Bicycling

< Back to Moving In and Getting Settled

Bicycling is a very practical means of transportation around the Rice area and a triple-bonus for your pocketbook, your health, and the environment. Some students question the condition of the roads, but anyone who has spent a few months biking around a major city can tell you it is no worse than average.

As a wise grad said many years ago: “Get a helmet. Get a light if you are out at night. Stay the hell off the wrong side of the road.” It’s also useful (and courteous) to learn the hand signals for breaking and turning as sidewalks are not always available and you will have to share the road. The city of Houston has a system of bike routes around town (check here for maps). BE SURE to get a sturdy lock – bike theft is rampant both in Houston and around campus.

Bicycle Registration

Bicycles can be registered with Rice University. Registration with Rice can be performed at the Campus Police Office or online at www.rupd.rice.edu/bicycle/. This service is recommended. In the event that your bicycle is stolen, its serial number will be on record in case of future recovery. RUPD can even engrave your name and driver’s license number on your bicycle. You can also get a discounted bicycle lock from RUPD.

 

Cycling Clubs

If you are really into biking, Houston has several clubs for you, among them the Houston Area Bicyclist Alliance (713-729-9333), Houston Bicycle Club, and the Greater Houston Off-Road Biking Association.

Cycling at Rice

Racers can also check in with the Rice University Cycling Team, a University club. Lastly, watch the GSA announcements for something called Beer Bike – as the name suggests, it involves biking, and GSA has a great team every year (novices and veterans welcome).