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University of Wyoming

 

Walking and Wheeling at UW
 


 

Bicycle and Non-Motorized Transportation on the UW-Laramie campus

 

Common Sense and Courtesy Go a Long Way!

It’s a busy day, class just got out and several thousand students need to hustle to the next class. Some walking, some wheeling on bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, or wheelchairs—everyone has a place to go and only a short time to get there. It’s a hectic scene and the mix of pedestrians, bikes, and other means of wheeled transportation can get downright dangerous unless everyone uses a bit of common sense and courtesy. And just what does that mean? If you’re on wheels take it slow and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. If you hit someone, there’s a good chance that at least one of you will get hurt, and you can bet you’ll be even later for class.

The purpose of the UW Alternative Transportation Program is to promote an environment in which pedestrians and non-motorized transportation can safely coexist. Bicycles, skateboards, and rollerblades are an efficient, environmentally sound way to get around campus, and we encourage the safe and courteous use of alternative transportation.

 Skating and Biking Policy

BICYCLISTS, PLEASE RESPECT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE WHO CAN’T GET AROUND AS EASILY AS YOU CAN!

Many faculty, staff, students, and visitors on campus have disabilities which limit their hearing, vision, or mobility. They may not be able to see or hear you approach, or be able to quickly move out of the way of a speeding bicycle. Their safety depends on your courtesy—when passing pedestrians, please bear this in mind!

Railings are provided on stairs and near the entrances to many buildings to help people with disabilities get into those buildings. People with visual impairments use them as a guide to the door, and people with limited mobility use them for support and balance. Bicycles chained to access rails effectively block people from being able to get into buildings. People with disabilities have been injured in falls over carelessly placed bicycles. Even under the best of circumstances, it can be a challenge for people with disabilities to get around campus—please don’t add to their difficulty. Never chain a bike to railings.

 

SKATING AND BIKING POLICY:

The use of bicycles, skateboards, and rollerblades shall be allowed only as a means of transportation on the walkways and other travel ways on the UW-Laramie campus. Anyone using a bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblade on UW property shall give the right of way to any pedestrian and shall travel at a reasonable, safe, and prudent speed.  Under no circumstance will bicycling, skateboarding, rollerblading be allowed on ramps, curbs, benches, steps, or stairs and any other such structure. The use of bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades is not permitted inside any building. 

The use of motorized skateboards, motorized scooters, and mini-motorcycles is strictly prohibited on all pedestrian pathways of the UW campus.

VIOLATION:

Violators of this policy are subject to fines and/or impoundment of transportation devices.  If the fine is not paid and the property is not claimed within ninety (90) days, the bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades will be subject to public sale. Enforcement is administered through the University of Wyoming Police Department.

DEFINITIONS

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning.

A. “Bicycle” - means a device upon which any person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain, or gears, and having one or more wheels.

B. “Skateboard” – means a non-motorized device consisting of two or more wheels affixed to a platform or footboard upon which a rider stands and which does not have steering capability similar to that of a bicycle or brakes which operate on or upon the wheels of the skateboard.

C. “Scooter” – means a non-motorized device consisting of two or more wheels affixed to a platform or footboard upon which a rider stands and which does have steering capability similar to that of a bicycle or brakes which operate on or upon the wheels of the skateboard.

D. “Rollerblades or Roller Skates” – means any device consisting of a shoe with three or more small wheels attached to it, upon which a person may ride, that is propelled by human power.

E. “Stunt Riding” – means any use of a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or rollerblades for non-transportation purposes, including but not limited to jumping stairs, sliding along rails or landscape features, or any other activity in which the wheels leave the ground.

F. “Impoundment” - means towing, storage, and/or immobilization  of any bicycle, skateboard or rollerblades/roller skates.

G. “Immobilization” - means the placement of a securing device onto the bicycle to prevent its use, pending identification of the owner.

H. “Dual-Use Area” - means a pathway upon which both bicycles and pedestrians are permitted. Pedestrians always have right-of-way in dual use areas.

