Bicycles and Other Transportation Vehicles in University Buildings

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  • OBJECTIVE

    The University encourages the safe use and storage of bicycles on campus. The following policy prohibits the storage of bicycles, mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, or any other fuel or electric-powered vehicle/micro-mobility device in University of Florida buildings except as permitted by this policy. Reference to bicycle in this policy means any non-motorized bicycle including a unicycle and two or more wheeled human-powered vehicles. This policy is not applicable to university-owned electric-powered vehicles.

    POLICY

    The storage of bicycles in University of Florida buildings shall be prohibited in all areas except for private offices and designated bicycle storage areas (if provided within the building) and if approved by the dean, director, or his/her designee. Bicycles stored in private offices shall not block the means of egress from an office or prevent persons with mobility impairment from accessing public spaces within such an office. Bicycles shall not be stored in classrooms, labs, corridors, stairwells, conference rooms, and mechanical or electrical rooms at any time. Mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, or any other fuel-powered vehicle shall not be stored in any buildings unless specifically designed for such storage, such as parking garages, repair garages, or other designated parking areas within buildings.

    Electric-powered scooters, vehicles, or micro-mobility devices are prohibited from being stored or charged at any time within all Campus buildings, including, but not limited to, residence halls, classrooms, libraries, dining halls, administration buildings, and public/shared use buildings.

    Exceptions to these prohibitions may be made for medically necessary (i.e., electric-powered wheelchairs) equipment by contacting UF Environmental Health and Safety’s Building Codes Enforcement department.

    Outdoor Parking and Storage

    Privately-owned motorized or electric powered vehicles/micro-mobility devices must park at bicycle racks or designated parking areas and be secured with a lock in the same manner as bicycles. A map of campus bicycle rack locations may be found by visiting the UF Campus Map at https://campusmap.ufl.edu/ and checking the bike racks option in the Transportation map layer.

    Parking adjacent to or locking to campus structures or architectural elements, including but not limited to handrails, stairwells, trees, fences, bus shelters, benches, light poles, signage, or parking meters is prohibited.

    AUTHORITY

    Environmental Health and Safety’s Department of Building Codes Enforcement and the NFPA 101 (2018) Section 7.1.3.2.3, 7.1.10, and 7.1.10.2.1.

    RESPONSIBILITY

    Faculty, Students, Visitors, and Staff

    Faculty, students, visitors, and staff shall be responsible for following this policy on the restrictions set inside all University of Florida buildings regarding bicycles, mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, or any other fuel or electric-powered vehicle/micro-mobility devices. Violations of this policy shall be reported to the University Police Department (UPD). The University shall not be responsible if any bicycle or electric-powered vehicle/micro-mobility devices are stolen or damaged. The privilege of storing bicycles within an office may be revoked by Environmental Health &Safety (EH&S) or UPD if a bicycle blocks egress from an office.

    Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S)

    EH&S will investigate complaints about improper storage of bicycles. EH&S will respond to complaints and determine if storage blocks egress from an office. If it is determined the bicycle is in violation of this policy, EH&S will provide the owner with a written response detailing the violation and suggested ways to provide proper storage. A second notice of violation will result in the denial of the privilege to store the bicycle within the building. UPD will be given written notice of the violations.

    Mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles, or any other fuel or electric powered vehicle/micro-mobility device in University of Florida buildings present an extra hazard to the safety of building occupants. EH&S will immediately notify UPD of illegally parked or charging of motorized vehicles and will request immediate removal of said vehicle or electric powered device.

    University Policy Department (UPD)

    UPD shall enforce this policy by removal of an illegally stored bicycle at their discretion. In cases where the bicycle blocks access to a corridor, stairwell, ADA access ramp and/or any handrail, UPD shall immediately remove the bicycle. UPD may at their discretion attempt to contact the bicycle owner prior to removing it. All bicycles removed under this policy shall be stored at the UPD impound lot or other area designated by them. Bicycles maybe reclaimed using UPD’s normal procedures. Bicycles not reclaimed shall be disposed of using established procedures by UPD. UPD and the University are not responsible for damage to a bicycle or locking mechanism if it is determined by them that the bicycle is in violation of this policy and must be removed.

    Illegally parked mopeds, motor scooters, motorcycles or any other fuel or electric powered vehicle/micro-mobility device shall be removed by established parking regulations. All bicycles, motorized vehicles or electric powered vehicles/micro-mobility devices are subject to all traffic rules and regulations.

    The University of Florida Police Department does provide free registration which is strongly encouraged to ensure proof of ownership in case of theft, impoundment, or other similar reason.