Bike, Scooter & Pedestrian Safety

Know safety. Know the rules. 

 

The bicycle and scooter registration process has changed! Visit ParkND and follow these instructions.

Personal Electric Vehicles

E-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards are great ways to get around campus. The University requires the safe operation and parking of all scooters on campus.

Anyone operating an e-scooter on University property must agree and adhere to the responsible use and safety guidelines and the Personal Electric Vehicle Waiver, Release, and Indemnification Agreement.

Registration Instructions

 

Bike Safety

Bike Safety/Laws

• Wear a helmet each time you ride a bike, setting a good example for others.
• Make sure your bicycle is functioning properly before riding it.
• Pay attention to your surroundings.
• Don’t wear earbuds/headphones/AirPods when riding your bike.
• Stunt riding, trick riding or free styling is not permitted on University property.
• Ride as close to the right side of the road as practicable, but take the lane when necessary to make yourself visible or to avoid dangerous

• Observe all traffic laws. 
  • Stop at stop signs and red traffic signals. 
  • Don't ride the wrong way on one way streets. 
  • Always ride with the flow of traffic.
• Use hand signals to indicate upcoming turns and stops to other riders and drivers.
• ​Ride in a predictable manner, avoid weaving in and out of parked cars.
• ​Equip your bike with front and rear lights to increase visibility.
• Operate bicycles safely and courteously; follow university rules and state laws.
• Damaged or un-repaired bikes may not be stored or parked on campus.
• Parking is available throughout campus at designated bicycle racks only. 
  • Do not lock bikes to any tree or plant shrub. 
  • Do not park bikes or secure bikes to any entrance/exit ramp, stairway, or stairwell railing.
  • Do not lock bikes to anything other than bike racks. Do not block any exit or entrance to a University building or in any areas prohibited by signs.
• Bicycles parked or stored in violation of regulations may be removed and impounded at the owner’s expense.
• Abandoned, unsecured or unregistered bikes may be impounded at owner’s expense.
• All bicycles need to be removed after commencement. Any summer session students must register for a special permit to keep their bicycles on campus throughout the summer. All bikes left without a summer session permit will be considered abandoned and may be donated to charity or disposed of.
• Violations of bike rules may be cited as a violation of the University Traffic and Parking Regulations.

 

Crime Prevention

• Bicycles and scooters are frequently targeted by thieves. Help prevent theft: Properly lock your bike. A U-Lock type lock is the recommended lock
• Registration with NDPD and proper permitting of bicycles, scooters, and Personal Electric Vehicles is required. Registration is free and can be done online or in person.

Online Registration Instructions

Faculty, staff, and students must register and request a permit by completing the following steps: 

1. Log in to insideND.

2. Search for “ParkND.”

3. At the top of the screen, using the drop-down menu, click “Permits” and “Get Permits.”

4. Select permit type “Bicycle/E-Scooter Permit”, then click "Next"

5. Click "Add Bicycle/Scooter"

6. Enter the identifying information:

   1. Type: “Bike/Electric Bike” OR “Scooter/E-Scooter”

   2. Manufacturer: [brand of Personal Electric Vehicle]

   3. Serial number: [serial number of Personal Electric Vehicle]
      *If you cannot locate the serial number or if the serial number is illegible, bring your bike/scooter to Hammes Mowbray Hall to register in-person.

   4. Color: [primary color of Personal Electric Vehicle]

7. Upload a legible photo of the serial number.

8. Proceed through the screens until your receive a confirmation of your permit order.

Upon registration, the Notre Dame Police Department will verify the information, process the permit accordingly, and notify the faculty, staff, or student that their permit is either ready for pick-up or has been mailed to their campus address.

If you have any questions or experience issues with registration, please stop into Hammes Mowbray Hall or send us an email and we will respond as soon as possible.

 

Pedestrians

Pedestrian Safety

• Walk on the sidewalk.
• Cross only at marked crosswalks and intersections.
• Look left, right, and left again for traffic before crossing.
• Use pedestrian push buttons and obey “walk” and “don’t walk” signals.
• Make eye contact with drivers, and never assume that they see you.
• Be aware of your surroundings and always look out for your own safety
• Whether on or off campus, be aware of your surroundings each time you walk.
• Don’t be a “tech zombie” and be distracted by your electronic devices. 

 

HAWK Crosswalks

There are currently three HAWK crosswalk signals on campus, on Douglas Road northwest of campus by St. Michael's Dr., on Douglas Road northwest of Juniper Road, and on Twyckenham Drive, east of campus, south of Courtney Lane. 

HAWK signals were developed by the city of Tucson, Ariz., in 2004. They have since been installed by many other states and in Washington, D.C.. There are also HAWK crosswalk signals at other major universities. 

By installing the HAWK signal, the University is bringing proven technology to the campus area to enhance pedestrian safety. Studies have shown that more than 90 percent of motorists properly yield to pedestrians in crosswalks using HAWK signals. It will be more effective at increasing motorist awareness of pedestrians in the crosswalk.

When not in use, the HAWK traffic signal is dark to motorists, and a solid orange raised hand indicating “Don’t Walk” is displayed for pedestrians. When a pedestrian pushes the crosswalk button, motorists see a flashing yellow signal for several seconds. After the flashing yellow interval, the traffic signal displays a solid yellow — much like a conventional traffic signal — alerting motorists to get ready to stop.

Much like traditional traffic signals, the walking person symbol soon changes to a flashing orange hand with a countdown display showing the number of seconds left to cross the street. As with all pedestrian crossing signals, pedestrians should not start crossing the street if the flashing orange hand and countdown timer is showing. During this time, drivers see alternating flashing red signals, like at a railroad crossing signal. When the flashing red is displayed, drivers may proceed after stopping if there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk.

The cycle ends with the flashing red signals going dark and the solid orange raised hand shown to pedestrians until the next pedestrian pushes the button.

Watch a video on how to use a HAWK crosswalk.

Report a Good Catch or a Near Miss

Looking to report a "Good Catch" (near miss) safety concern? Complete the Safety Incident Reporting Form.

For more information regarding Incident Reporting Management, contact Risk Management & Safety or visit their website.