Safety Strategies: Walk/Ride/Drive Smart
Tips for Bicyclists
- Use reflectors, reflective tape, or similar devices on cycling shoes, fenders, belts, frames, pedals and handlebars.
- Keep to the right. Ride with traffic, not against it. By law, a bi cycle is a vehicle and must obey traffic laws.
- Use hand signals to indicate turning or stopping.
- Ride defensively.
- Use bike paths or bike lanes whenever possible.
- Walk your bicycle across busy intersections.
- Never race on public space.
- Avoid riding in bad weather.
- Avoid riding on trolley tracks.
- Perform regular maintenance checks.
- Wear appropriate clothing.
- Park your bike in an open, well-lit, frequently traveled area.
- Secure it properly with recommended chains and locks.
- Use bicycle racks, which are strategically located on campus.
- Register your bike with CampusExpress.
- DO not lock your bike onto trees or railings.
- Report any suspicious behavior you see around the bicycle racks.
University Bicycle Policy
NOTE: On public streets and campus paths, bicycles are vehicles and must comply with traffic laws. Cyclists and pedestrians share common University paths. To prevent injuries, common sense and courtesy are key. Bicycles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Pedestrian traffic is especially heavy on Locust Walk. As a result, the University has instituted the following policy: Between 8:30am and 5:30pm, Monday – Friday, bike riding is prohibited on the following walkways: Locust Walk, Hamilton Walk, Women’s Walk and Smith Walk. Bicyclists are required to walk their bicycles over the Locust Walk, Walnut Street, Paley and Weave footbridges (emergency personnel exempt).
Penn Bike Well
Video on Bike Helmet Awareness by James Cracknell:
A personal appeal: Use your head. Use your helmet.
Tips for Motorists
- Exercise caution when entering or leaving your car, especially in parking lots and garages.
- Keep windows up, doors locked, and keep your purse and other valuables in your trunk.
- Intersections and stoplights are common places for would-be attackers. Keep one car length between your auto and the auto in front of you. This gives you an escape route. Keep your car in gear, and if threatened, blow the horn in short repeated blasts and drive away.
- If you have car trouble, raise the hood and remain in the car with doors locked. If strangers stop, ask them to report your predicament to the police, but do not encourage their assistance.
Never pick up hitchhikers. - Never leave your auto registration, credit cards, and other important papers in the glove compartment.
- Use auto theft prevention tools.
- Do not mark your key chain with your name, address, and license number. Lost keys can lead a thief to your car.
A reminder: Parking on campus is restricted. Illegally parked cars will be towed. To obtain a Pennsylvania Learner’s Permit, Operator’s License or the Pennsylvania Drivers’ Manual, contact the Licensing Bureau of the Pennsylvania State Police, 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, 215-560-2398.
Tips for Pedestrians
- Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
- Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
- Keep alert at all times.
- Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
Safety Tips for Micromobility Devices
Micromobility devices include scooters and e-scooters, skateboards and e-skateboards, bicycles and e-bikes, mono-wheels, and more.
Wear your helmet, every time.
Slow down.
Park responsibly. Do not block egress or handrails. Always use a u-lock.
Practice good judgement.
Know how to operate your vehicle, practice for safety!
Scooter Safety!
Visit our scooter safety page!
- Wear a helmet
- Yield to Pedestrians
- Stay off sidewalks
- Use a bike rack and u-lock to secure
- Ride in bike lanes
- One rider per scooter
- Obey traffic laws
- Register your ride with CampusExpress
FIRE SAFETY
In line with the City of Philadelphia code, e-scooters, bicycles, and other micromobility devices are not permitted inside of Penn Buildings due to fire safety and emergency egress concerns.