Getting Around Campus
Campus has a high concentration of cars, bikes, scooters and walkers in a congested space. It’s important to be aware of your surroundings to avoid an accident.
Mopeds and Scooters
Mopeds are involved in 30–40 injury-producing accidents per year in the campus area. Because UW–Madison has one of the highest concentrations of mopeds in the entire country, practicing safe driving techniques can help prevent accidents from occurring.
Winter weather brings a spike in moped and scooter accidents on and around campus, so follow these tips:
- Slow down: Driving a moped in the winter is much more difficult than during other parts of the year. As it gets colder, all scooter riders have to be just a little more careful. Slowing down is one important part of avoiding a serious accident.
- Leave additional braking distance in case of skidding.
- Drive slower and more carefully on wet and icy pavement.
- Use eyewear, such as goggles, glasses or a motorcycle helmet with a visor.
- Equip your moped with a headlight.
- Test your brakes to judge stopping distances.
- Dress appropriately for the weather. Make sure that clothing such as hats and scarves are not impairing your vision.
- Keep plenty of distance between you and other vehicles.
- Always yield to pedestrians.
- Remember that it is illegal for mopeds to operate on sidewalks and in bike lanes.
- Never drive with additional riders.
- Park only in designated moped parking spots.
- Drivers are also encouraged to have insurance in case an accident does occur.
Find out more information about Motorcycles and Mopeds on Transportation Services' Web site.
Pedestrians
- Keep your eyes and ears alert. Talking on your cell phone and listening to an iPod can distract you and reduce your ability to hear oncoming traffic.
- Cross roads at intersections and crosswalks.
- Dress to be seen. Wear a bright piece of clothing at all times.
- Don't let hats and hoods impair your peripheral vision — you should be able to see on both sides.
- Look both ways before crossing a street or intersection.
- If a driver appears to not see you or slow down, stay where you are and don't attempt to cross the street.
- Contact SAFEwalk or SAFEride whenever you are walking alone at night.
- Cars and scooters must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.