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PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY

TRAFFIC BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

In an effort to promote safety, the UConn Police Department would like to remind the faculty, staff, students, and visitors of some important safety tips while walking, using crosswalks, driving, and bicycling on campus.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

  • If there is no sidewalk and you must walk on the side of the road, walk single file on the side facing oncoming traffic.
  • When walking at night, wear light-colored or reflective clothing.
  • Never walk behind a vehicle that is backing up.
  • Always check for cars entering or exiting parking lots and building entrances.
  • Keep the volume of your music at a level where you can still hear your surroundings.
  • Talking on a cell phone or texting while you walk is distracting and makes you less likely to recognize danger. Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • At night, walk on well-traveled and well-lit routes with a friend if possible.
  • Report any suspicious people or activity to the UConn Police Department by dialing 911.

PEDESTRIAN USE OF CROSSWALKS

  • Only cross the street at marked crosswalks.
  • Stop at the curb and look left, right and left again before you step into the street. If your view is blocked, move to where you can see.
  • If a vehicle approaches, make eye contact with the driver to ensure they stop before entering the crosswalk.
  • Look before walking past stopped vehicles. Be sure all lanes are clear.
  • Do not let an umbrella or jacket hood block your view of approaching traffic.
  • Remember “RIGHT TURN ON RED” and always check for turning vehicles.
  • Obey pedestrian signals.
  • If the intersection has a pedestrian signal, press the button and wait for the pedestrian signal to display the “WALK” indicator.
  • During bad weather allow extra time and distance for a vehicle to stop.

DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY AT CROSSWALKS

  • Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
  • Be prepared to stop at all marked crosswalks. Stay alert and reduce speed in areas with crosswalks.
  • Come to a complete stop if pedestrians are crossing or preparing to cross.
  • Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down at a crosswalk.

BICYCLE SAFETY

  1. Protect your head. Wear a helmet.
  2. Assure bicycle readiness.
    • Check all parts of the bicycle to make sure they are secure and working well.
  3. Ride wisely. Follow the rules of the road.
    • Bicyclists must follow traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles.
    • Always ride with traffic and obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings.
    • Use correct hand signals so others can anticipate your actions.
    • Yield to pedestrians and other vehicles, as appropriate.
    • Check for traffic by looking left-right-left before entering a street.
    • Control your speed.
  4. Be predictable. Act like a driver of a vehicle.
    • Ride with the flow of traffic, on the right side of the road, and as far to the right of the road as is practicable and safe.
    • Ride straight and do not swerve in a lane or in and out of traffic.
  5. Be visible. See and be seen at all times.
    • Wear neon and fluorescent colors.
    • Wear special clothing made from reflective materials.
    • Install bicycle reflectors or lights on both the front and back of your bicycle.
  6. “Drive” with care. Share the road.
    • Make eye contact or wave to communicate with motorists.
    • Be considerate and aware of motorists and pedestrians. Learn to anticipate their actions.
    • Pedestrians have the right of way.
    • Ride far enough away from the curb to avoid the unexpected from parked cars (e.g., opening doors or drivers pulling out without checking).
    • Keep control of your bicycle; look behind you while maintaining your bicycle in a straight path.
    • Look over your shoulder and, if possible, signal before changing lanes.
    • Books and other items should be securely attached to the bicycle or carried in a backpack.
    • Use bells, horns, or your voice to alert pedestrians and bicyclists that you are approaching or passing.
  7. Stay focused. Stay alert.
    • Never wear headphones.
    • Look for obstacles in your path.
    • Before going around any object, scan ahead and behind you for a gap in traffic, signal your intentions to move, and then follow through with your intentions.
    • Be aware of the traffic around you.
    • Use extra care when riding in wet or slippery weather.

For additional information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website at nhtsa.gov/Bicycles.