration, bicycles that are not registered will be given a warning ticket. The ticket should state what it is required by the bicycle policy and include instructions on how to register the bicycle. Measures, such as confiscation, may be considered.

G. Create a universal date of campus-wide bicycle removal. To encourage bicyclists to register their bicycles, once a year RUPD will remove all unregistered bicycles from the bicycle racks. The date would be published. It is proposed that the date be half way through the school year.


http://cohesion.rice.edu//campusservices/rupd/bikeform.cfm

7. Establish an effective and fair policy to remove abandoned bicycles on campus. As the campus grows, so will the number of cyclists on campus. Abandoned bicycles take up valuable bicycle parking spaces and add to the problem of cyclists parking illegally throughout the campus. In addition they are an eyesore and present potential pedestrian tripping hazards, and encourage vandalism.

A. Abandoned bicycles. Bicycle parking racks should be regularly checked by RUPD or a student assistant (see 7.D) to identify bicycles which appear to be abandoned. Warning notices should be affixed to bicycles in advance of their confiscation. These notices should indicate the owner has at least 7 days to remove the bicycle or correct any deficiencies that make the bicycle appear to be abandoned.

If the abandoned bicycle is registered with RUPD, the owner of the bicycle should be identified and notified via email that the bicycle appears to be abandoned. It is the owner’s responsibility to notify the police if s/he intends to recover the bicycle. If the owner of the bicycle does not respond within 7 days, the bicycle will be confiscated.

After confiscation, RUPD should attempt to determine if the bicycle has been reported stolen anywhere in Texas. If the bicycle has been reported stolen, RUPD should attempt to contact the owner of the stolen bicycle relative to the location of the bicycle.

After a period to be determined (current practice is three months) RUPD, or the appropriate student organization at Rice, should hold an auction to sell bicycles (see section B below).

B. Bicycle auction for unclaimed/unwanted bicycles. Bicycle related programs such as a bicycle sharing program, bicycle repair shop, and maintenance classes (see section 8) at Rice could benefit from the proceeds of a bicycle auction. In addition, the auction would provide a way for students to buy inexpensive bicycles. In this program, unclaimed bicycles recovered by RUPD, with the possible help of a student organization, will be auctioned off to buyers after the three month waiting period (see above).

C. Assist cyclists who no longer want their bicycles to dispose of them.

Bicycle owners who no longer want their bicycles must remove them from campus. Many bicycles that are abandoned on campus are there because cyclists who no longer want their bicycles due to graduation or a change in circumstances do not know how to dispose of them. There is currently no program in place for disposing of unwanted bicycles. The Committee recommends that Rice develop a program to encourage cyclists to voluntarily turn in their bicycles to RUPD for recycling.


Cyclists no longer wanting their bicycles could bring their bicycles to RUPD. If this is done, RUPD should not have to wait the three months, and can have more options to recycle or reuse the bicycle, or place it in a bicycle auction.

Suggestions as to how bicycles in such a program could be disposed of include:

• Donate bicycle to a student organization for auction. • Registered bicycles can be turned in to RUPD in exchange for $15. To diminish the

possibility of taking advantage of this $15, there should be a waiting period of at least one month to make owners of registered bicycles eligible for the $15.

• If the bicycle is in reasonably good condition, consider donating the bicycle to a local thrift shop.

• Take the bicycle to Workshop Houston: http://www.workshophouston.org/, a local non-profit community bicycle shop located in the Third Ward area of Houston.

• Sell the bicycle on Craigslist (http://houston.craigslist.org/). • Take the bicycle to the local garbage dump (a fee will be issued). • Contact RUPD and let them know where your bicycle is on campus. Unlocking the

bicycle in advance of RUPD pick up is preferred.

D. Student assistant. We suggest that an undergraduate or graduate student be hired in a paid position to oversee the bicycle registration process and the process of monitoring abandoned bicycles. The student could run registration fairs at residential colleges (see section 6 “Make bicycle registration mandatory”), and work with RUPD to locate potentially abandoned bicycles, distribute warnings to abandoned bicycle owners, and help organize potential bicycle auctions to re-distribute bicycles to Rice community members.

E. Bicycle storage. Summer storage for students: Many students travel or go home for the summer. Although some residential colleges have storage for bicycles that are left temporarily behind until students return in the fall, many bicycles are left out in the elements during the summer. Providing storage facilities for students will contribute to a desirable goal of promoting a bicycle friendly campus environment.

8. Make the campus more bicycle-friendly by improving bicycle amenities. Although not bicycle safety issues per se, we felt that a number of bicycle related issues should be suggested. One very important reason for creating a more bicycle friendly campus is the signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment by Rice University’s president David Leebron1. We feel that the following five topics could create a very bicycle-friendly campus: bicycle parking, a bicycle sharing program, a bicycle repair shop on campus, bicycle safety and maintenance classes, and offering bicycles to incoming undergraduate and graduate students.

1. 1 http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=10145


http://www.workshophouston.org/

http://houston.craigslist.org/

http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=10145

A. Bicycle parking. When asked if there is adequate bicycle parking on campus, 22% of the respondents to the survey agreed that there is adequate bicycle parking on campus, while 40% of the respondents disagreed that the bicycle parking on campus is adequate (Appendix 2). Although removing abandoned bicycles will free up bicycle parking places, more new bicycles are coming to campus each year as enrollment grows. F&E needs to evaluate many bicycle parking locations. The Committee recommends that more bicycle parking convenient to buildings be added to the Rice University campus and the possibility for more covered bicycle parking be strongly explored. Indeed, the need for more bicycle parking is self-evident if one looks at often overflowing bicycle racks on campus. We believe that a significant increase in bicycle parking where needed will alleviate the current practice of illegal bicycle parking. That is, the current Rice University bicycle policy states that “Bicycles must be parked only at bicycle racks and must not be chained to handicap ramps. Bicycles may not block pedestrian traffic nor be chained to stairwell rails or rails next to access ramps.” Since this policy regarding bicycle parking is already in place, the Committee recommends that it continues to be enforced, and sees no need for a new or updated policy on bicycle parking.

B. Bicycle sharing program. Many universities, cities, and parks have bicycle sharing programs wherein bicycles are purchased and provided to the community in a loaner program such as the “Yellow Bike Program” or for a small fee. When asked in our recent survey if Rice community members would use a bicycle sharing program, 36% responded that they would use a bicycle sharing program (see Appendix 2). This is a large enough number, assuming 36% is representative of the entire campus, to justify investigating the feasibility of a bicycle sharing program. The Committee recommends that Rice investigate a potential bicycle sharing program. We see this as an important strategy as Rice moves forward, especially given the disjunctive location of the Biomedical Research Collaborative (BRC). Faculty, staff, and students may need to travel rapidly between the BRC and the main campus: a challenge that will be greatly facilitated by bicycle sharing stations at the BRC, as well as strategic locations around campus. In addition, visitors to campus who use a bicycle for their transportation needs could use a bicycle to get around campus and Houston. This program should cast Rice in a very positive light, and be consistent with Rice’s goal to be a leader in sustainability as verified by President Leebron’s signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. See Appendix 6 for a student research project document from a class taught by Richard Johnson.

C. Bicycle repair shop. With the number of bicycles increasing on campus each year, a bicycle repair shop could be integral to the success of a bicycle-friendly Rice University campus. The Committee recommends that Rice investigate the feasibility of a bicycle repair shop on campus. Many universities have bicycle repair shops (e.g., Harvard University, Michigan State University, University of California Davis, Willamette University, and University of Utah) that are essential to providing the impetus for people to choose to ride their bicycles to and around campus. That is, without a repair shop on campus, cyclists have to go off campus to a


private business to get bicycles repaired. This problem is especially acute for undergraduate students living on campus. Although this venture will require financial support, Rice University will benefit greatly from a bicycle repair shop. It is possible that proceeds from the bicycle auctions or a bicycle fair could help supplement the cost of such a program. See Appendix 7 for a rough draft for a non-profit bicycle repair shop at Rice University. Although space on campus is at a premium, we feel that bicycles will become increasingly important modes of transportation – a repair shop on campus will be a significant catalyst to increase bicycle transportation.

