Wellness Wednesday: Biking safely at UNMC

With the weather getting warmer (and then getting colder again, but that’s another story), more bicycles are beginning to appear on campus.

UNMC is a bike friendly campus, and the campus security department offers these safety tips for students, faculty and staff using their bikes to exercise or to commute.

• Always wear a helmet.
• Ride with the traffic or use bike paths whenever possible.
• Use reflectors, reflective tape, or similar devices on bikes or on your clothing.

Blue Light Emergency Phones Blue light emergency phones are available in 26 locations throughout the medical center campus. The phones can be seen on nine-foot poles and building walls, with the word “EMERGENCY” printed on them in large lettering. The phones have a direct line to security dispatch. Employees and students are encouraged to use emergency phones for any emergency.

Campus security also cautions that bicycles are attractive targets for thieves and vandals. The following tips can make your bike a less attractive target for crime:

• Lock it up. Use a heavy-duty bike lock (a U-bar lock is recommended).
• Lock your bike to a bike rack.

For your own personal use, record the identifying characteristics and the serial number of your bike, and remember to keep the information in a safe place. Always lock your bike, even if you are leaving it for just a minute.

If your bike is stolen or vandalized (while on campus), report the incident promptly to campus security (ext. 9-5111) and the Omaha Police Department (OPD). Bikes stolen or vandalized off campus should be reported to OPD.