Many members of the Temple community use bikes as their primary mode of travel. Bikes provide a fast and convenient way to get around. However, preparing for your travel could be critical to a smooth ride.  

Bike Safety

• Protect your head. Wear a helmet.
• Learn the rules of the road. Obey traffic laws.
• Assure bicycle readiness. Before using your bicycle, check to make sure all parts are working properly.
• See and be seen. Wear neon, florescent or other bright clothes so you are more visible.
• Take precautions when biking at night. Equip your bike with reflectors to ensure that it is visible. Wear reflective clothing or material, especially on your ankles, wrists, back and helmet. Only ride in areas familiar to you. Brightly lit streets are best. Always assume you are not seen by a driver.
• Stay alert. Watch out for potholes, cracks, gates or any potential obstacles or hazardous conditions in your path.
• Go with the flow. The safe way is the right way. Ride on the right side in a straight, predictable path. Always go in single file in the same direction as other vehicles.
• Check for traffic. Over 70 percent of car-bicycle crashes occur at driveaways or other intersections. Before you enter any street or intersection, be aware of the traffic around you.

Bike Security

https://bicyclecoalition.org/resources/locking-and-theft/#sthash.bGRN9bLT.dpbs

• Take precautions when parking. Park in a well-lit area with all the windows closed, doors locked and no items in plain view.
• Never provide the opportunity for your car to be stolen by leaving it in operation, even if you are only exiting for a minute.
• Be aware. Always be careful and alert of your surroundings. Scan the vehicle as you are approaching with your keys in hand, only unlocking the doors you need for entry.
• Take care of your vehicle. Keep your car in good running condition.
• If your car breaks down, raise the hood, use flares or tie a white cloth to the door handle. Stay in the locked car. When someone stops, ask him or her to phone for help.
• If you are being followed while driving, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open business or well-lit residence where you can safely call the police. Try to get the car’s license number and description. If no safe areas are near, honk the horn repeatedly and turn on your emergency flashers.

• Although you may feel more confident when you are talking on your phone or carrying your phone in your hand, the reality is that displaying your device could make you the target for a crime.
• Walking and Talking or Texting is a distraction. Always be alert and aware of others and your surroundings.
• Keep your phone out of sight so that no one can “snatch it” from you.
• Locate Code Blue Emergency phones so you can contact the police if you need them.
• Save the Temple Police number (215-204-1234) into your cell phone. Memorize the number so you can get assistance, even if you don’t have your phone. 

Take steps to protect yourself from identity theft:

• Secure your social security number. Don’t carry your social security card in your wallet or write your number on your checks. Only give out your social security number (SSN) when absolutely necessary.
• Don’t respond to unsolicited requests for personal information (your name, birthdate, social security number or bank account number) by phone, mail or online. 
• Watch out for “shoulder surfers.” Shield the keypad when typing your passwords on computers and at ATMs. 
• Collect mail promptly. Ask the post office to put your mail on hold when you are away from home. 
• Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
• Review your receipts. Ask for carbon copies and incorrect charge slips as well. Promptly compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
• Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements and expired cards to prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information.
• Store personal information in a safe place at home and at work.
• Install firewalls and virus-detection software on your home computer.
• Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess easily. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases.
• Order your credit report once a year and review to be certain that it doesn't include accounts that you have not opened. Check it more frequently if you suspect someone has gained access to your account information.

Additional Resource

www.usa.gov/identity-theft

Be safe and be seen: make yourself visible to drivers.

• Wear bright clothing and reflective materials when walking at night.
• Cross in a well-lit area at night.
• Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.

Be smart and alert: avoid dangerous behaviors.

• Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.
• Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers, don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
• Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road.
• Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.

Be careful at crossings: look before you step.

• Cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections, if possible.
• Obey traffic signals such as walk/don't walk signs.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing a street.
• Watch for turning vehicles; make sure the driver sees you and will stop for you.
• Look across all lanes you must cross and visually clear each lane before proceeding. Just because one motorist stops, do not presume drivers in other lanes can see you and will stop for you.
• Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while crossing.

Educate Yourself

• Learn emergency numbers and post them in visible areas.
• Know where the nearest exits and fire alarms are located.
• Check with your parents' insurance company to see if your property is covered under their homeowners' policy while you are attending school.

Take Precautions

• Do not prop open any residence hall doors because you do not know whom you may be letting in!
• Lock your door and take your keys with you even if you are just leaving for a minute, even if you are just going to the restroom.
• Lock your door when you and your roommate are sleeping.
• Do not leave notes on your door stating that no one is home or when you will return.
• Keep all valuables out of sight and locked up if possible.
• Do not keep large sums of money around.
• Keep a record of all your valuable items, noting descriptions, serial numbers and approximate monetary value of all items. These records should be kept in a secure location.
• Do not loan your keys to anyone and do not attach your TUid to your keys.
• Do not allow strangers into your room.

Don’t Wait and See—Call Immediately

• Report any suspicious person or behavior to Temple Police (215-204-1234).
• Don't Stall; just call: report any medical emergencies and alcohol related concerns to Temple Police.

Protect Yourself

• Always tell a friend your whereabouts, who you are going with and when you plan to return.
• Travel with trusted friends. Watch out for each other and don’t let a group member wander off alone or with someone unknown.
• Stay in public view and don’t allow unknown individuals to seclude you. Once you are isolated, it may be more difficult to extract yourself from a precarious situation
• Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable, leave!

Be Responsible

• Keep all valuables (keys, identification, phone, etc.) with you at all times.
• Be cautious of beverages served from punch bowls. Open your drinks yourself. Never share drinks or leave your beverage unattended. If you lose sight of your drink, discard it. Be aware that date rape drugs can easily be slipped into drinks and cause loss of or altered consciousness.

Obtain Consent

• Clearly communicate your boundaries. If you are not interested in spending time with someone or engaging sexual activity, express your feelings. If you are ignored, be assertive and focus on getting away.
• Be respectful. If a person is not interested in spending time with you or engaging in sexual activity, do not pursue the situation. 
• Do not personally engage in or allow anyone in your presence to engage in sexual behavior with a highly intoxicated, high or unconscious individual. If you believe that a person is unable to give consent at that time, or that they are being coerced into a sexual act, request that the activity cease. If the situation persists, seek assistance.