D. Bicycle safety and maintenance class. Bicycle safety and maintenance are often related. For example, if tires are not kept in proper true (i.e., wheels wobble), or if pedals are not tightened down correctly, cyclists can injure themselves or other people. The Committee recommends that Rice offer a beginner’s safety and maintenance training class. Thirty-three percent of respondents to the survey said they are interested in a bicycle safety and maintenance class (see Appendix 2). Cyclists interested in advanced maintenance of bicycles (e.g., bearing adjustment, wheel building) can learn these techniques at the proposed (see above) Rice University Bicycle Repair Shop. However, cyclists that need to learn basic maintenance techniques are also likely to be unaware of bicycle safety issues. Thus, we suggest offering a class that addresses basic maintenance issues, as well as offers an introduction to bicycle safety.

Safety and maintenance class: Safety training for Beer Bike participants occurs yearly, just prior to Beer Bike. This person, or additional persons, could direct the safety portion, while a trained bicycle mechanic could then address basic maintenance issues. The class could be offered once monthly or perhaps a several times per semester. With Rice now issuing bicycles to graduate students, a bicycle safety course could be part of this program to insure that cyclists are aware of safety issues. These safety classes may be most effective at the beginning of each semester when new students arrive, as many may have not ridden a bicycle for a long time or are not familiar with riding a bicycle in dangerous traffic such as that which exists in Houston.

E. Offer bicycles to incoming freshman and graduate students. Vehicle parking is becoming increasingly limited on Rice University campus. As a partial solution to this problem, the Committee recommends that Rice continue to offer bicycles to graduate students and begin including incoming freshman in exchange for them not bringing a vehicle to Rice. There is currently a program run by Mark Ditman to bring 35 bicycles to graduate students at the Rice Village Apartments2. If abandoned bicycles on Rice University campus are repaired to a nice condition, they could be offered to students for a small price.

1. 2http://media.www.ricethresher.org/media/storage/paper1290/news/2009/03/27/News/BikesForCars.For.Grad.Students-3684822.shtml


http://media.www.ricethresher.org/media/storage/paper1290/news/2009/03/27/News/BikesForCars.For.Grad.Students-3684822.shtml

http://media.www.ricethresher.org/media/storage/paper1290/news/2009/03/27/News/BikesForCars.For.Grad.Students-3684822.shtml

Conclusion In The Vision for the Second Century (V2C), adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2005, one of the key points to further the V2C is to expand the size of the university. According to projections, the undergraduate enrollment at Rice will increase by approximately 30 percent, from about 2,900 to about 3,800 by 2012-15. With undergraduate enrollment for next year projected at 3,102, a graduate student population of approximately 2,500, full time faculty of more than 700 and full-time staff of more than 2,200, the Rice campus is home to more than 8,500 people who live, work and commute to the campus. With this growth, comes the increased safety concern of moving pedestrians, cyclists, and motorized vehicles throughout the campus spaces safely. This is further impacted by current layout of the campus and the constraints of existing streets and sidewalk. Despite talk of sustainability and climate change, we continue policies that favor motor vehicles. The vast majority of faculty, staff, and off-campus students commute by private motor vehicle. This majority enjoys free short-term parking on the central campus and short waits for shuttle buses. For cyclists, it is a different story. The parking on the inner loop, the one-way streets, and congestion from heavy bus and automobile traffic discourage cyclists from using the campus streets. As a result, most cyclists prefer to ride on sidewalks. However, this creates bicycle/pedestrian conflicts, unsafe conditions at blind sidewalk intersections, and generally imparts an unsafe feeling to anyone walking around campus. As indicated by the survey comments, many cyclists feel in limbo, being unwelcome on the sidewalks or the campus streets. Rice is confronted with a fundamental decision about mobility on campus. (a) Rice can continue the status quo, at the expense of occasional bicycle-pedestrian accidents and a subtle feeling of tension on the sidewalks. In section 1B, the Committee suggests measures to mitigate bicycle/pedestrian conflicts under the assumption that the streets will continue to be bicycle-unfriendly. (b) Rice can follow the lead of many universities by restricting motor vehicle traffic in the campus core, making the campus streets bicycle-friendly, and prohibiting cycling on most sidewalks. This alternative is likely to be unpopular with many motorists, especially students. Nevertheless, many comments in the survey, especially from respondents with experience at other universities, favored a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly campus. The choice is not easy. The current system of mobility at Rice suffers from all the negatives of the automobile culture: traffic accidents, pollution, unsustainability, anxiety, and inactive lifestyles. Social change is inherently unpopular, and changing mobility at Rice will inevitably encounter stiff resistance. Motorists and cyclists alike would need to adapt to a new system of mobility. A clumsy implementation would be especially unpopular. We urge Rice to confront this issue with a prompt study, due deliberation, and decisive action. Our Committee has drafted this report in an attempt to address the current and future issues surrounding bicycle/ pedestrian safety on our campus. We are committed to this effort and plan to do periodic campus-wide surveys in the future to analyze the changes and to continue advising the university about bicycle safety on campus. The Committee recommends that student organizations (new or existing) help with these efforts.


Appendices

Appendix 1: Bicycle Safety Committee Members Carolie Allgood – Brown School of Engineering, Administrator phone: 713-348-4009, [email protected] Logan Beck – Hanszen College, Undergraduate Student phone: 713 478-1958, [email protected] Renee Block – Vice President for Investments/Treasurer, Director of Risk Management phone: 713-348-4751, [email protected] Janie Bowes – Real Estate officer phone: 713-348-4011, [email protected] Scott Chamberlain – Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Student phone: 713-348-3858, [email protected] Phillip Hassell – Rice University, Police Captain phone: 713-348-4595, [email protected] Hannes Hofer - Facilities Engineering and Planning, Facilities Project Manager Phone:713-348-5347, [email protected] Richard Johnson – Facilities Engineering and Planning, Professor and Director of Sustainability phone: 713-348-5003, [email protected] Amy Kavalewitz – Ken Kennedy Institute for Information Technology, Institute Coordinator phone: 713-348-5823, [email protected] Jeff Kilpatrick – Computer Science, Graduate Student phone: 713-348-5930, [email protected] Nick Muscara – Martel College, Undergraduate Student phone: , [email protected] Maude Rowland – Bioengineering, Graduate Student phone: , [email protected] Bill Wilson – Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Research Scientist phone: 713-348-4914, [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]













Appendix 2: Survey Results: Questions and Responses We posed the following 25 questions to students, staff, and faculty at Rice to get feedback on what the community thinks of the current safety situation at Rice, and bicycle related issues. The survey was posted on the website http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice/, and we sent emails to all departments at Rice, as well as Facebook groups, asking Rice community members to voice their opinions about bicycle safety and bicycle issues. We received total of 1,142 responses to the online survey. Of the more than one-thousand respondents, 445 of the respondents submitted written comments. We asked the following questions in the survey:

1. My role at Rice is: 2. My current age is: 3. I use a bike to get across campus. 4. I use a bicycle to commute to and from campus 5. I am concerned about bicycle-pedestrian safety on campus 6. I am concerned about bicycle-car safety on campus. 7. I have been involved in a bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus. 8. I have witnessed a bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus. 9. I have seen a potential (or near) bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus. 10. I have been involved in a bicycle-car accident on campus. 11. I have witnessed a bicycle-car accident on campus. 12. I have seen a potential (or near) bicycle-car accident on campus. 13. Bicycling should be allowed on sidewalks throughout the campus. 14. Bicycling should be allowed on covered sidewalks. 15. There should be designated “pedestrian only” sidewalks. 16. There should be designated “bicycle only” bike paths. 17. Is it your common practice to announce yourself when approaching a pedestrian, by using

a bell or saying “on your left” or “behind you”. 18. There is adequate bicycle parking on campus. 19. I would use a bicycle on campus if bicycle parking were more conveniently located. 20. I am familiar with the current city traffic laws regarding bicycles. 21. I am familiar with the current university policy regarding bicycles. 22. Rate the level of enforcement of the current city traffic laws and university policy

regarding bicycles. 23. I am interested in a campus bicycle sharing program. 24. I am interested in attending a bike safety and maintenance class offered by the university. 25. Bicycle registration should be mandatory.

