With the approach of warmer weather, more and more bicyclists will be coming out of hibernation, which means an increase in bicycle-related accidents.

To help prevent those accidents from occurring, Iowa State will enforce its own set of campus rules for bicyclists outlined in the Department of Public Safety Parking Division Manual.

The manual states that bicycle riders are not allowed to ride on campus sidewalks or lawns, and that bicyclists must yield to pedestrians.

Bicyclists who are caught riding on a campus sidewalk will receive a $12 fine, said Doug Houghton, program coordinator of DPS.

An improperly parked bicycle warrants a $5 fine, and bicycles that are confiscated from handicapped railings will receive a $5 impound fee.

Houghton said people frequently park bicycles in places they don’t belong, but DPS is taking steps to make parking available at better locations.

“We are spending a substantial sum each year to improve bicycle parking,” he said.

This summer, additional hoop racks for bicycle parking will be installed near LeBaron Hall, Science Hall, Curtiss Hall and the Administrative Service Building, Houghton said.

In addition, a person is not allowed to ride, park or propel a bicycle on any university property without a bicycle identification sticker issued by ISU, according to the manual.

If a bicycle does not have an identification sticker, the owner may receive a $5 ticket.

The manual also states that any person operating a bicycle must obey the instructions of official traffic control devices. For example, bicyclists must operate on the right side of the road and obey all traffic signs.

Houghton said bicyclists are not immune from traffic violations.

“It is possible to get a traffic citation on a bicycle in the street,” Houghton said.

Speeding, running a red light or failing to yield all could result in such a violation, he said.

Obeying traffic laws also is a good way to prevent injuries, said Dr. Mark Blaedel, director of the Student Health Center.

“Bicyclists shouldn’t regard themselves as being right or wrong,” he said.

Blaedel also said many accidents occur when bicyclists are under the influence of alcohol. Intoxicated bicyclists may have a decreased reaction time and a lack of balance.

“Up to one-third of fatally injured bicyclists test positive for alcohol,” he said.

The best way to prevent injury is to wear a helmet, Blaedel said.

A Student Health Center survey found that 17 percent of students own bicycle helmets, but only 6 percent of those students who own helmets wear them.

“If you wear a helmet, it will cut down the head injury rate by 85 percent,” Blaedel said. “Helmets not only help prevent head injury, but also protect the face and neck.”

He said it always is a struggle to get bicyclists to wear helmets, even when they realize helmet use can reduce injury and death.

“We don’t perceive bicycles as dangerous, but there are 1,000 bicycle deaths each year,” Blaedel said.