With the arrival of the first snowfall, many cyclists have chosen to retire their bikes for the winter. But for those members of the campus community affected by the transit strike, the cycling season may still be going strong.
Director of Campus Police Elgin Austen offers the following tips for ensuring the safety of both you and your bicycle during the winter months:
- Avoid riding your bike to campus when conditions are slippery.
- Use front and rear lights on your bicycle.
- Wear reflective attire.
- Wear proper cycling attire that keeps you warm and dry and enables you to see clearly.
- Take advantage of the USC Bike Check program and Parking Services’ bike locker rentals to securely lock your bike
- Avoid parking your bike in non-sanctioned areas.
USC Bike Check program
Operating in the UCC gymnasium from 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Friday, the USC’s Bike Check program is a free service open to all staff, students and faculty on campus. The program functions like a coat check service, offering cyclists an identifying tag in exchange for their bike.
It’s a secure, dry alternative to outdoor bike racks, according to Paul Tomlinson, Manager of Building Services for the USC.
“We’re going to continue running the free Bike Check program as long as the LTC strike continues,” said Tomlinson, who oversees the program.
“We want to ensure people have a safe, dry place where they can store their bikes.”
Bike locker rentals
Covered bike lockers are available for rent through Parking Services.
The lockers are located outside the Support Services Building and North Campus Building as well as on Concrete Beach. Rental rates are $40 for four months, $80 for eight months and $100 for 12 months.
To rent a bike locker, contact the Parking Office by emailing parking@uwo.ca or calling 519-661-3973.
Snow removal and bike safety
Manager of Grounds Maintenance and Waste Management Jim Galbraith warns that some bike racks will be moved to accommodate snow piling. Cyclists may need to find new parking spots for their bicycles.
However, he advises strongly against locking your bike to non-sanctioned structures.
“My greatest concern is when people use handrails and light standards to lock their bikes,” said Galbraith.
“Bikes take up nearly two feet of the sidewalk or pathway they’re on, making it very hard for snow removal vehicles to plow around them. The bikes might impede our vehicles, or our vehicles might damage the bikes.”
Austen says that, to accommodate snow removal, Campus Police is often forced to cut off locks and remove bicycles parked in unsanctioned locations. He estimates that every winter they remove an average of 25 bikes.
For more bicycle safety links visit Safe Canada.ca