Ten Tips for Bicycle Safety and Security on Campus and Beyond
Whether you’re commuting to a lab, racing to a lecture, or just hunting for the best coffee on University Ave, the bike is the undisputed king of campus life. But before you mount your noble steed and pedal off into the California sunshine, let’s talk shop. In a place nicknamed "Nerd Nation," the smartest thing you can do isn't solving a differential equation—it’s getting from point A to point B without a trip to the ER or the lost-and-found. From outsmarting bike thieves to mastering the "head on a swivel" technique, here is your essential guide to riding safely and stylishly in the Farm’s fast lane.
Senior Health Educator, Mental Health & Well-Being
Well-Being at Stanford
Helmet: The best helmet is the helmet you will wear. You don’t have to spend a lot of money but get one that looks nice and fits well. Figure out how to properly adjust the straps and the device that tightens around the back of your head. Helmets have long been fraught with the stigma of how they make you look/what they connote about your coolness but remember… you do work/study at “Nerd Nation.”
Braking: Always use both brakes at the same time, engaging them slowly. If you brake only with your front brake (70% of your braking power) you risk flying over the handlebars (not fun, believe me). If you brake only with your rear brakes (only 30%) this may throw you into a skid, especially on gravel.
Hand signals: Ever get frustrated with drivers who don’t use their turn signals? Well, the same is true for bicyclists, so use hand signals to alert drivers and others to your intentions. Do an internet search for bicycle hand signals and start using them. This courtesy will be appreciated by all.
Bike Lane/Bike Boulevards: Palo Alto and Mountain View have some of the best designated bike lanes (Have you seen the separated green lanes on El Camino?) you will find anywhere in the world. Use them. When you have a choice, bike on roads/path with fewer or zero cars. Cars can’t hit you if they are not around.
Head on a Swivel: Just like we are taught in driver’s education, we should be constantly checking each side and the rear especially as we approach an intersection. If you have neck issues (First off, get a bike or handlebars that allow you to sit more upright), purchase a rearview mirror that mounts on your helmet, glasses or handlebars.
Locks: Sadly, if a bike thief is committed then any bicycle/electric vehicle is vulnerable to theft. For now, U-shaped locks are still the best deterrent. These can get quite expensive and are totally worth it depending upon the cost of your bike/EV AND even the least expensive u-lock is a good deterrent. Some high end chain lock are equally good and are easier to wrap around your front tire.
Lock Front Wheel: Have you noticed bikes on the racks around campus missing a wheel? Especially if you have a “quick-release” lever/skewer on your front tire, purchase a u-lock or heavy duty chain (you will know it is quality because it is HEAVY) that is large enough to encompass 3 things: the bike rack, the bike frame and your front wheel. Hopefully your u-lock comes with a cable (never use a cable all by itself) because you can use that to secure the rear wheel.
Overnight: Avoid parking your bike at any train stations overnight. Ideally one should avoid parking a bike ANYWHERE outside overnight but, of course, this is unavoidable especially for students who live on campus.
Lights: Get a good set of bike lights (white in the front and red in the rear, just like a car) because it is very hard to see bicyclists in the dark. USB chargeable lights are a bit more expensive but then you won’t have to buy and replace batteries.
Buy Used: It is not hard to find a quality used bike online and at certain retailers (Ask me!) Buying used is a great sustainability practice AND if you bike has some scratches/does not look new it may be less interesting to bike thieves
Ride Safely and HAVE FUN!