Below is a tabular summary of the survey results.


http://www.rice.edu/bikesatrice/

1. My role at Rice Faculty Staff Grad Students Undergraduates All

Faculty 100% 0% 0% 0% 17%

Staff 0% 100% 0% 0% 36%

Grad Student 0% 0% 100% 0% 18%

Undergraduate 0% 0% 0% 100% 28%

Other 0% 0% 0% 0% 2%

2. My current age is

Faculty Staff Grad Students Undergraduates All

17-24 0% 3% 29% 99% 34%

25-34 11% 21% 66% 0% 21%

35-44 31% 18% 4% 0% 12%

45-54 21% 32% 2% 0% 15%

55+ 36% 26% 0% 0% 16%

3. I use a bicycle to get around campus


Never 55% 75% 29% 37% 52%

Sometimes 24% 15% 34% 24% 22%

Half the time 3% 2% 4% 8% 4%

Often 9% 5% 17% 17% 12%

Always 8% 2% 15% 12% 8%

4. I use a bicycle to commute to and from campus



Never 52% 80% 26% 67% 61%

Less than half the time

16% 12% 18% 10% 13%

Half the time 4% 2% 5% 6% 4%

More than half the time

11% 2% 15% 7% 7%

Always 17% 5% 36% 10% 14%

5. I am concerned about bicycle-pedestrian safety on campus.


Strongly Agree 29% 42% 16% 11% 26%

Agree 34% 37% 38% 35% 35%

Neutral 22% 13% 22% 30% 31%

Disagree 10% 4% 18% 15% 11%

Strongly Disagree

5% 2% 6% 9% 5%

6. I am concerned about bicycle-car safety on campus.


Strongly Agree 28% 41% 21% 16% 28%

Agree 38% 42% 41% 39% 40%

Neutral 22% 12% 18% 28% 19%

Disagree 8% 4% 16% 11% 9%

Strongly Disagree

3% 1% 4% 6% 3%

7. I have been involved in a bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus.


Yes 2% 4% 3% 5% 4%

No 96% 95% 95% 93% 94%

8. I have witnessed a bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus.



Yes 13% 15% 7% 18% 14%

No 86% 84% 92% 80% 84%

9. I have seen a potential (or near) bicycle-pedestrian accident on campus.


Yes 53% 67% 49% 59% 59%

No 45% 31% 48% 40% 39%

10. I have been involved in a bicycle-car accident on campus.


Yes 1% 3% 2% 3% 2%

No 96% 96% 98% 97% 96%

11. I have witnessed a bicycle-car accident on campus.

Yes 4% 6% 6% 7% 6%

No 94% 91% 92% 92% 91%

12. I have seen a potential (or near) bicycle-car accident on campus.


Yes 43% 55% 37% 33% 43%

No 55% 45% 63% 66% 55

13. Bicycling should be allowed on sidewalks throughout the campus.


Strongly Agree 20% 11% 35% 47% 27%

Agree 21% 23% 32% 29% 26%

Neutral 16% 13% 9% 7% 11%

Disagree 15% 27% 12% 11% 18%

Strongly Disagree

26% 26% 11% 5% 17%

14. Bicycling should be allowed on covered sidewalks.



Strongly Agree 11% 6% 19% 35% 17%

Agree 10% 12% 27% 21% 17%

Neutral 17% 16% 16% 17% 16%

Disagree 21% 33% 23% 18% 25%

Strongly Disagree

39% 32% 15% 8% 23%

15. There should be designated “pedestrian only” sidewalks.


Strongly Agree 32% 32% 18% 12% 24%

Agree 21% 33% 23% 16% 24%

Neutral 28% 17% 23% 22% 21%

Disagree 10% 14% 21% 25% 18%

Strongly Disagree

8% 4% 15% 24% 12%

16. There should be designated “bicycle only” bike paths.


Strongly Agree 36% 32% 29% 21% 29%

Agree 28% 34% 32% 26% 30%

Neutral 21% 20% 15% 19% 19%

Disagree 10% 11% 14% 16% 13%

Strongly Disagree

4% 3% 9% 18% 9%

17. Is it your common practice to announce yourself when approaching a pedestrian, by using a bell or saying “on your left” or “behind you?”



Yes 50% 34% 52% 43% 42%

No 22% 9% 35% 24% 20%

Not Applicable 15% 53% 12% 32% 33%

18. There is adequate bicycle parking on campus.


Strongly Agree 2% 3% 4% 4% 3%

Agree 8% 15% 24% 26% 19%

Neutral 42% 49% 27% 25% 37%

Disagree 31% 22% 30% 34% 28%

Strongly Disagree

13% 9% 14% 11% 12%

19. I would use a bicycle on campus if bicycle parking were more conveniently located.


Strongly Agree 8% 5% 10% 11% 9%

Agree 24% 15% 22% 26% 21%

Neutral 45% 53% 49% 41% 47%

Disagree 9% 16% 13% 17% 15%

Strongly Disagree

10% 9% 4% 5% 7%

20. I am familiar with the current city traffic laws regarding bicycles.


Yes 61% 58% 55% 38% 52%

No 37% 41% 44% 62% 46%

21. I am familiar with the current university policy regarding bicycles.



Yes 39% 38% 41% 48% 41%

No 59% 61% 59% 53% 58%

22. Rate the level of enforcement of the current city traffic laws and university policy regarding bicycles.


Too Severe 3% 2% 12% 11% 6%

About Right 42% 31% 56% 60% 46%

Lax 33% 51% 27% 27% 37%

23. I am interested in a campus bicycle sharing program.


Yes 34% 29% 35% 47% 36%

No 59% 66% 65% 53% 61%

24. I am interested in attending a bike safety and maintenance class offered by the university.


Yes 24% 35% 47% 26% 33%

No 71% 61% 53% 74% 64%

25. Bicycle registration should be mandatory.


Yes 48% 67% 45% 53% 55%

No 47% 29% 55% 46% 41%


Appendix 3: Campus Maps MAP 1 – Shared Path Proposal MAP 2 – Suggested Path Proposal


