NIH Perimeter Security System - Bicyclist Fact Sheet

Entering the Campus

To ensure the safety of bicyclists on the NIH Bethesda campus, bicyclists can follow the same procedure as motor vehicles when entering campus but may choose to use a pedestrian portal or pedestrian turnstile adjacent to a vehicle entrance if desired. Bicyclists may also enter campus via any employee vehicle entrance but must follow the standard procedures for using these entrances:
  • Must have a valid NIH ID badge
  • Must queue in line along with motorized vehicles and cannot bypass the motorized vehicle line
  • A cyclist should attempt to approach the gate nearest to where the guard/officer is stationed
  • Should have ID badge ready and stop for badge verification
  • A security guard or police officer will physically check the ID of the cyclist and swipe it across the reader to record the person's entry on to campus (the light will not register 'green' but your card will still be registered). Once confirmed, the guard/officer will advise the cyclist to ride around the gate arm to gain entry to the campus
  • At most entrances, the left gate arm has been shortened to allow a biker to safely proceed past the entry point. As with motorized vehicles, there may be some situations where traffic patterns may need to be adjusted and security guards or police may direct bicyclists to a different entrance

Exiting the Campus

Bicyclists may exit campus via a Pedestrian Portal or Pedestrian Turnstile or any employee vehicle entrance, consistent with standard procedures for using these entrances:
  • When leaving campus through a vehicle exit, bicyclists should stay within the traffic flow and not bypass motorized vehicles As with motorized vehicles, there may be some situations where traffic patterns may need to be adjusted and security guards or police may direct bicyclists to a different exit point.

Questions or comments?

Contact the ORS Information Line at orsinfo@mail.nih.gov or 301-594-6677, TTY 301-435-1908.