Bicycling & Pedestrian Safety
Safety Tips: Bicycling
- Obey all traffic signs and signals; bicyclists have all the rights and duties of any other vehicle driver.
- Wear a helmet
- Ride with the traffic. Never ride against traffic (remember: Ride With, Walk Against)
- Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and crosswalks; give an audible signal before overtaking a pedestrian.
- Arm signals are required before turning. Learn them, and use them.
- Bicycling on sidewalks that aren’t designated as bicycle areas is prohibited.
- Campus bike lanes are one way only.
- Watch for dismount area signs and walk your bike in those areas.
- Be safer by being visible. Wear light-colored clothing and use lights and reflectors.
- Use a rearview mirror. The more you can see, the fewer surprises you’ll encounter.
- Lock your bike!
- REGISTER YOUR BIKE with UB Parking & Transportation (see below)
Register Your Bicycle
Don’t forget to register your bicycle with UB Parking and Transportation Services! Bicycle registration is free! Register now and receive your UB Bicycle Stickers:
- A registered bicycle deters theft and aids in recovery/return if stolen.
- Owners of registered bicycles can be contacted if their bicycle needs to be removed or was impounded. Bicycles may be impounded if they are impeding construction, vehicle or pedestrian traffic, or emergency vehicle access.
- Any clearly abandoned bicycle will be tagged with a written warning and impounded by the University after 30-days.
- Any impounded bicycle unclaimed after 90-days will be donated to charity.
- Bicycles locked to trees, signs or light poles will be tagged with a reminder to lock to the nearest bicycle rack.
- When locking your bicycle, a U-lock is recommended. Never lock bicycle by the front wheel only, include the frame and wheel within lock.
Bicycling Resources:
Buffalo Blue Bicycle 
Good Going Western New York
League of American Bicyclists
New York Bikes
Bicycle Safety
Bike Safety for College Students
Safety Tips: Pedestrians
- Always cross the street in marked crosswalks.
- Stay away from traffic after drinking alcohol or when taking medication that causes dizziness or blurs vision. Call a cab if necessary.
- When walking after dark, carry a flashlight and wear retro-reflective materials that outline the human form.
- In foul weather (rain or snow), allow extra time and distance for a vehicle to stop. Do not let umbrellas or jacket hoods block your view of approaching traffic.
- Always look left-right-left before and during crossing.
- If your view of approaching traffic is blocked by something, move to where you can see (e.g., outside edge of a parked car), stop and look left-right-left again.
- Watch out for cars backing out of parking lot spaces.
- Where sidewalks are available, use them.
- Where sidewalks are not available, walk facing traffic and keep as far to the left of the roadway as possible.
- At intersections, scan over the shoulder for turning vehicles. Make eye contact with the driver of a stopped car while you are crossing in front or in back of it -- make sure that the driver knows you are there.
- Do not be foolhardy and step in front of a moving vehicle, thereby forcing the driver to stop to avoid hitting you, even if you have the "right of way." Be alert and use good common sense.