Rice Stadium Alice Pratt Brown Hall

Tudor Fieldhouse& RRC Gymnasium

Duncan Hall

Fondren Library

Reckling Park

Baker Hall

AbercrombieLaboratory

Herring Hall

MartelCollege

Sewall Hall

JonesCollege

George R. Brown Hall

Howard Keck Hall

Dell Butcher Hall

Anderson Hall

SpaceScience

M.D. AndersonBiology

Herzstein Hall

Jones GraduateSchool of Management

RyonLaboratory

Cohen House

LovettCollege

Lovett Hall

Seeley G. Mudd

Ley Student Center

BakerCollege

Allen Center

Rayzor Hall

HicksKitchen

Soccer & Track Stadium

Annex Building

Facilities Engineering & Planning

Kieth-WiessGeology

Hamman HallMechanicalEngineering

HanszenCollege

Central Plant

Humanities Building

Rice Media Center

Continuing Studies

GreenbriarBuilding

Will RiceCollege

Herman Brown Hall

BrownCollege

Cooling Tower

MechanicalLaboratory

Rice Memorial Center

Sid RichardsonCollege

Wiess President's House

Morton LevyStudent Health Center

JonesMaster House

WiessMaster House

BrownMaster House

HanszenMaster House

Will RiceMaster House

BakerMaster House

Jake HessTennis Stadium

Wiess College

O'Connor House

MartelMaster House

Brockman Hallunder construction

DuncanCollege

McMurtryCollege

under construction

under construction

Gibbs Recreation& Wellness Centerunder construction

1 inch = 400 feet

Joseph McGrath11/17/2008

Rice UniversityFacilities Engineering & Planning

6100 Main Street MS-312Houston, Texas 77005-1892

(713) 348-5988

ÃN

0 200 400 600 800100Feet

University Bicycle Traffic

Designated Bike Path

Bikes not allowedBikes are allowed in all other areas outside of the Academic and Central Quads

No Bikes except on designated Bike Path

RiceStadium

Alice

PrattBrow

nH

all

TudorFieldhouse&

RRC

Gym

nasium

Duncan

Hall

FondrenLibrary

RecklingPark

BakerHall

Abercrom

bieLaboratory

Herring

Hall

Martel

College

SewallH

all

JonesCollege

George

R.B

rown

Hall

How

ardK

eckH

all

DellButcherH

all

Anderson

Hall

SpaceScience

M.D

.Anderson

Biology

Herzstein

Hall

JonesGraduate

SchoolofManagem

ent

RyonLaboratory

CohenH

ouse

LovettCollege

LovettHall

SeeleyG

.Mudd

LeyStudentC

enter

BakerCollege

Allen

Center

RayzorHall

Hicks

Kitchen

Soccer&Track

Stadium

Annex

Building

FacilitiesEngineering&

Planning

Kieth-W

iessG

eology

Ham

man

Hall

Mechanical

Engineering

Hanszen

College CentralPlant

Hum

anitiesBuilding

RiceM

ediaCenter

ContinuingStudies

Greenbriar

Building

WillR

iceCollege

Herm

anB

rown

Hall

Brown

College

CoolingTow

er

Mechanical

Laboratory

RiceM

emorialC

enter

SidR

ichardsonCollege

WiessPresident'sH

ouse

Morton

LevyStudentH

ealthC

enter

JonesM

asterHouse

Wiess

MasterH

ouse

Brown

MasterH

ouse

Hanszen

MasterH

ouse

WillR

iceM

asterHouse

BakerM

asterHouse

JakeH

essTennisStadium

WiessCollege

O'C

onnorHouse

Martel

MasterH

ouse

Brockman

Hall

underconstruction

Duncan

College

McM

urtryCollege

underconstruction

underconstruction

GibbsR

ecreation&

WellnessC

enterunderconstruction

SouthPlant

1 inch = 400 feet

Joseph McGrath02/19/2009

Rice UniversityFacilities Engineering & Planning

6100 Main Street MS-312Houston, Texas 77005-1892

(713) 348-5988

ÃN

0 200 400 600 800100Feet

RiceRoads& Sidewalks

black: two-way streets, including access through parking lots

Potential on-street bicycle routesMap 2

Appendix 4

blue: one-way streets red: approximate route for bike/cart/pedestrian path to the BRC

Appendix 4: “Bell or Yell” Pamphlet


A

Bicycle Safety Guidelines

SAFETY GUIDELINESBicycles are considered vehicles. Please observe the same traffic guidelines:

• Stop at all stop signs • Watch for pedestrians, especially at crosswalks• Ride with the flow of traffic, never against it• Obey all traffic signs and signals• Ride on the right• Pass on the left• Slow down to pass pedestrians• Use your bell or yell • Use lights and reflectors after dark• Helmets are recommended• Be alert and ride safely

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR BICYCLE IS STOLEN• Contact RUPD as soon as possible at 713-348-6000 or stop by the station to report your bicycle stolen.

• Report the theft whether your bike is registered or not. The likelihood of the bicycle being recovered is greater if it is registered. It is important for the RUPD to be aware of all bicycle thefts, to better assist in recovery.

• Inform the RUPD of the make, model and color of the bicycle, as well as the location of the bicycle before the theft. For more information or suggestions about Rice’s bicycle safety guidelines, please contact RUPD at 713-348-6000 or [email protected].

REGISTER YOUR BICYCLE TODAY!

P

L

G

REGISTER YOUR BICYCLERegister your bicycle with the Rice University Police Depart-ment (RUPD). It is easy, just go to http://rupd.rice.edu and click on “E-Services” to fill out the online form. To register, you will need to submit the serial number for your bicycle. (If your bicycle does not have a serial number, the RUPD will be happy to assist you engraving an identification number on your bicycle.) Registration helps RUPD return stolen bicycles to their owners and prosecute bicycle thieves.

WATCH FOR PEDESTRIANSPlease yield to pedestrians at all times. Pedestrians generally have the right of way. No one wants to see an injury occur, and you may be liable if you hit someone. (It’s a good idea to check your homeowner, automobile, or personal liability insurance policies to make sure you are protected.)

Bicycles provide a convenient, environmentally friendly way to move around the campus. With the increasing number of bicycles and pedestrians, it is important that each rider act responsibly to avoid injury. By keeping in mind some simple rules and courtesies, we can create a safe environment for everyone.

As an extra safety precaution this year, we are encouraging a “Bell or Yell” campaign for bicycle riders to announce their presence to pedestrians. Rice bicycle bells will be provided when you register your bikes.

RIDE RESPONSIBLY USE YOUR BELL OR YELLIt is important to notify pedestrians that you are approach-ing on your bicycle. Within a reasonable distance, alert pedestrians that you are approaching by saying: “Excuse me,” “On your left,” or “Behind you,” or use a bicycle bell. Pass slowly, treating pedestrians as having the right of way. Do not startle pedestrians.

Get a free Rice Bicycle Bell when you register your bicycle!

BE COURTEOUSAs you ride through campus, please be aware of your surroundings and be courteous to others using the walk-ways and streets. Rice University has many visitors on campus, some of whom may not be aware of our campus culture. To avoid accidents, please be aware that some pedestrians and riders may be using headphones or be distracted by other factors. If you use earphones while biking, please use only one earphone in order to remain alert to pedestrians and vehicles.

PARK RESPONSIBLYPark your bicycle only in designated bicycle racks provided amply throughout the campus. Do not block sidewalks or walkways. Illegally parked bicycles will be removed by the RUPD. Secure your bicycle by following these tips:

• Use a case-hardened “U” lock; cable locks are easily cut.• Lock your bicycle in racks provided by Rice University. • Remember to also lock parts attached with quick-release mechanisms.

Appendix 5: Bicycle Laws Texas Law

Below from Houston Bike Club website: http://www.houstonbicycleclub.org/Pages/HomePage.aspx.

“The following are excerpts of pertinent state and local laws pertaining to the operations of bicycles on public roadways. Remember - a cyclist is subject to all of the laws - these are just some of the portions of the code that are of particular interest to cyclists.”

TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE

Section 545.058 Driving on Improved Shoulder (A) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway if the operation is necessary and may be done safely, but only: (1) to stop, stand, or park; (2) to accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic; (3) to decelerate before making a right turn; (4) to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn; (5) to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass; (6) as permitted or required by an official traffic-control device or (7) to avoid a collision. (B) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the left of the main traveled portion of a divided or limited access or controlled access highway if that operation may be done safely, but only: (1) to slow or stop when the vehicle is disabled and traffic or other circumstances prohibit the safe movement of the vehicle to the right of the main traveled portion of the roadway; (2) as permitted or required by an official traffic control device, or; (3) to avoid a collision. (C) A limitation in this section on driving on an improved shoulder does not apply to: (1) an authorized emergency vehicle responding to a call; (2) a police patrol, or; , (3) a bicycle.

