Parking operations cautions cyclists

With cold weather on the horizon, bicycle traffic on campus is peaking for the fall. However, most bicycle use here is illegal, according to Indiana state law, Bloomington city code and the IU parking operation code governing the responsibilities of bicycle owners. \nParking Operations Manager Doug Porter encourages students to learn and practice parking operation policies, or risk having to take the time to bail out their impounded mopeds, motorcycles and bicycles. \n"All bicycle owners are suppose to get a bicycle permit for five dollars, to be displayed on the bicycle, locked in space designated for bicycle parking," Porter said. "You can order one online, or come into the Parking Operations office at Franklin Hall, room 006." \nPorter said students should also know mopeds are perceived as small motorcycles and not large bicycles; as such, all motorized bicycles, mopeds or motorcycles have to be registered with parking operations. \n"A moped has no business with the bike rack. Parking for mopeds and motorcycles is available across from Ernie Pyle Hall in front of the Indiana Memorial Union," Porter said. "It's convenient to the center of campus, and offers owners plenty of space between each other."\nBut many bicyclists like IU graduate Jorge Rios are unaware of parking operation policies.\n"A $5 fee is ridiculous; who does that?" Rios said. "Oh great, [this] sounds like another way for the University to screw over students." \nWhen registering a bicycle with Parking Operations, students must fill out paperwork identifying the bicycles serial number in case it's stolen. Many students like senior Katie Bauernfreund unknowingly break the law every time they bicycle on campus. \n"I usually ride it on the sidewalk, unless it's busy, and then I ride it on the street," Bauernfreund said. \nIU Police Department Sgt. Don Schmuhl recommends students learn and practice the Indiana laws and Bloomington city codes regulating bicycle use.\n"Bicycles must be on the street acting as motor vehicles. Bicyclists must stop at stoplights and stop signs, and they must obey one-way streets," Schmuhl said. "City ordinance prohibits bicycle use on sidewalks; pedestrians always have the right-of-way." \nPorter acknowledges the dilemma many bicyclists face when peddling to class.\n"The campus is crowded enough; the sidewalks are for people," Porter said. "Everyone should be aware what is going on around them. You can sense and hear a car. Bicycles are on you quickly." \nBauernfreund recognizes the potential struggle for sidewalk space many bicyclists and pedestrians face. \n"I usually let people know I'm coming through," Bauernfreund said. "I say excuse me." \nBicycle wrecks with pedestrians are not the only concern for cyclists. \n"I walk a lot, so I see the picture from both sides," Rios said. "People are normally decent, the problem is with drivers." \nSchmuhl recognizes the potential deadly resolution of bicycle and motor vehicle conflict.\n"If a bicycle gets struck by a car, the bicyclist usually loses," he said. "There is no seat belt holding you onto the vehicle. Very few bicyclists wear helmets." \nSchmuhl outlined the typical pattern associated with bicycle-vehicle crashes.\n"Injuries usually occur after the after the driver is ejected from the vehicle. He or she ends up landing on his or her head, and if not wearing a helmet, death and serious injury results," he said. "Bicyclists should trust no one, obey traffic laws, and defensively drive while wearing a helmet."\nWhen bicyclists make it to their destinations safely, parking operations outlines several suggestions for where students can safely park their bikes. \n"The tendency of bicycle riders is to head for their favorite door. If they can't find a rack, the find the next best thing," Porter said. "Someone has tried to attach [their bike] to everything standing still: stairwell railings, chain barriers, trash cans, light poles and even trees." \nParking operations will issue a $25 citation to bicycle owners who improperly park their bikes.\n"The only way to enforce [bicycle] code is to clip the lock and confiscate the bike," Porter said.\nHe also recommends students apply a healthy dose of WD-40 to their spokes if they find a bright-orange confiscation sticker attached to their bicycle. \n"The owner put the bike someplace it shouldn't have been," Porter said. "Consider it a warning for being in the wrong spot."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.