Drivers of vehicles are expected to drive at safe speeds for conditions such as adverse weather, lightning and traffic conditions. Posted speed limits must always be obeyed.

Drivers should be especially careful at crosswalks, intersections, stoplights, and during peak class hours when areas are often congested with pedestrians. A reduced speed is appropriate at these times.

Walkways, sidewalks and the area between the gates of Greene Street are pedestrian-only areas. Driving mopeds or scooters on these areas is prohibited. Violators may be ticketed and fined.

University policy requires mopeds, motorcycles and scooters to be registered with Parking Services.

Mopeds, motorcycles and scooters have designated parking spaces.

Parking on the sidewalk or securing your moped to a bicycle rack is prohibited.

Mopeds should never be brought inside any university building.

Motorcycles and Scooters
Must have a vehicle license tag from the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.

To operate a motorcycle or scooter, you must have a Class M driver's license.

All vehicles that are considered scooters must be registered and insured as motorcycles, regardless of whether or not they have a transmission with gears or a single-speed unit.

Mopeds
Moped tags are issued by a moped dealer and must meet certain specifications. Moped tags must be:

• made of reflective metal.
• have a validation sticker on the tag.

To operate a moped, you must have a Class D, G or M driver’s license.
A moped driver must have his or her license in possession at all times when operating a moped.

Moped drivers are subject to traffic laws governing other motor vehicles.

Mopeds are not motorcycles or scooters.

Register with Parking Services
All bicycles parked on campus at UofSC must be registered with Parking Services.

Register with USCPD
Visit Register Your Property, email Sgt. Kenny Adams at ADAMSKL@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803-777-0855.

On campus, parked bicycles must be secured to a bike rack. Do not secure your bike to any of the following:

• light poles
• handrails
• parking meters
• street signs

Bicyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws, just the same as an operator of any other vehicle.

Riding on the Sidewalk
Many municipalities ban cyclists from riding on sidewalks. Check your area to see if sidewalk riding is permitted. Riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is not allowed in many crowded city areas, including downtown Columbia.

Bike Lanes
If an exclusive bike lane exists, cyclists must travel in this lane unless it is blocked. Cyclists may use the road to pass other cyclists. A recreational bike path does NOT have to be used. Cyclists can use the road if they prefer, for instance, if the bike path is poorly maintained or clogged with pedestrians.

There is a difference between an exclusive bike lane and a recreational bike path. A bike lane is paved, and is usually on the roadway. Recreational bike paths are usually adjacent to the road and may or may not be paved.

Riding on the Road
When there is no bicycle lane, cyclists should stay as far to the right of the road lane as possible. Cyclists can ride on the shoulder if there is one.

Cyclists should ride to the right third of the road lane as long as it is safe to do so. An exception would be in the case of making a left turn going straight in an intersection that has a right turning lane. A cyclist should remain in the right third of the lane going straight and not enter the right turning lane.

Bicyclists are not permitted to ride more than two abreast (more than two riders side-by-side) unless in a bicycle lane or on a recreational bike path.

Multiple Riders
Unless a bicycle was designed and equipped to carry more than one person, only one rider is allowed.

Visibility
Maintaining visibility is a key part of bicycle safety, especially at night. Bicycles driven at night in South Carolina are required to have a front lamp, illuminating at least 500 feet in front of the bike, and a red rear reflector that must be visible 50 to 300 feet in front of the headlights of a vehicle.

Ankle reflectors are easily seen with the movement of pedaling feet and further enhance your visibility.

Although bicycle helmets are not required by law in South Carolina, they are an essential piece of safety gear. In addition to protecting the head, they provide an extra surface on which to place reflective tape and increase visibility.

A red, rear-flashing light and reflective clothing are also recommended to increase visibility.

Under South Carolina law, pedestrians (including people pushing strollers, traveling on rollerblades and skateboards, and those in wheelchairs or traveling with other assistive devices) must walk on sidewalks whenever they are present. Pedestrians have complete right-of-way on the sidewalk.

If there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should travel on the shoulder of the road.

If there is no shoulder or sidewalk, pedestrians must then walk on the far left side of the road.

When a crosswalk is present, this is the safest place to cross a street or intersection. Push the button, and wait for the crossing signal indicating that it’s safe. Look both ways before crossing the intersection.

If crossing somewhere other than a crosswalk, pedestrians must always yield to oncoming vehicles.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Keep one ear free. If listening to music or a Bluetooth device, do not insert headphones into both ears — you need to be able to hear oncoming traffic, car horns, or someone shouting a warning.

Do not stare down at your mobile device, tablet or e-reader while traveling down a sidewalk, the side of a road, or while walking around campus.

Walking while drunk or high enough to become a hazard is not only dangerous, but illegal! If you become very intoxicated or impaired by drugs, call a friend, cab or one of the university’s transportation options.

Be Mindful of Driver Behavior
Assume that oncoming cars can’t see you, and modify your movements accordingly.

Do not assume that an activated turn signal means that a car is turning at an intersection.