Section 545.107 Method of Giving Hand and Arm Signals An operator who is permitted to give a hand and arm signal shall give the signal from the left side of the vehicle as follows: (1) to make a left turn signal, extend hand and arm horizontally; (2) to make a right turn signal, extend hand and arm upward, except that a bicycle operator may signal from the right side of the vehicle with the hand and arm extended horizontally; and (3) to stop or decrease speed, extend left hand and arm downward.

Section 551.102 General Operation (A) A person operating a bicycle shall ride only on or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.


http://www.houstonbicycleclub.org/Pages/HomePage.aspx

(B) A person may not use a bicycle to carry more persons than the bicycle is equipped to carry. (C) A person operating a bicycle may not use his bicycle to carry an object that prevents the person from operating the bicycle with at least one hand on the handlebars of the bicycle. (0) A person operating a bicycle, coaster, sled, or toy vehicle or using roller skates may not attach either the person or the bicycle, coaster, sled, toy vehicle, or roller skates to a streetcar or vehicle on a roadway.

Section 551.103 Operation on Roadway (A) Except as provided by Subsection (8), a person operating a bicycle on a roadway who is moving slower than the other traffic on the roadway shall ride as near as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway, unless: (1) the person is passing another vehicle moving in the same direction; (2) the person is preparing to turn left at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or (3) a condition on or of the roadway, including a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard width lane, prevents the person from safely riding next to the right curb or edge of the roadway. (8) A person operating a bicycle on a one-way roadway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near as practicable to the left curb or edge of roadway. (C) Persons operating a bicycle on a roadway may ride two abreast. Persons riding two abreast on a laned roadway shall ride in a single lane. Persons riding two abreast may not impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic on the roadway. Persons may not ride more than two abreast unless they are riding on a part of a roadway set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles. (0) In this section, "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel in the lane side by side.

Section 551.104 Safety Equipment (A) A person may not operate a bicycle unless the bicycle is equipped with a brake capable of making a braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (B) A person may not operate a bicycle at nighttime unless the bicycle is equipped with: (1) a lamp on the front of the bicycle that emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet in front of the bicycle; and (2) a red reflector on the rear of the bicycle that is: (a) of a type approved by the department; and (b) visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from 50 to 300 feet to the rear of the bicycle. (C) In addition to the rear reflector required by Subsection (B), a person operating a bicycle at nighttime may use a lamp on the rear of the bicycle that emits a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.

Section 551.105 Competitive Racing (A) In this section, "bicycle" means a non motorized vehicle propelled by human power.


(B) A sponsoring organization may hold a competitive bicycle race on a public road only with the approval of the appropriate local law enforcement agencies. (C) The local law enforcement agencies and the sponsoring organization may agree on safety regulations governing the movement of bicycles during a competitive race or during training for a competitive race, including the permission for bicycle operators to ride abreast.

City of Houston Law

Section 45-302: No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in the City of Houston within a business district or where prohibited by sign. A business district is defined as "the territory contiguous to and including a roadway when, within 600 feet along such roadway, there are buildings in use for business or industrial purpose which occupy 300 feet collectively on both sides of the roadway". Also, cyclists are required to yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal to pedestrians when riding on approved sidewalks. (In general, cyclists are permitted to ride on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinances, although experienced cyclists usually agree that it is much safer to ride on the street and follow the laws as they apply to any other vehicle.) Section 45-311: This ordinance requires all bicycles to be registered. Owners of non registered bicycles can be ticketed and fined $5. Bicycles can be registered for a fee of $1.00 at many Houston fire stations. Article 6701.d. Section 182: Requires that a bicycle ride with the flow of traffic. Riding with the traffic makes the cyclist more visible and predictable, especially at intersections.

City Ordinance No. 95-813: Children under the age of 18 who operate or ride on a bicycle or any side car, trailer, child carrier, seat or other device attached to a bicycle must wear a bicycle helmet.


Appendix 6: Bicycle Sharing Program Draft Plan


TRANSPORTATION PROJECT

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CATEGORIZATION OF BIKE-SHARE PROGRAMS

In analyzing the effectiveness of implementing a bike-share program at Rice University,

it is both necessary and helpful to take into account the manner in which similar programs have

been successfully implemented at other universities. Bike-share programs, in fact, exist in many

universities both in the United States and Canada. By researching the success of these programs

at other institutions, this provides a background for Rice to be able to propose a plan for a similar

endeavor at our institution.

For the purposes of this study, we will focus on twenty universities from both countries

which we felt provided a clear picture of how a bike-share program may work. Furthermore,

each of these universities will be categorized under one of the following labels: “anarchic”

program, co-op or club program, and non-automated “hub” program.16 Before categorizing the

programs from the specific schools targeted, it is important to understand what each category

means.

“Anarchic” Program:

As previously mentioned, an anarchic program typically involves the use of recycled or

donated bikes that are painted a bright distinct color and released into the community. The

benefits of such a program are two-fold. First and foremost, it is quite an easy program to

implement, as it requires almost no infrastructure or real budget to start. Furthermore, an

anarchic program both encourages and requires community involvement. As such, one must get

community members to donate the bicycles that will be used for free.

Although promising in the benefits it can provide, an anarchic program also has many

disadvantages. Such a program depends on one or a small group of enthusiastic individuals.

Unfortunately, if they lose interest or leave the community, the program is likely fail. 16 http://bike.hampshire.edu/development/summary/#program_types


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Furthermore, an anarchic program requires a large number of bicycles to make it a dependable

mode of transportation. The more bicycles, the more effort needed to keep bikes in working

order. In addition, there is also no individual accountability, besides community pressure, to

respect the system. This last drawback may include such unfortunate consequences as theft. And

finally, bikes involved in this type of program are often left in low-flow traffic areas, which may

impede its practicability and availability of use to all students.

Institution Population Description of Program Implementation Hampshire College (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Faculty/Staff: 275 Undergraduates: 1430

Called the Yellow Bike Program, this system provides a fleet of free yellow bikes for the Hampshire College community for on-campus transportation. Bikes can be left anywhere on campus, as long as it is a well-traveled path, and are free to take whenever you see them.

This program began in 1999 as a student initiative. It relies on donated bicycles and volunteers to repair bikes. Currently the college is working on a computerized check-out system for bikes.

University of Calgary (Canada)

Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Degree Students: 27,600+ Staff: 3,000

This year-long program offers refurbished bikes that are set all around campus for the Calgary community to use. As an incentive, cyclists who use the program are offered free breakfast on Fridays.

Any university member can take an available bike from a rack, and then leave it in at their destination for the next person to use.

Davidson College (Davidson, North Carolina)

Undergraduate: 1,700 students

Each bicycle is adopted by a residence hall on campus. Many are decorated by their halls, named, and nurtured.

The halls provide some focused stewardship, but it is up to all in the community to care about and for the program (has interesting parallels with Rice, which also has residential colleges).


15

University of British Columbia (Canada)

Undergraduate: 23,464 students

280 bikes are made available to the campus. UBC is “dedicated to improving the environment for bikes, and bikes for the environment!” This program likewise offers classes on bike repair for those who choose to do so.

Bikes are locked with the same type of keyed locks, so in this sense, this is an “advanced” form of anarchic program. When you see a bike, you are free to unlock it and ride it away.

