Parking Services

Why does the university have to manage bikes?

Maintaining a safe, effective and accessible transportation system is top priority for Parking and Transportation Services and the University of Idaho. Managing bicycle parking on campus will ensure disability and pedestrian safety and access, protect landscape elements, and improve aesthetics of campus.

Isn't this program discouraging bike use? Shouldn't the university be promoting bike use?

Safety and accessibility must be maintained. This program is requiring bike riders to use designated bike racks. We are currently identifying bicycle improvement projects - areas to add more racks or covered racks. Getting all bike riders to park in racks will help us to understand the demand for bike parking and then make appropriate improvements in specific areas. This will help us promote bike use.

There are no bike racks near my building - there are not enough bike racks on campus, where am I supposed to park my bike?

There is an adequate amount of bike parking on campus. It may not be right at the entrance to buildings. Click here for a map of bike rack locations. We recommend you choose the next closest bike rack to your destination.

We are identifying bicycle improvement projects currently and will be standardizing all bike rack types (removing wheel bender bike racks), and looking for areas to install new bike racks.

Will PTS be impounding bikes that are parked outside of bike racks during the fall 09 semester?

We will be using the month of September to educate new constituents to the University of Idaho about the bicycle parking rules on campus, and remind those who are returning to campus. Beginning in October, we plan to fully implement the bicycle management program, involving impoundment of bikes parked outside of designated bicycle racks.

Campus Bicycle Rules and Regulations

For the purpose of these regulations, a vehicle operated manually with the turn of pedals and no motor is considered to be a bicycle. All Moscow city ordinances/codes, Idaho state laws, and university requirements apply to the operation of bicycles on university property. It is the responsibility of the bicycle operator/owner to understand and comply with bicycle rules, regulations, and laws on campus. The campus walkway system and pedestrian areas on campus are considered sidewalks for the purposes of bicycle safety and enforcement. Bicyclists riding on the campus walkway system should ride at "walk speed", stay in control and always yield to pedestrians. Parking and Transportation Services has been given the authority to manage bicycle parking on campus as outlined in the Administrative Procedures Manual and the University of Idaho Parking Regulations.

The campus bicycle management program includes: promoting bicycle safety, education and ridership, understanding supply and demand of bicycle parking, identifying bicycle amenities in need of improvements, and managing bicycle parking by actively enforcing campus bicycle parking rules and regulations.

Click here for additional bicycle resources and more details on the bicycle management program.

The purpose of managing bicycle parking on campus is to ensure pedestrian and disability safety and access, protect landscape elements, and improve aesthetics of campus.

Bicycles are to be parked in bicycle racks only. Attaching bicycles to any object other than a bicycle rack is prohibited.

Prohibited bicycle parking locations include any area that impedes, obstructs, congests or constricts access to the following:

• Building access points
• Emergency access routes
• Disability access ramps
• Disability railings
• Pathways
• Driveways
• Stairways and stairwells
• Hallways
• Loading docks

Prohibited bicycle parking locations also include, but are not limited to the following:

• Trees or other landscape elements
• Sign posts, meter posts
• Buildings or walls
• Fences or other structures

Bicycles parked in violation of these regulations should be reported to Parking and Transportation Services at (208) 885-6424, or email parking@uidaho.edu.

Impoundment of bicycles without warning may occur when a bicycle is parked in a manner that poses a safety problem, is obstructing access to or from a building, is obstructing access to or from a disability ramp or parking space, is obstructing access in a pedestrian area, or that may potentially harm vegetation on campus. It is at the discretion of Parking and Transportation Services as to whether a bicycle is parked in a harmful or obstructing manner, as mentioned above.

Bicycles parked in violation of prohibited bicycle parking locations but are not posing an immediate safety problem or obstructing access will be tagged with an impound notice. Bicycles that have been tagged, after 24 hours, will be eligible for impound if found parked outside of designated bike racks at ANY LOCATION on campus. If possible, an impound notice will be posted at the location the bicycle was parked.

When a bicycle is impounded the bicycle lock is cut and will no longer be useable.

Recovering an impounded bicycle. Impounded bicycles will be transported and secured at the Parking Office. Bicycles that are not claimed after 14 days from the date of impound will be turned into Moscow Police Department as found property. Recovering an impounded bicycle will require payment of a $20 recovery fee to Parking and Transportation Services. The individual must provide proof of ownership and correctly identify the bicycle being claimed. Photo identification and a recovery form must be completed and submitted to the Parking Office. The $20 fee is required to cover costs associated with managing bicycles on campus. 

Bicycle registration through the Moscow Police Department is strongly recommended for all bicycle owners. In the event a bicycle is stolen or lost, this will assist in relocating the bicycle and may also allow Parking and Transportation Services to identify and contact a bicycles owner prior to impounding a bicycle.

An abandoned or disabled bicycle, for the purpose of these regulations, is defined as the appearance that the bicycle has not moved from its location for an extended amount of time, or due to dysfunctional or broken parts, cannot be safely operated. This includes, but is not limited:

• No seat on bike
• Flat tires
• Bent rims
• Broken or no chain on bike
• Missing pedals
• Cobwebs, dust, grass or branches collecting or growing over the bike

It is at the discretion of Parking and Transportation Services as to whether a bicycle appears to be abandoned or disabled.

Parking and Transportation Services in conjunction with Facilities Services attempts to locate abandoned or disabled bicycles on campus throughout the year. Impound notices will be tagged on bicycles that appear to be abandoned or disabled. After one week from the date the notice was given, a tagged abandoned or disabled bicycle will be eligible for impoundment. If possible, an impound notice will be posted at the location the bicycle was parked. All impounded abandoned or disabled bicycles will be turned in to the Moscow Police Department as found property.

Bike racks located at University Housing locations will be checked for abandoned or disabled bicycles during the summer months only, in order to allow long-term storage for residents.

Bicycle locks that are reported to Parking and Transportation Services as being locked over an individual’s bike, making it impossible for the owner to remove his/her bike will be removed. The owner of the bicycle and lock that was removed will incur an impound fee of $20. Parking employees have the authority to remove bicycle locks for this reason when a request is received.

Bicycle locks are NOT allowed to be locked to bike racks when no bike is present. Locks found attached to bike racks with no bike present will be considered abandoned property and will be cut, removed, and disposed of by Parking and Transportation Services.

The university and/or Parking and Transportation Services are not responsible for damage to property incidental to the removal process. This includes cables, locks and bicycles that are removed for any reason.

Repeat violators of bicycle parking regulations will be subject to escalated fines and may be referred to the Dean of Students and/or Office of Risk Management.

Refer to the University of Idaho Administrative Procedures Manual Section 35.35.G. or Section 35.23.F. for more information on management of bicycles on campus.