Bicycle Registration and Safety

A pink bicycle locked to a bike rack and nearly buried in snow

Bicycle Registration and Safety

The primary function of the Bicycle Registration Program is to provide identification for bicycles stored on campus. Information on the registration can be used to locate the owner should a bicycle be found abandoned or recovered off-campus. Bicycle registration is provided free of charge to members of the Mount Holyoke College Community.

How to register a bicycle at ��ý

Any student, faculty or staff member who stores a bicycle on the Mount Holyoke College campus can register with Public Safety and Service. You can . Registration is free.

The information we will need for the registration process is the bicycle's make, color, number of speeds and serial number. The serial number is engraved on the bicycle frame (not on wheels, etc.) and is often located under the bicycle between the pedals.

Once your bicycle is registered you will receive a decal. Bicycle registrations have an expiration date, so be sure to remove any old decals before affixing a new one.

Why should you register your bicycle?

1. To Discourage Theft and Identify Your Bicycle

The information on the bicycle is kept on file at Public Safety and Service for several years, so even if a student has graduated and something happens to their bicycle, we will be able to provide their information on her bicycle if they can not locate its serial number, etc. Additionally, the sticker identifies the bicycle as belonging to someone who is at ��ý College, so if it is located by a law enforcement agency off-campus it is more likely to be returned to its owner.

2. To Prevent your bike from being Removed From Campus

Public Safety officers with some of the abandoned bikes left on campus — Public Safety officers with some of the unregistered or abandoned bikes found on campus.

Unregistered bicycles and those registered to students who have graduated are considered abandoned and are removed at the end of each academic year in order to make room for new registered bicycles. Storage space on campus is very limited, and removal of bicycles no longer being used is vital to assure that there is space for new bicycles. Bicycles are removed regularly; be sure to register yours to be sure it will be allowed to stay on campus.

There is not a limit to the number of bicycles you can register on campus. However, to be fair to other bicycle owners, we ask that you have no more than two bicycles stored on campus at one time so everyone will have room to store their bicycle.

Bicycle decals have an expiration date; check the date on your decal, especially if ownership has been transferred or if you took a leave of absence. If your decal is expiring, come in to obtain a free replacement decal.

Tips for bicycle theft prevention, safety and maintenance

While the beauty and rural atmosphere of the campus may make theft seem to be non-existent, unfortunately the campus is not completely isolated from the outside world. Every year we have an average of approximately 4 bicycles stolen. Many of the thefts are of bicycles that were unlocked or were improperly locked. The suggestions below are simple steps you can take to help prevent losing your bicycle. Always feel free to call us if you have any questions or need assistance in learning how to protect your bicycle.

Keep your bicycle locked at all times, and use a strong lock

Lock your bicycle even if you will only be away for a few minutes.
Public Safety and Service recommends a case-hardened U-type lock, which is harder to cut or break than chain and cable locks.
Use of weak or inexpensive locks will not deter a thief; spend the extra money now for a better lock to avoid replacing your bicycle in the future.

Lock your bicycle correctly

Be sure to lock the frame and the tires to the bicycle rack, not just one or the other.
Often, a thief will take a tire from one improperly-locked bicycle and the frame from another. The thief now has one fully-functional bicycle, and two owners now have only parts remaining to their bicycles.
If you have any parts attached with a quick-release mechanism, be sure to lock these to the frame and to the rack.
Lock your bike in a well-lit area if you use outside storage racks, and an area that can be seen well by passers by.
Lock bicycles securely in indoor storage rooms. Bicycles left outdoors, even if they are locked properly, are more vulnerable to theft.

Register your bicycle with Public Safety and Service

A sticker will be issued to anyone who registers their bicycle.
This allows the bicycle to be stored on campus during your tenure here, and also provides easy identification of your bicycle if it is stolen.

Participate in Operation ID

Operation ID is a nationwide community crime prevention program that deters theft and assists in the recovery of property by providing a means of identifying the owner. The Public Safety and Service Department will help you mark your valuable items. Call us for more information.

Report suspicious people to Public Safety and Service

If you notice someone "hanging around" a bicycle rack or if you notice suspicious people anywhere on campus, report this to the Public Safety and Service.

Keep records about your bicycle in a safe place

Record your bicycle's make, model and serial number and store this information in a safe place.
In case your bike is stolen, you will have this information available, increasing the chance of getting your bicycle back if it is located.
Safely store any sales receipts, when available, for proof of ownership, information on serial numbers, values, etc.

When operating your bicycle, be sure to wear an approved bicycle safety helmet.
Use proper lights and reflectors, and follow all bicycle operation safety rules.
Ride with traffic on the same side of the street.
Obey all traffic signs and signals.
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and do not operate your bicycle on sidewalks.
When operating at dusk, dawn or dark, be sure your bicycle is equipped with a functional white light in front and red light or reflector in the rear.
Wear reflective clothing.

Check your bicycle frequently for worn or damaged parts.
Regularly inspect and adjust the seat bolts, handlebars, brakes, reflectors, pedals, wheels, chains, tires and spokes.
Have your bicycle repaired or inspected by a professional if you are unfamiliar with bicycle maintenance.

Contact us

Department of Public Safety and Service

The Department of Public Safety and Service is committed to actively supporting, protecting and engaging with the community through mutual aid, harm reduction, conflict resolution and other best practices of safety and security.