Co-op/Club Programs:

The second category of bike loan programs is the co-op or club program. Here, bikes are

specifically made available to a defined group of individuals. Again, there are a certain amount

of benefits to this type of program. However, the main benefit is that participants are more likely

to be committed to the success of the program. Since these individuals are part of an “exclusive”

group, which they have usually paid to become a member, they have much more invested in

keeping the program running properly.

There are also drawbacks to the co-op/club program. To begin with, such a program does not

hold individual group members accountable for poor actions. For example, there is nothing

preventing a club member from taking a bike home with them. Furthermore, there is no incentive

to leave the bicycle in a designated place. Therefore, we once again have the problem of lack of

proper availability of bikes to all group members.

Institution Population Description of Program Implementation Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT)

Faculty: approx. 270 Undergraduates: 2,406

Began as an anarchic program where in 2001 a student group released nine used bikes, which were painted yellow, into the community. The program was very popular despite minor mechanical and distributional problems. In 2002 students were asked to join the Yellow bike Cooperative for an annual fee of $6. Parents of first-year students were

Initially, Public Safety (campus security) supplied bikes from abandoned bike inventory. Funding came from campus environmental grants (for bikes and tools) and the Public Safety budget for a student


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sent a letter explaining the program. Over 230 students joined the cooperative and received a key that fit the universal locks attached to any of the yellow bikes in the program.

Yellow Bike Coordinator position. There’s a secure storage and maintenance facility on campus and repairs and tune-ups are performed by professional bike mechanics from the Bike Center in Middlebury.

University of Alberta (Canada)

Approximately 37,000 students

The program is set on a one-month rental basis, where 30 bikes are made available. The purpose of this program is three-fold: encourage sustainable transportation, provide the campus community with access to affordable alternative transportation, and provide volunteers with a place to learn how to build and maintain bicycles.

The student must go to the Bike Library (organization that provides bikes), with an ID card and a $40 one time deposit. The program is season, running only from April to October.

University of Ottawa (Canada)

30,882 undergraduate students

Started with the following ideals in mind: “Benefits us as a community by limiting our contribution of air pollutants, as well as reducing traffic congestion on and around our campuses.” However, only 8 bikes are made available to all the students.

$10 given up front, which is returned once bike is returned. User applies, completes form, agrees to terms, issued membership card and can borrow bike

University of Toronto at Mississauga

10,500 undergraduate students, 400 graduate students, 700 faculty and staff

The program promotes UTM’s grow green initiative to preserve the environment by providing students and faculty with a free bicycle rental and repair service.

Visit BikeShare office; exchange T-Card for BikeShare Bicycle key; once receive key, borrower allowed to keep bike for 24 hours or longer if approved by a BikeShare coordinator

University of Wyoming (Laramie, Wyoming)

13,000 students The program is called “Pokes’ Spokes Bike Library”. The cost is $15/semester, with students having priority for registration. Men’s and women’s bike models available are both available. Rentals include a

Faculty and staff ineligible until after second week of semester; Takes $100 deposit; Different bike models available to


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helmet and a lock at no additional cost. Furthermore, they have taken donations for bikes.

borrowers

University of Toronto, Scarborough

10,041 undergraduate students; approximately 183 faculty

This program is actually part of the over-arching Bike Movement on-campus. Sign-outs require a deposit of $5 and a student card, both of which will be returned upon return of the bike.

Bike Share Membership is free but requires the attendance of a 15 minute training session on traffic laws and road safety.

Non-Automated Hub Programs:

The third type of bike program is the non-automated bike program. Here, individuals

must check out a bicycle from a human attended hub. These hubs can be located at businesses,

shops, churches, youth centers, bike shops, libraries, to name a few. This is by far the most

popular type of bike program, as the majority of universities researched have implemented non-

automated hub programs.

There are a myriad of benefits to this type of bike program. First, it provides a manner of

keeping track of individual accountability without the implementation of expensive custom bike

racks. Furthermore, by engaging community businesses and other organizations in the program

as hubs, those running the program will become more committed to seeing it succeed. Finally,

new off-the-shelf bicycles can be used because individuals are held accountable through signing

out the bike.

There are, of course, many downfalls to the non-automated bike program. Clearly, the

involvement of businesses also means that there is much work involved in recruiting these types

of organizations to become hubs. Furthermore, the hubs created will not likely be open all the

time. However, a drop-off system could be set up to alleviate this problem. In addition, such a

program involves the process of signing out a vehicle, which can be inconvenient, as most

college students have very busy schedules and may find the process time-consuming. Finally, a


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non-automated hub program requires human capital, as staff or volunteers are needed to man

hubs.17

Institution Population Description of Program

Implementation

Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia)

Undergraduate: 6,890 Graduate/Professional: 5,865 Faculty/Staff: 12,287 Emory Healthcare: 10,446

A free bike rental service is provided at several locations across campus (ex. Student Athletic and Academic Center). To borrow a bike you much chose a numbered bike, fill out a waiver, get the key, inspect the bike (checklist), and wear a helmet. The bikes must be returned the same day.

The bike programs began with the help of Fuji Bikes and Bicycle South. Repairs are made by Emory and Bicycle South. A mobile repair center is set up twice a week. Students are required to pay for any damages they caused to the bike.

Duke University (Durham, North Carolina)

Undergraduates: 6,244 Postgraduates: 6,844 Faculty: 2,583

Bikes can be freely borrowed from Duke’s Outpost adventure gear station. A bike can be check-out for up to seven days and taken off-campus. This program is available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students (currently not faculty). The fleet currently

This program was organized by students, campus services, the Office of Student Affairs, the Provost’s Office and the Executive Vice President’s Office. The outpost is run by members from the Office of Student Activities and Facilities. Bikes are maintained by Duke staff and students hired to work in the Outpost.

17 System implemented in St. Paul and Toronto Communities


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includes 1-speed and 3-speed Trek Cruisers and 21-speed Trek mountain and hybrid bikes.

McGill University (Canada)

20,181 undergraduate students; 6061 faculty; 3398 staff

A program open to students, faculty, and staff, its purpose is to encourage members of the community to consider more efficient, eco-friendly means of transportation across campus.

Those interested in taking out a bike present themselves to campus security with an ID card. It is a season program that is not used in the winter.

University of Waterloo (Canada)

Full-time undergraduate students: 22,368; Staff: 2,251

The Yellow Bike Program represents the University's commitment to the Environment and commitment to the transportation needs of students.

Valid Watcard-holders sign up for program at Turnkey Desk . Watcard holders fill out waiver form and pay $20 fee each term. The bike must be returned within 24 hours

Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio)

Students: 52,568 Faculty: 5,202

The program is called Buckeye Bikes. Students and faculty are welcome to use the bikes for free. Students can check them out, and use them wherever they need to go. Ohio state students worked with their Department of Recreation Sports in order to get 20 Schwinn bikes onto campus.

Students can check out bikes for 48 hours through the Recreation Center. Rental helmets are available but not required. In order to rent bikes, students must first fill out a Release, Waiver, and Assumption of Risk Agreement. They do not have them now, but they hope to have racks specifically for Buckeye Bikes. Bike locks also come with the bicycles.


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Rhodes College (Memphis, Tennessee)

Students: 1664 Faculty: 192

Rhodes College Bike Program: Free

Students can check out bikes for 2 weeks. They received their bikes through donations. As an interesting incentive, Rhodes College created a works study position (endorsed by Financial Aid) for students who work on bike repairs for the program.

Saint Michael’s College (Colchester, Vermont)

Students: 2,000 undergraduates, 650 graduates Faculty: 144

Saint Michael’s College Bike Program: Free They have 25 bikes that were donated from bikes abandoned from the end of the school year. The program corresponds with Old Spokes Home, a neighborhood bike shop. Old Spokes Home has given a deal on the bike locks, and provides a place where repairs can be made.

