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UC Davis FAQ: Biking

This post is part of a series we're doing called "UC Davis FAQ" that addresses some of the common search engine queries that lead UC Davis students to OneGate. Read more about it in the first post UC Davis FAQ: Buying Textbooks.

What’s the freshman stripe? Is a BUI real? Do I need a bike light?

It can come as a surprise when you first set foot on the UC Davis campus just how many bikes there are. Everyone bikes. Students bike. Faculty members bike. Davis residents bike. Some people bike so much they don’t even have cars (there’s a whole page devoted to it on DavisWiki).

But just like cars, there are laws, rules, and guidelines for bicycling around Davis. It’s important to follow these in order to stay safe, keep others safe, and avoid hefty fines and generally annoying other bikers and pedestrians.

 

 

Bike Laws? There are laws for biking?

Indeed, there are laws for biking. One of the most commonly broken ones is failing to stop at stop signs. You aren’t allowed to bike on the sidewalk in downtown or in other areas where it says "biking prohibited". The City of Davis homepage has a page for the Davis Municipal Codes concerning bikes, and you can find links to state biking codes on the California Department of Transportation website.

The city of Davis website also has tips for bike safety, advising bikers to wear helmets and use hand signals amongst other good bike safety tips.

Can I really get a BUI?

Yes: you can get a ticket for biking under the influence. The penalty is worse if you’re under 21. The short of it is that alcohol impairs your judgment, slows down your reaction times, and just plain makes it more difficult to move around easily. So if you’re drinking, stick to hanging out at home and if you need to go anywhere, get a sober driver.

Do I have to use a bike light? Where do I get one?

Legally, yes you have to use a bike light. Sensibly, yes you should use a bike light, if only to avoid getting hit by cars. In reality, many people don’t. But that doesn’t make it okay. We highly recommend going to a bike shop, or even a place like Target, and getting a bike light. They are cheap and they are helpful. And if you don’t have one, you could get a ticket. Really, there isn’t a great reason not to use a bike light.

Just remember to take your light off your bike when you’re done riding, because if you don't, it probably won’t be there when you get back.

What’s the freshman stripe? How do I avoid looking stupid?

The Freshman Stripe is what Aggies fondly call the brown stripe of mud that some bikers get when it rains and they don’t have a fender on their back tire to prevent mud from flying off the tire up onto their backs. You can avoid the freshman stripe by buying a fender before the first rain, or by making one (2-liter plastic bottles and duct tape come in handy for this DIY craft).

Unfortunately, you’re probably going to look like a freshman during the first couple months no matter what, freshman stripe or no. If you follow biking rules, you’ll do better.

For other FAQ, check back here at the OneGate blog. Also check out OneGate for UC Davis!