Purdue regulations require
registration of campus bikes
By Luis Jiménez
Summer
Reporter
Owning a bicycle at Purdue may prove both practical
and necessary to travel across campus, but bikers should also be aware
that a bicycle also carries responsibilities.
One of the first few responsibilities students
should be aware of is their bike registration. Registering one's bike
is mandatory under Purdue Bicycle regulations for students, faculty
and staff.
Ron Fosnaugh, captain of special services at the
Purdue Police Department, said students have to register their bikes
because of several reasons.
First of all, Fosnaugh said, the recovery rate
of a registered bike if stolen, is higher than that of an unregistered
bike. The police department facilitates the bicycle registration process
by setting up remote registration sites at the residence halls when
classes begin in August. Students also can ride their bike to the department's
headquarters at 205 South Intramural Dr.
According to police records, there have been 23
cases of stolen bikes so far this year, which accounts for an estimated
$8,211 in private property. The records show there's been 75 to 84 bicycles
stolen each year since 1997. However, Fosnaugh said the recovery rate
of these bicycles "is not very good, since we don't have all of our
bikes registered."
Those who do not register their bikes could be
ticketed and fined. Their bike could also be impounded for unpaid fines,
Fosnaugh said.
In addition to registering their bike, students
should observe and obey all applicable laws and ordinances on campus.
The university provides bike paths in campus as well as bike lanes in
high-traffic streets such as Grant Street, so riding on the sidewalks
is not permitted unless otherwise posted.
Fosnaugh also said bikers could be ticketed if
improperly parked. There are several designated racks for bike parking
throughout campus. Blocking wheelchair-accessible ramps or chaining
bikes to handrails or trees could lead to a $15 parking ticket, he said.
Owners are held responsible for removal costs and fines.
Fosnaugh also said registering bicycles allows
police to have a more precise number on how many bikes are on campus.
"Is more of a customer service issue," he said.
Remember to lock your bike.
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