Students can check out bikes for 48 hours after paying a $10 fee. $5 goes to bike maintenance, and the other $5 are returned to the renter if “bikes are treated nicely.” To denote the bikes, all the bikes have their top tube sprayed yellow. Helmets and locks come with the rental.

University of Kentucky

Students: 191,292 undergraduates, 7,090 graduates Staff: 11,546

Wildcat Wheels: Free. Students can check out bikes for different lengths of time. They have separate programs for students and faculty. All bikes come with a lock, and some come with baskets.

Students can check out bikes from designated bike shop hours. Faculty and staff can rent bikes from the Departmental Blue Bike program for up to one semester. They have a campus bike shop located in one of the basements of their dorms. People can come and work on their personal bikes as well as come to get free


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Helmets are not provided

repairs done.

University of Washington (Seattle, Washington)


Electric Bike Rental Program: 40 electric bicycles were made available, at a price of $200,000 for the university. They hold charge for about 25 miles;

The university received money from the State department to fund pilot program. There are 4 kiosks across campus. It could be advisable for rice to search for alternate funding sources for a joint program such as this one with the State Department.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)


Blue Urban Bikes: There are multiple hub locations on campus and around the community at local businesses. Students can purchase membership online;

The university works closely with local businesses on this program, as the school needs approval from businesses before placing a hub near their establishment

Automated Hub Programs:

The final category of these programs is the automated hub program, which is most

advanced type of community bike program. Here, users are allowed to check-out a bicycle from

an automated, unattended rack by using personal identification. There are many benefits to this

type of program. First, the manner of individual accountability plays a great role in the success of

such a program. Therefore, the problems of stolen bikes and vandalism are greatly diminished.

Furthermore, through the use of wireless tracking, those in the community always know where to

go to find a bicycle. And finally, the maintenance and number of individuals required to keep the

system running is minimized. As the program is usually computerized, the use of human capital

is greatly minimized.


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There are, of course, drawbacks to implementing an automated hub program. Such an

endeavor can be quite expensive, as these technologically advanced computerized tracking

systems can be quite expensive. Furthermore, there is the problem of availability: if a rack is full,

users must go to another rack to find a bicycle. And finally, depending on traffic patterns in the

community, those running the program may be required to redistribute bicycles to empty racks

when this is necessitated.

Institution Population Description of Program

Implementation

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Undergraduate: 30,895 However, the population of students able to use this program is restricted to residents, staff, and guests of the Allen Hall (residential hall).

The pilot program started near one residential hall, and is known as the “Allen Hall/Unit One Pilot Program”. It follows three basic principles: free, simple, and automated. Have started with a pool of 30-40 donated bikes.

Each bike is numbered an matched to a unique U-lock. The key is stored in key cabinet within the residence hall. Residents, staff, and guests of Allen Hall able to access the keys and bikes by swiping their University i-Cards, opening the cabinet and removing whatever key(s) he or she might want to use. Each key will be tracked by the Project computer, allowing system administrators to track who has each bike and for how long they have had it/them.


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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RICE

When executing a community bike program at Rice, we recommend that implementation

occur in three phases beginning with (1) a non-automated hub programs at a residential college,

then a (2) non-automated centralized hub program at Tudor Field House and finally (3) several

automated self-service hubs. Based on our research of several university bike programs and our

general understanding of how change is made at Rice University, we believe that a progression

from a simple low-investment bike program to a high-tech costly bike program must be

conducted in steps, with the first type of program serving as a pilot study. Initially, the onset of

the program will require little to no startup cost and any issues that we failed to consider will be

brought to the forefront. We recommend, especially until a more permanent bike program is set

in motion, constant assessments of the programs functionality by the Bicycle Committee. Any

changes that need to be made should be incorporated as the program advances. The details of

our proposal are explained below.

Stage 1: Colleges

Although our ultimate program goal is to implement an automated fee-for-service bicycle

program on the Rice University campus with a card-swipe system, our team projects that the

most logical method of producing these results requires a 3-tier staged system. These 3 tiers will

produce a program that evolves over time to eventually achieve our program goal.

The first of these 3 stages is a free bicycle lending program available to all Rice

University students through their respective residential colleges. Bikes for this proposed system

will be donated or gifted to the University either through RUPD or from the community and will

then be dispersed evenly amongst each of the residential colleges. Therefore, each college will be

allotted a certain number of bikes that it may lend to students on a needed basis. Furthermore,


31

because bikes will be gifted to the colleges themselves, they will be responsible for housing the

bikes in a central location easily accessible to their students.

In order to eliminate costs that might be generated in this trial system, bikes will be

secured in a non-automated fashion. As such, individual colleges will be responsible for securing

their allotted bikes when not in use. Therefore, colleges will also need to keep record of what

individuals borrow bikes to prevent theft or loss that might hinder the program. Another means

of minimizing costs will be to set up a relationship with a local bike shop that will provide free

repairs to damaged bikes. Moreover, it is important that each college be provided with a waiver

form that borrowers should complete to cover any liabilities associated with bike borrowing.

Stage 2: Non-automated hub

The non-automated hub stage would continue with the onward progression of the bike

program at Rice University. This stage would thus be an intermediary step from the simple

college system to a more complex automated tracking system. Here, the bikes would continue to

be provided by RUPD and community donations. However, one would also examine the

feasibility of purchasing bikes to add to the growing number of vehicles put into circulation for

student use. Furthermore, this stage would involve the implementation of a nominal fee, as

further funds would be required to keep the more advanced system in running order. However, in

keeping with student wishes expressed in the student survey, this fee would not exceed more

than twenty dollars.

Specifically, the non-automated hub stage would involve students checking out a bicycle

from an actual person at the Rice Recreation Center (now known as the Tudor Fieldhouse). To

do so, said individual would need to present a valid Rice University identification card to the

person who would be in charge of keeping track of the bicycles in the program. Furthermore,


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said individual would need to sign both a waiver form and a registration form to keep track of

who uses said bicycle. Although this may be a bit time-consuming, it allows for greater tracking

of the bicycles, as well as ensuring that the university is not held responsible in the event of an

accident.

This particular stage in the progression of the program would also attempt to create a

work-study position for the individual (or individuals) who would be in charge of handing out

the bicycles at the Recreation Center. In doing so, the program would not only have the obvious

benefit of providing bikes, but would also give back to the community by providing employment

to current Rice students.

The Rice Recreation Center (now known as the Tudor Fieldhouse) would be

advantageous in this stage of the program for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we have

been informed that this building is planning to be a central location for handing out recreational

equipment, such as canoes.20 Therefore, it would not be entirely unreasonable to ask for a desk to

be implemented which would hand out bikes as well. In addition, the Tudor Fieldhouse will be

the premier sports center on campus. As such, it is very reasonable to locate the bike program

center at said facility.

Stage 3: Automated and Self-Serve Hubs The ideal program for Rice University would be to have an automated program in which

any student, staff and faculty member could rent a bike for themselves by simply swiping a Rice

issued member card. A member card could be obtained through the police station or the Rice

Recreation Center. There would be a flat initial fee for sign up, and subsequent damage and late

fees. The easiest method to carry out such an automated program would be to talk to a supplier,

such as the Public Bike System. The details of this program are further mentioned in the 20 Information from Richard Johnson.


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Alternative Bike-Products section. One of the major advantages of this automated hub program is

that the stations or racks for the bicycles are completely solar-powered as well as RFID wireless.

