This chapter provides guidance for the use of bicycles, bicycle racks and locker facilities on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) main campus in Montgomery County, Maryland.

This chapter will apply to all NIH personnel and contractors on the NIH campus in Montgomery County, Maryland.

NIH strongly encourages employees to actively participate in bicycling as an efficient alternative to transportation and commuting. NIH provides bicycle racks and locker facilities for visitors and staff of the NIH and handles all bicycle usage, bicycle racks and locker facilities in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 3 “Conduct of Persons and Traffic on the National Institutes of Health Federal Enclave” and 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41.

It is the policy of NIH to allow the use of bicycles for purposes of commuting to and from work and for traveling within the NIH campus. 

1. Bicyclists - Are responsible for complying with the procedures outlined in this policy.
2. Police Officers/Contract Security Officers- Are responsible for enforcing the procedures outlined in this policy.
3. Division of Police (DP) - The DP within The Office of Research Services (ORS) is responsible for ensuring Police Officers/Contract Security Officers are knowledgeable about the procedures outlined in this policy and are in compliance with 45 CFR, Part 3 and 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41.

1. Entering Campus
   1. Bicyclists must possess a valid NIH Identification (ID) badge to enter the NIH campus.
   2. Bicyclists may enter the campus through a pedestrian portal or pedestrian turnstile.
   3. If bicyclists enter campus via an employee vehicle entrance, they must follow these procedures:
      1. Bicyclists must queue in line along with motorized vehicles and cannot bypass motorized vehicles lined up to enter the campus.
      2. Bicyclists should attempt to approach the gate nearest to where the guard/officer is stationed.
      3. Bicyclists must stop and display their NIH ID badge for ID/badge verification.
      4. A security guard or police officer will physically check the NIH ID of the bicyclist and swipe it across the reader to record the person's entry on to campus (the gate light will not register ‘green’ but the card will be registered). Once confirmed, the guard/officer will advise the bicyclist to ride around the gate arm to gain entry to the campus. At most entrances, the left gate arm has been shortened to allow a bicycle commuter to safely proceed past the entry point.
   4. When a bicyclist travels on the roadway, they have the same rights and responsibilities as the operators of motorized vehicles (please see NIH Manual Chapter 1301, “Conduct of Persons and Traffic Regulations at NIH”: https://policymanual.nih.gov/1301) and the Annotated Code of Maryland, Transportation Article, Titles 8, 11 and 21.
2. Exiting the Campus
   1. Bicyclists may exit via pedestrian portals or pedestrian turnstiles.
   2. Bicyclists may also exit via any employee vehicle exit.  All bicyclists should stay with the flow of traffic and not bypass motorized vehicles.
3. Parking, Bicycle Racks and Day Use Lockers
   1. Policy
      1. Parking a bicycle at either a bicycle rack or day use locker on the NIH campus is a privilege, not a right.
      2. Bicycles do not need an NIH Parking Permit.
      3. The only areas designated for bicycle parking are bicycle racks and day use bicycle lockers.
      4. Bicycles may not be parked at, secured to, or stored at any other location on the campus, including railings, light posts or signposts of any kind.
      5. Bicycles may not be parked in excess of 24 hours (please see Title 45 CFR Part 3, Subpart B, 3.23 (a) (9)).
      6. Bicycle racks and lockers are available on a first come, first served basis, and are not assigned to individuals.
      7. NIH policy is to manage the bicycle racks and lockers to make optimum use of the available bicycle spaces by enabling the largest number of employees to benefit from their use.
      8. Bicycles are not permitted inside buildings.
   2. Recommendations
      1. Each bicycle rack holds two bicycles, one on each side. Each compartment of a bicycle locker holds one bicycle.
      2. Bicyclists are strongly encouraged to register their bicycles with the ORS, Division of Police.  Registering your bicycle with them will increase the likelihood of getting your bicycle back in the unlikely event it is stolen from campus.  A unique number printed on an adhesive label will be affixed to the bicycle frame.  The number will be associated with your bicycle’s description and its owner’s contact information.   If you do not have your bicycles serial number, but you know the Division of Police (DP) Registration number, police officers may be able to enter your bicycle’s information into a nationwide database.  For information on registering bicycles, contact the ORS, Division of Police Community Policing Officer at 301-496-3020, or 301-496-2387.
      3. Note: Information regarding the NIH Bike Program is available online at https://www.ors.od.nih.gov/pes/dats/nihbicycleprogram/Pages/default.aspx.
4. Locks and Helmets
   1. Policy
      1. Bicyclists must provide their own lock to secure their bicycle.
      2. Bicyclists must exercise care when securing bicycles so as not to inadvertently lock in an adjacent bicycle.  The ORS, Division of Police may cut off a lock if its position prevents another bicyclist from removing their bicycle from its stored location.  Under these circumstances the NIH will not replace a lock or reimburse the owner.
      3. If it is necessary to remove a bicycle from a bicycle rack or locker facility, the lock will be forcibly cut off.  Under these circumstances the NIH will not replace a lock or reimburse the owner.
      4. Bicyclists may use more than one lock to secure their bicycle. 
      5. A person may not operate a bicycle without a horn or other warning device; and if the bicycle is operated between dusk and dawn, it must be equipped with an operating headlight and taillight or reflector (45 CFR, Part 3). 
      6. All bicyclists under the age of 16 must wear a helmet (Annotated Code of Maryland, Transportation Article, Title 21-1207.1).
   2. Recommendations
      1. Bicyclists are encouraged to use “U shaped” locks instead of a cable or chain lock, as the "U shaped" locks provide better protection.
5. Violations
   1. If a bicycle is stored at a bicycle rack or day use locker in excess of 24 hours, the ORS, Division of Police will tag the bicycle.  If the bicycle is stored in a locker, the ORS, Division of Police will tag the lock.  The tag will state that the owner has five calendar days to remove the bicycle (Appendix 1).
   2. Bicycles left at a rack or locker for five consecutive calendar days will be considered abandoned and will be removed in accordance with 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41 (Appendix 1).
   3. No bicycles are allowed to be parked at, secured to, or stored at any other locations but the designated areas on Campus. No bicycles are to be parked, secured, or stored in locations such as, railings, light posts, signposts, etc. Bicycles parked at any prohibited location will be tagged by the Division of Police (DP).  The tag will serve as a notification to the owner of the violation. The owner will be given five calendar days to remove the bicycle.  If the bicycle has not been moved at the conclusion of the five day period, it will be considered abandoned and will be removed in accordance with 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41 (Appendix 1).
   4. Bicycles removed in the manner described in 5a., b. and c. above will be stored for thirty calendar days.  Any person whose bicycle has been removed may reclaim it by calling 301-496-3020 within 30 days.  They must contact the Division of Police (DP) directly.  At the conclusion of the 30 day period, the bicycles will be disposed of in accordance with 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41.  
6. Extended Parking
   1. In the event a bicycle must be left at a rack or locker due to the owner's official government travel, illness, etc., the employee must inform the ORS, Division of Police (DP) of the location of the bicycle and the reason the bicycle will be stored beyond five calendar days   The owner will be given a tag by the ORS, Division of Police, indicating the time extension approval.  The owner must attach the tag in a visible location on the bicycle. 

