Walking and Biking

Bicycle Safety

Bicycling is a convenient, healthy, and sustainable way to travel around campus and throughout the Durham community. Whether you are riding to class, commuting to work, or biking for recreation, safety should always come first. Riders are encouraged to follow traffic laws, use proper safety equipment, secure their bicycles, and remain aware of their surroundings at all times.

Ride Safely on Campus

When biking on campus, please ride at a safe and controlled speed, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Riders should slow down near sidewalks, crosswalks, building entrances, residence halls, parking lots, and shared-use paths.

Bicyclists should always yield to pedestrians and use caution when riding near campus shuttles, buses, service vehicles, and parked cars. Avoid weaving through walking areas or riding too closely to pedestrians.

Follow Traffic Laws

Bicycles are considered vehicles and should be operated responsibly. Riders should obey all posted traffic signs, signals, and campus roadway rules. When riding on the street, travel in the same direction as traffic and use hand signals when turning or changing lanes.

Always stop at stop signs and red lights. Look both ways before crossing intersections, driveways, and parking lot entrances.

Wear a Helmet

A properly fitted helmet is one of the most important pieces of bicycle safety equipment. Riders are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet every time they ride, even for short trips across campus. A helmet should sit level on your head, fit snugly, and be fastened securely under the chin.

Be Visible

Visibility is important, especially when riding early in the morning, in the evening, or during poor weather conditions. Riders should wear bright or reflective clothing when possible. Bicycles should be equipped with a front white light and a rear red light when riding in low-light conditions.

Reflectors, reflective gear, and lights help drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists see you more clearly.

Lock Your Bicycle

Bicycles should always be locked when not in use or when they are not under the owner’s close supervision. We recommend using a sturdy U-lock, which may be purchased at the campus bookstore. When securing your bicycle, be sure to lock both the front wheel and the frame to the bike rack.

To help prevent theft of bicycle parts, such as seats and wheels, riders are encouraged to replace quick-release levers with more permanent bolts or locking hardware.

Use Campus Bike Racks

Bicycles should be parked only at designated bike racks. Do not lock bicycles to trees, railings, signs, benches, ramps, stairways, or building entrances. Improperly parked bicycles may block pedestrian access, create safety hazards, or interfere with ADA-accessible routes.

Bike rack locations can be found on the campus bike path map.

Check Your Bike Before Riding

Before each ride, take a few moments to check that your bicycle is safe to operate. Make sure the tires are properly inflated, the brakes are working, the chain is secure, and the seat and handlebars are properly adjusted.

A quick pre-ride inspection can help prevent accidents, mechanical issues, untimely breakdowns, and costly repairs.

Ride Prepared

Riders are encouraged to carry basic items such as a bike lock, helmet, water, identification, and a phone. For longer trips, consider bringing a small repair kit, spare tube, tire levers, or a portable pump.

Plan your route before riding and use designated bike lanes, trails, greenways, and shared-use paths whenever possible.

Report Safety Concerns

Students, employees, and visitors are encouraged to report damaged bike racks, unsafe riding areas, blocked paths, or other bicycle-related safety concerns to Transportation and Parking Services.

For questions about campus biking, bike rack locations, upcoming biking events, or bicycle safety resources, please contact Transportation and Parking Services.

The Durham Bike and Hike Map highlights popular routes for bicycling, walking, and hiking throughout Durham and the surrounding area. This resource can help students, employees, and visitors identify safe and convenient paths for commuting, recreation, and exploring the city.

The map includes routes that connect neighborhoods, parks, trails, greenways, downtown Durham, and other local destinations, making it easier to plan trips by bike or on foot.

Bike Racks on Buses 

Getting around Durham and NCCU’s sloping hills and verdant greens has never been easier. Riders can expand their transit options by bringing their bicycles along for the ride. Bike racks are available on all GoDurham buses, with space for up to two bicycles per bus. This makes it easier to combine biking and public transit for trips to, from, and around campus.

This program is designed to improve your transit experience, and we want to hear from you. Please share your feedback with Transportation and Parking Services as we continue working to support safe, convenient, and sustainable travel options.

1. Before loading your bike, remove large bags, panniers, water bottles, and any loose items that could fall off while the bus is moving. When waiting at the bus stop, stand beside your bicycle rather than sitting on it so the driver can clearly recognize you as a passenger.
2. When the bus arrives, alert the driver that you will be loading your bike. Always load your bicycle from the curb or directly in front of the bus. Do not step into oncoming traffic to load your bike.
3. To lower the bike rack, squeeze the handle to release the latch and fold the rack down. You only need one hand to release and lower the rack, allowing you to hold your bicycle securely with your other hand. Do not lean your bike against the bus.
4. Lift your bike onto the rack and place the wheels into the labeled wheel slots. Each slot is marked for the front wheel. Use the available slot closest to the bus first, as this helps make unloading easier.
5. After your bike is in place, raise the support arm up and over the front tire so the hook rests at the highest point of the front wheel. The support arm provides added stability and must be used every time a bicycle is loaded onto the rack.
6. Once your bike is secure, board the bus and enjoy the ride. Choose a seat near the front of the bus so you can keep an eye on your bicycle.
7. Before exiting at your stop, remember to unload your bike from the rack. New riders often forget their bicycles, so be sure to check before leaving the bus.

1. As you approach your stop, let the driver know that you will be unloading your bike. Exit through the front door of the bus and unload your bicycle from the curb or directly in front of the bus. Do not unload your bike from the street side.
2. Raise the support arm off the front tire. The support arm will automatically fold down into a secure position.
3. Lift your bike out of the bike rack carefully.
4. If there are no other bicycles on the rack, please return the rack to the upright position by squeezing the handle and folding the rack back up.
5. After unloading your bike, step away from the bus and move safely to the curb. For your safety, wait until the bus has pulled away before entering traffic or crossing the street.

1. When waiting at a bus stop with your bicycle, stand near the bus stop sign as the bus approaches. This helps the driver recognize that you are waiting to board.
2. For safety reasons, bus operators cannot leave the bus to assist with loading or unloading bicycles. Riders are responsible for loading, securing, and unloading their own bikes.
3. Please use the available rack position closest to the bus first. Bicycles are accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of one bicycle per person.
4. Load your bicycle as quickly and safely as possible to help keep the bus on schedule for all passengers. After placing your bike on the rack and securing the support arm, give the bike a gentle shake to confirm that it is properly in place.
5. Bicycle locks may not be used while bikes are mounted on the bus rack. Riders are responsible for keeping an eye on their bicycles during the trip. Bus operators are not responsible for monitoring bicycles while the bus is in service.
6. Most standard bicycles with wheels larger than 16 inches in diameter can be placed on bus bike racks. Tandem bicycles, recumbent bicycles, motorized bicycles, and bicycles that do not fit securely on the rack are not permitted. Items that protrude from the bicycle, such as flags, poles, or oversized attachments, are also prohibited.
7. Folding bicycles should be folded and carried onto the bus. No other bicycles are permitted onboard.
8. If you notice a problem with the bike rack, notify the bus operator and wait for the next bus. The bus operator has final authority to determine whether a bicycle can be safely carried on the rack.
9. If the bike rack is full and no bicycles are being removed, please wait for the next bus, lock your bicycle at the nearest permanent bike rack, or ride your bicycle to your destination. Do not lock bicycles to bus stop signs, poles, benches, trees, railings, or other non-designated areas.

Did you know? Bike racks are also available on all GoTriangle and GoRaleigh buses.