Get on your bike!

A few tips to help you get started with cycling.

• Where to buy a bike

• Essential clothing and accessories

• Basic bike maintenance

Cycling around NIH campus

• Campus rules for cyclists

• Showers

• Bike racks and lockers

• Register your bike with the NIH Police

• Commuter Connections (if you need a backup)
• Commuter Page (Guaranteed ride home)

Routes to NIH

• Suggested routes to NIH

• Mentors to help you select a suitable route

• Cycle paths and organizations in the local area

• North Bethesda Transportation Center
  (good information for commuters)

Getting started

Buying a bike does not need to be an expensive undertaking. In fact, an inexpensive bike is perfect for the daily wear and tear of commuting to work. As well as numerous bike shops in the Washington metropolitan area, there are a number of options for finding a second-hand bicycle:

• Noticeboards around NIH.

• The NIH Fellows Merchandise and Exchange Bulletin Board.

• Craig's list in the local area (this is an excellent tool for locating all sorts of second-hand items).

A bicycle will get you on the road, but you will also need to consider safety, security and comfort. Bright clothing, lights and a helmet are essential for commuting, particularly when cycling on roads during dark winter days. For advice on suitable gear, see the Washington Area Bicyclist Association website.

More detailed information about bicycle commuting is widely available on the internet. We recommend the following article:

• Bicycling Life, an excellent website covering all aspects of day to day cycling.

Covered lockers are available for day use on a first come, first served basis.

Cycling around NIH campus

General rules for cycling safely around NIH campus:

• You may cycle on the roads and sidewalks.

• Bicycles may not be brought into buildings on campus.

• All traffic laws must be obeyed.

• All bicycles should be equipped with a bell or other warning device.

• Bicycles should only be locked to racks or be placed in lockers.

• Lockers are for day use only. Persistant abuse of this policy may result in the lock being broken and the contents removed by NIH Police. The regulations regarding parking bikes at NIH are found in NIH Manual Chapter 1411.

Bike racks are available outside most NIH buildings.

Many buildings at NIH have shower facilities, although some are better maintained than others. A list of bike racks and lockers is available in pdf format.

Bicycle Registration with NIH Police

NIH employees can register bikes free with the NIH police. To take advantage of this opportunity, contact the NIH Police non-emergency branch at 301-496-5685 or report to the Police Desk in Building 31, room B3B17, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information, see http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/dps/psn/archive/psn97-24.htm

Cycling to NIH.

Bikes can be taken on Metrorail or on most buses in the local area. For more information see Bike-'N-Ride on Metro and Metro Bike-on-rail guidelines.

Suggested routes and route mentors are available to help you plan your commute to NIH. Where possible, take advantage of the excellent cycle paths in the local area.

This document was last revised on April 23, 2006 by Nick Jakubovics.