Since 1956, May has been designated as National Bike Month and Bicycle Safety Month in the U.S. This month provides a focus on the many benefits of bicycling and a refresher on safety measures one should take when using a bike.

“We’re having the students submit photo proof on social media and tagging us,” said Gazelle Galvan, Parking & Transportation Program Coordinator.

Registering one’s bike is important as it helps the University of Houston Police Department to return the bike to its rightful owner in the unfortunate event that it is stolen or reported missing.

“Once the student, faculty, or staff, registers their bike, it connects to their account,” said Galvan. “So, we’re able to find them.

And while scooters don’t fit the bicycle definition, Gazelle said they encourage scooter riders to register their ride as if it was a bicycle.

Galvan said the registration drive will also serve as an opportunity to inform the campus community about Bikeep, the free, high-security smart bike station that the campus community can use to store their bicycles.

Parking & Transportation is also working with UHPD to attain bike locks that both departments can hand out to students during orientations for traditional safekeeping.

For campus community members interested in registering their bicycles, the process is a simple one, simply log into the AccessUH account, and click on myParking Accounts and select the “Register Bike” button. To receive your bike permit decal, visit the Parking and Transportation customer service office in the Elgin Street Garage (Suite 110). No appointment is required.

To learn more about Bikeep and bicycle registration visit the Stay Cougar Safe website.