 Cyclists gathering to campaign beside the perimeter security fence.
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Mission accomplished: policy change on the perimeter security system
Congratulations to all those who helped support our efforts to change the NIH policy on treatment of cyclists using the new perimeter security system! The original policy intended to force cyclists through the pedestrian gates, despite the fact that bicycles are rightly considered to be vehicles by Maryland State law. A concerted campaign by Bicycle Commuter Club members, involving letters, phone calls, e-mails and a rally on the opening day of the new system (see below), has resulted in a reversal of the NIH policy. Cyclists may now use vehicle entrances and exits, provided that they queue along with other traffic. This will greatly improve campus access for cyclists and will avoid discouraging people from using bikes. The new rules are available at http://www.security.nih.gov/bicycleFacts.htm. Note that the vehicle barriers only operate with a combination of an active swipe card AND the presence of a heavy vehicle, so bikes will not activate the sensor. Instead you will have to present your card to the security personnel for inspection. Until the security staff have had time to get used to the new system, we recommend printing and carrying a copy of the rules when cycling to campus. Please keep in mind that security personnel DO have the last call, and can override policy when/if they deem it necessary, so please try to be respectful and continue to represent NIH Bicycle Commuters as a positive and constructive community force!
Rally, Mon 29th August
 Campaigners (left to right) Elizabeth Preston of League of American Bicyclists, Angela Atwood-Moore the Bicycle Commuter Club President, Barry
Childress of BaltimoreSpokes and Jack Cochrane of MOBIKE.
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Many thanks to those of you who turned up to support the rally at the Medical Center entrance to NIH campus. Clearly, this effort was a great success. The gathering and the publicity it generated drew attention to the important contribution Bicycle Commuters make within the NIH community in spite of the lack of consideration we are generally afforded. A press statement from the NIH Bicycle Commuter Club describes the many issues (not just the perimeter security fence) that we feel should be considered by those implementing NIH transportation policies. In the future, we deserve to be considered during planning and design, so that negative NIH publicity is not required to ensure our rights and guarantee our safety. Thanks are also due to local advocacy groups including the Washington Area Bicylist Association, the League of American Bicyclists, MOBIKE, Baltimore Spokes, the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (and many others!) for helping to write letters to NIH officials expressing support for our position against anti-bike policies. These same groups also helped us greatly by getting the word out via their many list-serves to garner even more support for our position. Several groups even released press statements and alerted media outlets to the hypocritical NIH security policy for bikes and yesterday's Pro-Biking Rally. The event was also given prime coverage in the League of American Bicyclists' e-mail newsletter.
 Angela Atwood-Moore giving a speech at the rally.
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We are recommending that statements of thanks for the biking policy amendments be e-mailed to Security and Emergency Response Acting Director John Dattoli, who met with Angela Atwood-Moore personally, listened to our bike-related policy concerns with attention and openness, and, in the midst of a very busy schedule, was able to meet both major requests made. Namely, the official policy was amended to allow bicyclists to enter campus as the roadway vehicles they are and the NIH Perimeter Security System- Bicycle Fact Sheet was created.
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