Bicycle Safety Educational Efforts at Stanford
Bicycle safety is a top priority at Stanford -- from students, faculty and staff to Stanford’s many visitors. To promote bike safety, Stanford’s bicycle program (part of Parking & Transportation Services) offers incentives, classes, and outreach to educate our community about the importance of bicycle safety, such as the rules of the road, properly maintaining and equipping one’s bicycle, and wearing a bicycle helmet for every ride.
On this page:

Bicycle Safety Classes
- In partnership with Stanford’s Department of Public Safety, Parking & Transportation Services co-hosts bicycle safety classes twice a month.
- This class also serves as a Bicycle Citation Diversion Class for bicyclists cited at Stanford, enabling them to take the one hour class in lieu of paying a fine.
- More than 70 classes have been held since Fall 2008, reaching more than 2,300 bicyclists.
- Guest speakers provide personal and expert testimonies on the importance of wearing a helmet and bike safety
- Bicycle Safety Class program description and registration information
- Bicycle Safety Class flyer
Bicycle Safety Pledge
- Bicyclists at Stanford are encouraged to commit to wearing a helmet and following the rules of the road for every ride through the Stanford Bike Safety Pledge.
Bicycle Safety Stations
- Every Friday, the bicycle program hosts a Bicycle Safety Station from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at White Plaza.
- Bicycle program staff register bikes, conduct bicycle safety checks, provide bicycle safety “rules of the road” and free ID card handouts, and answer questions about bike safety and riding on the campus.
- Stanford departments and groups can request a free onsite Bike Safety Station, which includes a staffed information table, bike safety information, and bike registration.
Bicycle Safety Repair Stand
- The bike safety repair station offers free tools to enable bicyclists to make minor repairs and pump up their tires, making it more convenient for the campus community to maintain their bicycle for bike safety. Multiple tools are securely fastened to the rack, which also serves as a bike stand.
- The bike safety repair station is located at the intersection of Galvez Mall and Escondido, with a second location planned near the School of Medicine.
Bicycle Helmet Promotions
Bicycle Safety Online Quiz
- Stanford developed an online quiz to enable those who bike (or want to bike) to test their knowledge of bicycling and bike safety, and learn in the process.
- Take the Bicycle Safety Online Quiz
Bike to Work Day
- Stanford staffed eight Stanford Energizer Stations around campus, which included bike safety information and bike safety signs for bike commuters.
Outreach to Students
Free Bicycle Safety Lights
- In 2009-10, the bicycle program has given away more than 2,600 free bicycle lights with bike registration.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
- Parking & Transportation Services participates in numerous New Student Orientation (NSO) events to provide bicycle registration, bicycle safety information, to inform students about the laws to obey when riding, and to encourage students to wear bike helmets for every ride.
- All new students received a free headlight when registering their bike at NSO events.
- Stanford’s bicycle program incorporates bicycle safety information in NSO materials distributed to students.
- Specific groups have been reached to encourage bike safety at Stanford, including Resident Advisors, new medical school students, the School of Engineering, Law School, and Bechtel International Center.
- Visit the bicycle information page created for new students.
Student Dorm Bicycle Safety Roadshows
- The bicycle program offers interactive bicycle safety presentations, which includes bicycle laws, riding on campus, and the importance of wearing a bike helmet for every ride.
- As many as 15 dorms are reached per quarter.
- Bike Safety Dorm Roadshow informational flyer
Bicycle Safety Invention Challenge
- In partnership with Stanford’s Biodesign program, Parking & Transportation Services launched Stanford’s first Bicycle Safety Invention Challenge in fall 2008. The competition challenged Stanford students to invent solutions to mitigate bicycle injuries. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel, including bicycle industry leaders, and received cash and bicycle-related prizes.
- The Stanford Report featured the story
- Visit the Bicycle Safety Invention Challenge website
Student-to-Student Education
- Three part-time students work for the bicycle program throughout the year.
- Their role is peer-to-peer education, as they assist with the bicycle safety road shows and campus events to outreach to students with bicycle safety information.
Bicycle Safety Mascot
- Stanford’s bicycle program mascot is Sprocket Man, a bicycle safety superhero.
- A Stanford student dons the Sprocket Man costume to help reach the campus bicycling community with safety information.
- Stanford’s website features Sprocket Man comics to promote safe riding and following the rules of the road.
- Visit Sprocket Man’s webpage
Communications
- Stanford Report and Stanford Daily articles
- Posters and signs, including designs tied to event themes (Valentine’s Day “Love Your Brain” promotion, “Bike the Yellow Brick Road” event, and more)
- Stanford Parents Newsletter
- Video testimonials featuring Dr. David Spain, Chief of Trauma for Stanford Hospital, discussing the dire consequences of brain injury, and Randy Livingston, chief financial officer and vice president for Business Affairs, who survived a bike crash while riding.