I. “Registration Decal” - means University of Wyoming issued decal that is the uniquely numbered adhesive sticker supplied as evidence of bicycle registration, and designed for attachment to the registered bicycle as indication of its registration.

J. “Motorized Bicycles” - for the purpose of these regulations, mopeds or motorized bicycles are considered motorcycles.  See University Parking Rules and Regulations.

K. “Regulatory Sign” - means all traffic control devices, signs, signals, and markings, placed or erected for the purpose of regulating, warning or guiding traffic and parking.

L. “Dismount Zone” – means and includes all areas of the University posted for no bicycle riding and marked with ground graphics and /or “Dismount” signs.

GENERAL REGULATIONS

A. All bicycles operated by University of Wyoming students, faculty, and staff must be registered with the UW bicycle registration program and all bicycles must display a valid registration sticker. Proof of registration of the bicycle with the City of Laramie will meet the requirements for university registration.

B. Pedestrians have the right-of-way on all sidewalks and walkways.

C. Every person riding a bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades shall exercise due care and reasonable caution to prevent injury to others, to self, or to property. 

D.   Stunt riding or other acts or maneuvers which may endanger the bicyclist, skateboarder, rollerblader or others or damage property is strictly prohibited.

E.  Every person riding a bicycle is required to obey the same traffic regulations as the driver of an automobile. This includes obeying all stop signs, yield signs, red lights, and other traffic signals specific to this campus. State and local traffic laws pertaining to bicycles are in full force and effect on University property.

F.  No person shall park, store or leave a bicycle in such a manner as to cause said bicycle to block or otherwise impede normal entrance to or exit from any building on campus, or in a manner that constitutes a safety hazard. Parking a bicycle in any manner which creates a hazard or impedes access will be subject to immediate ticketing and impoundment.

G. Bicycles parked on campus must be parked in an approved bicycle rack. 

H. Bicycle equipment shall comply with the Laramie City Municipal Code Chapter 10-32.  A light shall be used when a bicyclist is traveling at night.

I. The person to whom the UW bicycle registration sticker is registered is responsible for any non-moving violations of these regulations and the associated fines in which the bicycle is involved.

J. Counterfeiting, altering, defacing, or transferring the registration sticker to another person or bicycle to whom the registration sticker is not issued, and/or giving false information in any application or hearing are in violation of Wyoming law and will be investigated as a criminal matter by the University of Wyoming Police Department.

K.The University assumes no responsibility for the care and protection of any bicycle, attached accessories, or contents at any time. However, bike theft prevention information is available through the University of Wyoming Police Department.

 BICYCLE REGISTRATION

A. Decal Fees

1. The one-time registration fee is $5.00 and is valid until the bicycle changes ownership.  Proof of registration of the bicycle with the City of Laramie will meet the requirements for university registration.

B. Registration Procedures

1. UW bicycle registration decals are available through the University of Wyoming Police Department, University TransPark Office, or through Vending Services.

2. The bicycle registration card must be completed and the serial number must be inspected by a member of the University of Wyoming Police Department, University TransPark Office, or the Vending Services.

C. Display of Decals

1. Registration decals shall be attached to the bicycle as to be easily visible.

ACCIDENTS

All accidents involving a bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades involving a motorized vehicle are subject to a police investigation, if required by law, and should be reported to the University of Wyoming Police Department at 766-5179.  Bicyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers may be subject to a county or municipal summons in these cases. 

VIOLATIONS

The following are considered violations:

A. Moving Violations

    1. Operating a bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades in a careless manner on bike paths, dual-use areas, and/or roadways, without due regard to safety with respect to visibility, local traffic, weather, and surface conditions, or in a manner that endangers the safety of any person or property - $35.00 fine.

