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Peterson Hill bike path

UC San Diego Bicycle, Skateboard and Scooter Guidelines

The UC San Diego Police Department enforces regulations that apply to the use of bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, roller blades, scooters and similar devices on campus.

To ensure community safety, never operate personal mobility devices at excessive speeds or in a reckless or unsafe manner. Do not exceed a speed of 8 mph on shared-use paths. Be aware of your surroundings as you may not be seen or heard by other vehicles and pedestrians. 

Policies, Rules and Regulations

Impounded Bicycles

To retrieve your impounded bike, contact the Bicycle Enforcement Officer, (858) 534-7335. You will be charged a $10 impound fee.

Bicycles

Biking is not permitted:

  • Where signs restricting it are posted, including the interiors of all buildings and the decks of Mandeville Center and OceanView Terrace
  • On Library Walk weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Park your bike so it:
  • Doesn't impede vehicle or pedestrian traffic
  • Doesn't block access to sidewalks, access ramps, parking lots, landscaped areas, doors, handrails, etc.
  • Is locked to a designated bike rack, not to a signpost, lamppost or other object

Prevent Bicycle Theft

Always secure your bike. Do not leave your bike unsecured against a wall, outside of your dorm/apartment or “hidden” in brush with the belief that no one will take it. Owners are responsible for properly securing their bikes to prevent theft.

Use a U-shaped, high-security lock. Certified U locks are solid steel and are difficult to cut. Cable locks are easy to cut and remove. The weight, material, and style of the lock can determine how strong and reliable the lock is against attempted theft.

Use your lock correctly. Secure both wheels and frame. Put the U-lock through the frame, not just the wheel. See how to park and lock your bike.

Only use designated bike racks. Secure your bike to permanent, anchored bike racks. Always secure your bike to a bike rack at a highly visible, well-lighted location. Never lock it to trees, handrails, posts or fences. You can view campus bicycle racks at maps.ucsd.edu by selecting Bike Routes > Bicycle Racks.

Secure your components and accessories. Quick release tires and adjustable bike seats are stolen easily. Never leave your valuables on your bike.

Register your bike. Keep a record of your bike’s serial number and manufacturer’s frame number. Take a picture of your bike for your records. Register your bike online.

Report suspicious activity. Remember that locks only deter theft. If you observe someone standing at a bike rack for a long time, walking with more than one bike at a time or carrying tools, such as a hand grinder or bolt cutters at a bike rack, contact UC San Diego Police immediately at (858) 534-4357.

Immediately report a bike theft. You can’t always prevent bike theft, but if your bike is stolen, you can help track it down. Ensure your bike is registered and immediately contact the Police Department if you think your bike has been taken. Contact our Dispatch immediately at (858) 534-4357. You can also file an online report.

Resources

Find resources for campus cyclists.

Skateboards

Skateboarding is permitted on paved surfaces on campus with these exceptions:
  • Campus roads and parking lots
  • Inside all campus buildings and on building decks, such as those at the Mandeville Center and OceanView Terrace
  • Library Walk and Geisel Library Forum
  • Price Center Plaza
  • Warren Mall, including pathways leading to and from it
  • Ridge Walk from the south edge of the Social Sciences complex to the north edge of the Institute of the Americas complex
  • Paths, walks and terraces at the SERF building, Pacific Hall and Sumner Auditorium
  • Concrete walkway south of Cognitive Science buildings
  • Warren College housing areas
  • The concrete ramp and concourse north of RIMAC
Roller skates, roller blades, scooters and similar devices are included wherever skateboards are prohibited.

Motorized Scooters

California Vehicle Code (CVC) 407.5(a) defines a motorized scooter as any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, has a floorboard that is designed to be stood upon when riding, and is powered by an electric motor. CVC 21235 mandates that all scooter riders in California:

  • Must wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet
  • Have a valid driver license
  • Ride on the road and remain off sidewalks
  • May not park scooters on a sidewalk in a position that blocks pedestrian paths

Drive defensively and use common sense. Motorized scooters are vehicles, not toys, operating on streets.