Bicycle Safety and Security

Bike Registration

Registering your bike will help get your bike back to you if it is lost, stolen, or left on campus.

Western Bike registration

How to Lock a Bike

Locking your bike properly with a high quality lock is essential for keeping your bike safe.

How to lock a bike

Transportation Safety Net

Leave your car at home with confidence!

Transportation Safety Net

Several bike lockers sit next to a modern glass building, with evergreen trees in the distance.

Bike Lockers

Transportation Services rents bike lockers. They are located on the south side of Carver Gymnasium.

Rent a locker here.

Bikes at Residence Halls

All residence halls have bike parking for students.

Residence Halls with Indoor and Outdoor Bike Parking

  • Alma Clark Glass Hall
  • Beta Stack 5
  • Buchanan Towers
  • Edens Hall
  • Gamma
  • Mathes Hall

Residence Halls with Outdoor Bike Parking Only

  • Beta Stack 1-4, 6-9
  • Birnam Wood
  • Delta
  • Edens North
  • Fairhaven
  • Kappa
  • Nash Hall
  • Omega
  • Sigma

 

Abandoned Bikes

Bicycles locked improperly to structures that are not designated for bicycle storage and bicycles left on bike racks and in bike parking rooms after June are considered abandoned property. Bikes are tagged before they are removed by University Police.

Bike Laws

  • Bicycle Helmets - Currently, there is no Washington State law requiring helmet use. However, some cities and counties in Washington do require helmets. Bellingham and the rest of Whatcom County do not require bicyclists to wear a helmet; we recommend that you do.
  • Dead Red Law - If the traffic control signal fails to operate after one cycle of the traffic signal, the operator may, after exercising due care, proceed through the intersection. (RCW 46.61.184).
  • Riding at Night - When riding a bicycle in the dark, a white front light (not a reflector) visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector are required. We recommend using a red rear light in addition to the required reflector (RCW 46.61.780).
  • Riding on the Road - When riding on a roadway, a cyclist has all the rights and responsibilities of a vehicle driver (RCW 46.61.755). Bicyclists who violate traffic laws may be ticketed (RCW 46.61.750).
  • Riding Side by Side - Bicyclists may ride side by side, but not more than two abreast (RCW 46.61.770).
  • Safety Stop Law - A person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign shall either:
    • Stop completely before entering the roadway as a car would and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in or approaching the intersection.
    • Treat the stop sign as a yield sign by slowing down, such that the rider could safely stop if needed, and assuring there are no hazards in or approaching the intersection before proceeding. Cyclists must stop if other road users are present and have the right-of-way. (RCW 46.61.190)
  • Shoulder vs. Bike Lane - Bicyclists may choose to ride on the path, bike lane, shoulder or travel lane as suits their safety needs (RCW 46.61.770).

For more information, view the City of Bellingham or Washington State bicycle traffic laws.