1. Title 45 CFR, Part 3 “Conduct of Persons and Traffic on the National Institutes of Health Federal Enclave.” https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2007-title45-vol1/CFR-2007-title45-vol1-part
2. Federal Management Regulations, 41 CFR, Subchapter B, Parts 102-36 and 102-41 (successor regulation to FMPR)
   1. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/ext/public/site/FMR/file/Part102-_36.html/category/21858/#wp2019551
   2. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2011-title41-vol3/CFR-2011-title41-vol3-part102-id761  
3. NIH Manual Chapter 1743, “Keeping and Destroying Records,” Appendix 1, NIH Records Control Schedule:  https://oma.od.nih.gov/DMS/Pages/Records-Management-Schedule.aspx  
4. NIH Manual Chapter 1301, “Conduct of Persons and Traffic Regulations at NIH”: https://policymanual.nih.gov/1301
5. NIH Delegation of Authority, General Administration Number 08, Control of Violations of Law at Certain NIH Facilities
6. Annotated Code of Maryland,  Transportation Article, Titles 8, 11 and 21: http://www.michie.com/maryland/lpext.dll?f=templates&fn=main-h.htm&cp=mdcode

1. Bicycle –  A vehicle that is designed to be operated by human power; has two or three wheels, of which one is more than 14" in diameter and has a wheel configuration as follows:
   1. If the vehicle has two wheels, with both wheels in tandem; or
   2. If the vehicle has three wheels, with one front wheel and with two rear wheels that are spaced equidistant from the center of the vehicle.
2. Bicyclist –  Any person traveling on a bicycle.
3. Bicycle Locker – An enclosed storage facility designed to temporarily house and secure a bicycle.
4. Bicycle Rack – A device designed to hold a bicycle.
5. Campus – Synonym of enclave as defined in H. 8.
6. Contract Security Officer – Individual(s) whose law enforcement services are secured by contract.
7. Designated Areas – The only locations on the campus where bicycles may be parked, secured or stored, as defined by 45 CFR Part 3, Subpart B, 3.23(b): A person must park bicycles, motorbikes, and similar vehicles only in designated areas, and may not bring these vehicles inside buildings.  Designated areas are limited only to bicycle racks and bicycle lockers. 
8. Enclave – The NIH “Campus” comprised of approximately 318 acres of federal property located in Bethesda, Maryland.
9. Police Officer – Uniformed or non-uniformed individual(s) appointed by the NIH Director under Title 40 United States Code section 1315 (formerly sections 318 to 318d); any other Federal law enforcement officer; or any other individual appointed upon request or deputization from a State or local law enforcement agency.