Traffic Safety and Vehicle Security

UCPD Berkeley plays an important part in helping pedestrians, motorists and all mobility device operators stay safe and secure on campus. Our primary goal is to reduce the risk of traffic collisions, which can cause significant property damage, injury, and even death. We prefer an educational approach to improving traffic safety but enforcement actions may be employed when appropriate, especially when a vehicle operator or pedestrian takes an action that causes harm or is likely to cause harm to others.  

Please respect the Walk Zones - areas of campus that become particularly congested with pedestrian traffic during the day. Dismount your vehicle and walk alongside it in the Walk Zone, or find another way around. Walk zones are identified with distinct signs and markings on the ground. Please visit the UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Office website for more information about Walk Zones and other traffic regulations on campus, including the UC Berkeley Traffic and Parking Code

Our commitment to traffic safety does not end at the edge of campus. There many academic, administrative and residential University properties in the dense urban landscape around UC Berkeley, and the campus community makes up a significant portion of local pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The City of Berkeley Police Department has primary jurisdiction and responsibility for managing the city streets, but UCPD Berkeley officers provide supplementary services and you will often see our distinctly-marked patrol vehicles in the area.

Security Considerations

Motor vehicles, bicycles and mobility devices are sometimes the target of theft on and near campus. UCPD officers and other department members regularly patrol parking areas and bicycle racks to deter criminal activity. If the option is available we recommend parking in well-lit, highly visible and frequently visited locations where the presence of others is more likely to discourage crime.

Automobiles and other vehicles with passenger compartments or storage spaces: We strongly recommend against leaving visible, valuable or important property inside unattended vehicles. Vehicles should be fully closed and locked when left parked. Smaller vehicles (e.g. motorcycles) and vehicles with less robust security features (e.g. golf carts) may deserve additional security precautions such as wheel locks, steering column locks, hidden engine shut-off switches, and tracking devices.

Bicycles and mobility devices: We encourage the use of high-quality locks, secured according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a secure parking facility if available. Please do not secure your bicycle or mobility device to handrails or in other locations that are likely to interfere with access for persons with disabilities. Consider registering your bicycle or device with UCPD Berkeley - applying the permanent registration decals might discourage theft and improve the chance of return if lost or stolen. To learn more, visit our Bicycle and Mobility Device Registration page. 

Please also refer to our Theft Prevention Tips page for additional advice about securing vehicles and property.

Traffic Law Enforcement Authority

UCPD Berkeley has law enforcement authority anywhere within the State of California as described in California Penal Code §830.2(b), with the primary duty of providing service upon and near University properties as described in California Education code §92600

As authorized under California Vehicle Code §21113(a)(2), UC Berkeley regulates the operation of vehicles on campus property, and police may enforce applicable traffic laws on campus property in the same manner as anywhere else in the state (CVC §21113(c)).

The UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Office, maintains the UC Berkeley Traffic and Parking Code, which UCPD Berkeley officers are authorized to enforce.

Parking on Campus

Parking on the UC Berkeley campus and nearby satellite properties, including for special events, is managed by the UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Office.  Please refer to their website for further information: https://pt.berkeley.edu  

Campus Roadways and Vehicle Access Barriers

Roadways, pathways and barriers to vehicle access on campus are maintained by the UC Berkeley Office of Facilities Services (with some exceptions). For more information, including requests for repairs and temporary barrier pole removals, please contact the Facilities Services Customer Service Center: https://facilities.berkeley.edu

Vehicle-Specific Laws and Regulatios

There are many types of vehicles and mobility devices, but it is your responsibility to be familiar with the laws and regulations that apply to any that you operate. This includes all specific licensing, registration, equipment, operation and parking rules that might apply to you and your vehicle.

The California Vehicle Code defines many types of vehicles and is where you can find rules of the road that apply both on and off campus. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers state licensing requirements and most vehicle registration. The DMV also provides guidance on identifying different types of vehicles and understanding what laws apply - please visit the DMV website for more information: https://www.dmv.ca.gov

Bicycle and Mobility Device Registration

UCPD Berkeley provides a free registration service for bicycles and mobility devices, available to all members of the campus community. Bicycle registrations are administered in a manner consistent with the process described in California Vehicle Code §39000 - §39011, and this effort has been extended to other mobility devices. For more information, visit: UCPDBerkeley Bicycle and Mobility Device Registration.

City of Berkeley Municipal Code §14.68.020 requires all riders in the city to have their bicycle registered, as does UC Berkeley Traffic and Parking Code §6.01. However, by policy, UCPD Berkeley does not issue citations for violation of these code sections, nor does it impound unregistered bicycles or mobility devices for this reason alone.

Bicycle and Mobility Device Registration

Theft Prevention Tips

UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation Office

City of Berkeley Police Department