Biking Regulations on Campus

MSU Bike Rules & Other Information

Our rental bikes are supplied with an MSU bike permit, lock and key and should be locked whenever they are not in use. Riders are expected to obey all relevant traffic laws, as well as MSU's bicycle ordinances.

We advise riders to also get familiar with the MSU bike impound rules explained on this page which contains other important official info. about bicycling at MSU. (Note: our rental bikes are not exempt to any of the rules).

Riders are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. Other bike safety info. and tips are on this page. Bike permits are free, good for 2 years and can be applied for online via this page (click on this link to login and register your bike for free).

Advantages to registering your bike: Establishes your ownership of your bike if it were stolen and you need to prove it's yours. Other times when proof of ownership is important: if you break your key in your lock (VERY common problem especially in the winter months) or lose it the MSU Police will cut it off but only if you prove ownership. Avoid getting impounded. This is just one of the requirements, but it's the most important when bikes are getting impounded. Easier to ID your bike if it does get stolen.

Some other safety & general tips for bike use around campus:

- Since bicycles aren't legally allowed to ride sidewalks on campus if you get hit by a car crossing via a ped. crossing the bicyclist will be in the wrong & possibly ticketed; the same would be true with other bicycle/ ped, bicycle/ skater accidents on sidewalks. In general car drivers don't look for cyclists on sidewalks & most bike/ auto accidents happen at sidewalk/ cross-road/ drive intersections.

- Pedestrians have right-of-way; give extra room to peds talking on their cell-phones. Ring your bell or give a verbal warning like "Passing on your right" when passing them.

- Bikes need to be locked to bike racks to be "legal" on campus; no trees, fences, etc. or they might get impounded by DPPS.

- U-locks are the strongest locks but should go thru the back wheel and bike frame to the rack to be effective; don't lock just the front or rear wheel to a rack since a thief can simply loosen the wheel and take the rest of the bike. Check out this photo gallery of how to/ how NOT to lock your bike.

- If your bike gets a flat or develops any other mechanical problem come to our Center for a free estimate and a full range of repair services year-round. Click here for more information.