Bicycle Registration and Safety
A bicycle, while a substantial investment, is a frequent object of theft. Registering your bike helps protect the bike and serves as a deterrent to would-be bike thieves. It also helps the police in identifying and returning a found or stolen bike to the owner.
The Tufts University Police has a bicycle security program that utilizes bicycle registration and provides numbered stickers for each participant. These stickers should be applied to the vertical post, just above the pedal sprocket.
Complete the Bicycle Registration Form and numbered tamper-resistant Tufts University Police registration sticker will be mailed to the address you submitted. Please affix the sticker to your bicycle as shown in the photo.
Bicycle parking is permitted only in designated areas on the Tufts Campus. Bicycles parked inappropriately, particularly in stairwells or on handicap ramps, will be ticketed and/or removed.
On-campus residents must register their bicycles with the University Police, and remove them from residence hall bike racks at the end of each academic year. Unclaimed bicycles and parts will be collected by the Tufts Police and donated to local charities.
Safety Tips
- Always wear a helmet.
- Learn, use, and obey traffic signals. Remember bikers must obey the same traffic laws as motor vehicles.
- If riding at night, use reflectors and lights.
- Give pedestrians the right of way.
- Ride defensively. Watch for cars and car doors opening.
- Do not weave in and out of traffic.
- Slow down at intersections. Look both ways before crossing.
- Keep your bike well maintained. A regular tune-up will ensure
that your bike is in good riding shape. - When you are not riding your bike, always lock it.
- When riding at night, make sure to wear reflective clothing and
have reflectors on your bike. A light on your bike is also highly recommended.
Lock It Up Effectively
- U-shaped bar and shackle locks are the most effective devices for preventing bicycle theft. Its efficient design and solid construction make it difficult to defeat by pry bars, hammers, freezing, hacksaws, and bolt cutters.
- For bicycles with quick-release front wheels, remove the front wheel and place the bike against a stationary object such as a bike rack. Then, take the front wheel and place it next to the rear wheel. Place the U-bar around the bike rack and the bike seat tube and through the two wheels. Attach the crossbar and lock it.
- For bicycles with bolt-on front wheels, place the U-bar around the bike rack and down tube, and through the front wheel. Use a cable lock for extra protection.
Tufts Bike Share Program
We wanted to make everyone aware of the biking laws (and your rights as a cyclist) in Massachusetts. When you ride on the road, you, as a cyclist, should be treated the same as any vehicle, and cars are obligated to share the road with you! Massbike has a full list of rights and responsibilities for bikers. This is a great resource to being a safe and courteous member of the road! Here are some of the main points from their list:
- Hand signals are a must, unless there is a need to have both hands on your handlebars (braking, steering, etc.)!
- Pedestrians always have the right of way. When passing a pedestrian, you must give an audible signal so they know you’re coming.
- With any accident you are involved in, you have to let the police know of any injuries and/or property damage.
- If you are biking at night, you are required to have a headlight that emits white light visible from at least 500 feet away and a red taillight that is visible from 600 feet away.
- You are required to wear a helmet if you are 16 or younger (but we suggest you wear one at all ages!)
- You are allowed to pass cars on the right
- You cannot ride on sidewalks in commercial areas