Both of these concepts tie in well with the green purpose of our bike program. These stations are

modular and mobile, meaning there is no need to build permanent infrastructures or undertake

massive cable connections, all of which can have negative impacts on the environment. Another

great advantage to this program is that since these bicycles are traceable, the possibility for theft

is largely decreased. Theft has been a problem for many past bicycle programs and has even

caused programs to fail. One example is in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in which all 300

bicycles were stolen on the first day of operation. For a program at Rice University, patrons will

be required to swipe a member card in order to rent a bike for two days. Damage fees as well as

late fees are then charged upon return of the bike. Thus, users are responsible for returning

bicycles in a timely manner, which insures that bicycles remain in constant circulation. Users

will also be charged for any damages to the bicycle. This places responsibility on each user,

deterring theft and vandalism. A member card also insures that only approved members can use

the program. An example of such a program is in Montreal, Canada. The number of bicycles and

stations as well as where the stations will be can be evaluated upon analysis of previous

programs. RFID wireless technology helps to record usage of bicycles and traffic in designated

areas. The best advantage of this system is that it is completely streamlined from start to finish.

Representatives from the Turkney System by the Public Bike System are responsible for station

installation and system start-up. They are available to train work-study individuals in station

maintenance as well as bicycle maintenance. They also supply customizable branding of

individual components, which can make the bikes on campus truly Rice University bicycles.

They even have local partners that help with upkeep of the system. Such a partnership would not


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only allow a bicycle program to be installed quickly, but would also insure a lasting bicycle

program for Rice University.

Appendix 7: Bicycle Repair Shop Draft Plan

A Community Bicycle Shop at Rice University - Draft Plan -

Updated: 5 October, 2007 Purpose/Objectives: Promote bicycle transportation on and around Rice University by providing inexpensive

bike repair and used bikes in a do-it-yourself atmosphere. Hopefully this bike shop can engender a bike literate community while students are at Rice, as well as post-graduation.

Given that the United States is the largest contributor to greenhouse gases globally, promoting bicycles as alternative transportation to automobiles can provide at least a step in the direction of curbing our emissions. Bicycles are a sustainable as well as affordable means of transportation. Furthermore, President Leebron has signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, commiting Rice to becoming more sustainable.

The shop would be non-profit: the shop would simply aim to break even financially. Provide very limited sales service (only essential parts such as brake and gear shifter

cables, tubes, etc.). Provide additional sales services based on available space and demand. Because of our non-profit business structure, items could be sold at near-wholesale prices, a great benefit to the Rice community.

Provide tools for students/faculty/staff use, to be used in the bike shop. Recruit volunteers to facilitate bike repair. The focus will be on bike owners learning to

do the basic repairs necessary to keep their bike in good shape (or at least running!) Of course, the experienced volunteers at the shop could perform more difficult tasks (e.g.,

true wheels) The shop would suggest that people patronize nearby bicycle shops (perhaps by selling

advertising space to these companies in order to raise funds) and learn more about bikes (as well as volunteer at) Workshop Houston (Houston’s community bike shop). Of course, one could always purchase parts at other bike shops and install them at the Rice bike shop.

Oversight: A number of options are available. The bike shop could be a club or possibly a resource center (like the Women’s Center) or run as a not-for-profit business like the Coffeehouse or Valhalla. The most fitting option currently appears to be running the bike shop as a stand-alone entity (cf Valhalla). Importantly, oversight should ideally be composed of undergraduate as well as graduate students that would provide a sustained presence as well as a diversity of opinions during the ongoing decision-making process. A two manager system may work well for the bike shop. The managers would have a one year appointment and be in charge of overseeing volunteers, and day to day activities. How the bike shop would be financed: Students working at the bike shop would be volunteers (as at Valhalla). Thus, a minimal amount of money would be required to staff the shop. An emphasis on self-teaching and a do-it-yourself attitude will, however, also limit the funds coming in to the shop. In addition, abandoned bikes may be obtained from RUPD, which can be salvaged


for parts and rebuilt to redistribute to Rice students. There are also a number of internal Rice funds that may apply to these kinds of activities (i.e., bike shop): Envision Grant President’s Programming Fund Student Activities Fund, etc.

As well as local non-profits and businesses that can be approached for tools, parts, advice, etc.: Third Ward Community Bike Shop (now Workshop Houston) Bicycle World of West University

Functions performed by and programs run at the bike shop: Provide support services for Beer Bike Provide support services for the Cycling Club Collect bikes from RUPD for resale to the Rice community, or use in the Earn-a-bike /

Community bike programs Provide information on bicycle safety, local bicycle routes, and bicycle activities

(organized bike rides, races, etc.) Provide experience for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff,

in bicycle repair Host clinics and events to promote bike awareness and technical skills Earn-A-Bike Program (for customers): One can learn how to do disassemble a bike, do

certain repairs, build a bike, and earn a bike by completing this process. Bike recipients would not be charged, and would receive guidance during the process. This kind of program is run successfully at our local community bike shop (Workshop Houston), along with others.

o Step 1: Break down a bike – Take apart a whole bike, and put all bike parts away. These bikes to break down will be gathered from the RUPD. Most bikes will need to be taken all apart anyway, and this is a way for people to familiarize themselves with the guts, if you will, of a bike.

o Step 2: Learn essential bike maintenance techniques – (A) Patch a hole in a tube. (B) Replace a tire. (C) Etc. (D) Etc.

o Step 3: Get a bike – After step 1 and 2, choose a bike (i.e., frame) and build up bike to keep.

Earn-A-Bike Program (for volunteers): Similar to above program, but volunteers only need to put in a certain number of hours (i.e., 100 hrs) prior to receiving a bike for free.

Community Bike Program: Following the lead of other universities and cities, a number of bikes (e.g., 100) could be painted a certain color (e.g., yellow) and left around campus where Rice students/faculty/staff could use the bikes. Access to bikes would ideally be free, but a small charge could be applied, or possibly a deposit, which one could get back when the bike is safely returned at any number of locations. Other Community Bike Programs:

o Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX, USA (http://www.southwestern.edu/magazine/back-issues/17_1/parents.html)

o Hoge Veluwe National Park, The Netherlands o Library Bike Program, Arcata, CA, USA (http://www.arcata.com/greenbikes/)


A website to help disseminate information, as well as host tutorials on bike maintenance, information on local bike routes, etc. It could also allow students to schedule and get quotes for bike services.

Questions one might ask thus far – and answers to them: 1. Where would the bike shop be located? Wouldn’t it require a lot of space?

Fortunately, there are a number of potential locations to seek out. The new rec center may be a fruitful place to look, as well as one of the new colleges (Duncan, McMurtry). Though as a “bare bones” repair shop, little space would be required, but the bike shop could use as much space as it could find, as the amount of services, bike parts, and bikes offered will scale with the space the shop has. To be a good resource for the Rice community, the shop would ideally keep on hand many bikes, some that will be useful only for parts, others for rebuilding. Storing these bikes, as well as the tools, is what will require the most space.

2. How would volunteers learn more bike repair skills to better guide bike shop patrons? Volunteers working at the shop could do some training with Workshop Houston for a fee.

3. How would people get info on when it will be open, where it is located, and other info? A website would be created to facilitate communication of events, prices, location, hours,

etc. 4. Do other universities have bike shops?

Actually, there are many universities with bike shops, even some approaching the smaller size of the Rice student body. Here are some examples: Harvard University University of California, Davis: The Bike Barn, bikebarn.ucdavis.edu/ Oberlin College: The Oberlin Bike Co-op, www.oberlinbikecoop.org Washington University at St. Louis

5. To whom do I address my comments, questions, and suggestions? The bike shop movement at Rice has just begun. Thus, it is important that you voice your concerns, ideas, etc. now. Just as important as positive statements are comments suggesting that a bike shop is not needed at Rice. That is, the bike shop may not move forward if one, there is not sufficient positive support, or two, there is enough comments suggesting the bike shop is a bad idea. I appreciate all comments; it is critical that people tell me what they think. Thanks! See below for contact info.

Contact: Scott Chamberlain, [email protected], ext. 3858, Anderson 119


bicycle safety committee – recommendations

Documents