bike lane on Paint Branch Drive
Bike Safety  E-scooter & E-bike Safety  Driver Safety

BIKE LANE SAFETY

 

 For traffic management purposes, the University of Maryland Police Department may use the cycle track for vehicular traffic during large campus events. When the cycle track is being used for vehicular traffic please:

  • Follow instructions of the officers directing traffic.
  • Look for detour signs and adhere to other posted signage in the area.
  • Operate at slow speeds and yield to pedestrians. 

 

Bike Lanes Have Arrived!

The campus bike lane network is really taking shape, with several bike lanes now in place on campus:

  • A new north-south bike lane on Alumni Drive across Lots 1 and Z
  • A bike path running alongside the Purple Line tracks on Campus Drive and extending to Baltimore Avenue and
  • A two-way cycle track on Paint Branch Drive between University Boulevard and Regents Drive 

Whether you’re hitting the road on two wheels or four, it’s important to know how to navigate this infrastructure safely.

Tips for Bike Lane Success: 
  • Obey Stop Signs and Wait Your Turn: Having designated lanes for bikes and cars is no excuse for anyone to blow a stop sign. All road users should come to a complete stop at intersections and check carefully for pedestrians, bikes, or vehicles before proceeding.
  • Show Extra Caution Near the Entrance/Exit of Bike Lanes: These are potential conflict areas. Make sure you’re obeying speed limits and checking your blind spots for other cyclists or vehicles before turning or changing lanes.
  • Stay Alert: Don’t drive or ride distracted. Text messages or scrolling can wait. And don’t ride with headphones or earbuds on (it’s distracting and illegal!).
 
Ready to navigate the new Alumni Drive Bike Lane? Let's go through some practice scenarios. 

  1. When entering or exiting the bike lane, micromobility riders should be alert and yield to cars driving in the street. 

     

  2. Micromobility vehicles and cars should yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. 

     

  3. Drivers should come to a complete stop at stop signs and look both ways for vehicles in the bike lane before proceeding. 

     

  4. Micromobility riders should use the existing bike path on Union Drive (along the Purple Line Tracks) to connect the two sections of the Alumni Drive Bike Lane. 

 

 
Now let's check out the intersection of Paint Branch Drive and Regents Drive.

  1. Turning into lots along Paint Branch Drive requires drivers to turn across the bike lane. Drivers MUST look carefully in both directions to check for micromobility riders before making the turn. Micromobility riders should also stay alert and watch for turning cars that are crossing the bike lane. Drivers should never drive in the bike lane, or use it as a turn lane.

    Tip 1: Turning into lots crossing bike lane

  2. Riders entering the Northbound bike lane from Paint Branch Drive, or making a left turn onto Regents Drive, should get into the left turn lane, come to a complete stop, and proceed when it’s clear. 

    Tip 2: Riders entering the bike lane

  3. Riders exiting the Southbound bike lane on Paint Branch Drive should come to a complete stop and wait their turn before proceeding. Drivers should look out for micromobility users who may be turning into the entrance of Lot 11b from the bike lane. 

    Tip 3: Exiting bike lane
      

Now you’re ready to roll. Stay safe and look out for each other, Terps!