Purdue News

August 14, 1998 Bicycle registration set for new academic year WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- To help deter theft and promote responsible use, the Purdue University Police Department is gearing up a bicycle registration program for students, faculty and staff who ride their bikes on the West Lafayette campus. The mandatory registration was authorized by the universitywide Parking and Traffic Committee last spring, effective for the fall semester, which begins Aug. 24. Officer Kenneth Cox said the program will help reduce bicycle thefts, will aid in recovery of a bicycle if it is stolen and will assist police in contacting the owner of an improperly parked or abandoned bike. Cox said the free, five-minute registration process includes filling out an information form and receiving a permanent numbered sticker that will be affixed to the bicycle. Owners can register at Purdue police headquarters in Terry Memorial House, 205 S. Intramural Drive, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Police also will set up registration tables at various campus locations, including residence halls, during the first few weeks of the semester. Cox said police will work to inform bicycle users of the new registration program during the next month or so before beginning formal enforcement, which will include the use of warning tags that will be placed on unregistered bicycles. Owners will then have 10 days to register or face possible fines or bike impoundment. Cox said it's estimated that 8,000 to 12,000 bicycles are on the West Lafayette campus during the academic year. About 100 were stolen last year. CONTACT: Cox, (765) 494-8221. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page