    2. Failure to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a dual-use area or roadway - $25.00 fine.

    3. Operating a bicycle on any University property posted as dismount zones – 25.00 fine.

    4. Failure to obey parking and traffic control devices, signs, and/or equipment - $25.00 fine.

    5. Failure to register a bicycle and display decal as required by these regulations - $10.00 fine.

B. Parking Violations

1. Parking outside any bicycle rack, including:

a. Parking in any way which represents a safety hazard, including but not limited to blocking any service drive, building entrance, driveway, bikeway, ramp, or locked to hand railings or any other passageway to which emergency equipment, wheelchairs users, pedestrians or service equipment may need access - $35.00 fine.

b. Parking on or locked to trees, plants, or other living objects, fences, posts, signs, trash receptacles, and light fixtures - $25.00 fine.

C. Other Violations

1.   Bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades used for stunt riding on university property - $50.00 fine. Bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades are also subject to impoundment.

2.       Providing false information/identification - $50.00 fine.  Violators may also be subject to criminal penalty.

3.       Disobeyed a police officer - $50.00 fine.

4.       Use of any unauthorized motorized vehicle, including but not limited to motorized scooters and mini-motorcycles - $50.00 fine.

IMPOUNDMENT/IMMOBILIZATION

The University or University Police officials authorized to remove and impound a bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades shall not be liable to the owner of the bicycle for damage or the cost of repair or replacement of any securing device.

Any bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades impounded pursuant to any section of this chapter shall be stored in a secure facility designated for such purpose by the Chief of Police. A ten dollar ($10.00) fee shall be charged to the owner prior to the release of any impounded bicycle. This impound fee is in addition to fines for other violations.

Release of an impounded bicycle, skateboard, or rollerblades requires an appeal or proof of payment of outstanding citations. Unregistered bicycles must be registered prior to release.

Any University of Wyoming Police Officer, or other person authorized specifically by the Chief of Police may move, relocate, or impound any bicycle by removal of securing devices or immobilization as necessary which:

A. Blocks or otherwise impedes traffic in any street, highway, roadway, path or sidewalk, stairway, or handicapped access rail, or creates any safety hazard.

B. Blocks or impedes normal entrance to or exit from any building on the University.

C. Appears to be abandoned.

D. Has been reported stolen to a law enforcement agency.

E. Impedes performance of maintenance or construction to University property.

F. Bicycles locked to trees, plants, or other living objects, fences, posts, signs, trash receptacles, and light fixtures are subject to immobilization, pending identification of the owner of the bicycle.

OTHER SANCTIONS

In addition to the issuance of a Bicycle Violation Notice violators may also be referred for appropriate University discipline within their constituency groups for repeated violations, personal conduct or other issues of concern.

PENALTIES AND APPEALS

A. Collection and Payment of Fines

1. Fines for bicycle violations are payable in person at the Cashier’s Office in Knight Hall or by mail to:

University of Wyoming
Dept 3903, Knight Hall Room 170
Laramie, WY  82071

2. Any fine shall constitute a debt owed to the University and be subject to collection. This could include, but is not limited to, payroll deduction, withholding of transcripts, and denial of registration privileges.

B. Appeals

1. Appeals must be typed or neatly written, with citation attached, and submitted to the Traffic Appeals Committee within ten (10) days of the date of the violation. Appeals can be dropped off at the University of Wyoming Police Department or mailed to Dept. 3124, Laramie, WY 82071. Requests for personal appearances are only granted at the discretion of the Appeals Committee.

2. The Committee shall either grant, deny, or table each appeal within fourteen (14) days of the date it is filed and shall send written notification of such action to the person concerned.

3. Fines for appeals which have been denied must be paid within ten (10) days of the date of the letter informing the appellant of the action of the Traffic Appeals Committee.

INDEBTEDNESS

A. In addition to any other provisions of these regulations, any violator who incurs any monetary indebtedness to the University of Wyoming will have that indebtedness treated as any other bill due and owing to the University.

B. Students will be billed for delinquent fines and billing fees. Students must clear their accounts before they are permitted to register for the next semester, or in the case of graduating students, before they receive their diploma or copies of their transcripts.

C. Faculty/staff members will be billed for delinquent fines and can expect to have any unpaid amounts withheld from their paychecks.

D. Unpaid charges incurred by others may be turned over to a Collection Agency following normal billing procedures.