Editor’s Note: As of June 30, 2019, Case Western Reserve uses Rave Guardian. CWRU Shield is no longer active and should be deleted from all mobile devices. Download Rave Guardian on the App Store and Google Play.
Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up to the piece earlier this month on campus safety. The Daily encourages everyone to review both articles and make themselves aware of various ways to stay safe on and off campus.
Faculty, staff and students have many options for getting around campus, including using Safe Ride and shuttles, walking with an escort, and riding bicycles. No matter how you choose to get around, below are some tips to help you stay safe.
Individuals can download the free CWRU Shield app to notify first responders in the event of an emergency and to access information about several services, including Safe Ride and the shuttle system. Users must download the app and enter user profile information before the it is activated.
Safe Ride
Safe Ride is an after-hours transportation service for students, faculty and staff to get around campus and University Circle. The service, with a fleet of eight vehicles (nine during peak hours) driven by security officers, is available seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Individuals can call a Safe Ride at 216.368.3000 or request a ride online or through the Shield app. Recently, yellow lights were added to the dashboard or top of all Safe Ride vans to help users ensure they are entering the right vehicle. The lights activate when the vehicle reaches a pick-up location.
Do not enter a vehicle without the correct signage/lighting, and be sure to check your Safe Ride assignment to be sure it is the correct driver and vehicle. You can track the ride in real-time using the Safe Ride app or online map. You also will be notified when the driver arrives at your pickup location, so do not enter a vehicle unless you have confirmed it is your ride.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact 216.368.3300.
Shuttles
There are several shuttle bus routes on campus and around the University Circle area. The following routes are offered:
- Circle Link—GreenLink: Continuous loop with stops on CWRU’s north and south campuses, the Cedar-University Rapid Station and University Hospitals from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays
- Circle Link–BlueLink: Route connecting Wade Oval, Uptown, Little Italy, Coventry and the Little Italy–University Circle Rapid Station from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
- Commuter Shuttle: Service every 15 minutes or less from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, except major holidays
- Heights AM: A loop every 25 minutes from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday when classes are in session
- Evening Shuttles—North Loop and South Loop: Continuous loops from 5:15 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 5:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with reduced service over breaks, on holidays and during summer
- UCRC Shuttle: Service every 23 minutes at designated stops from 6:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, except major holidays
- KSL Express: A nighttime route with stops at Juniper residence halls, Kelvin Smith Library (East Boulevard), Fribley Commons and Veale Center/One to One Fitness Center from 5:15 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Shuttles to and from the Health Education Campus will begin soon. For shuttle routes and details, visit the Parking and Transportation page of the HEC website.
Learn more about the shuttle system on the Access Services website. Track shuttles with the TransLoc app (available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store), or visit the shuttle tracking page on the Access Services website.
Walking escorts
Walking in groups or with another person is always safer than being alone. With that in mind, the Division of Public Safety offers walking escorts to students, faculty and staff on campus and in the University Circle area.
Walking escorts are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 216.368.3300 to request an escort, anytime for any reason.
Bicycle safety
As the weather warms, more bikes are likely to be criss-crossing campus. Whether you’re a rider or bystander, there are a few tips to improve your safety.
Most importantly, cyclists should always wear a helmet. The Student Sustainability Ambassador Transportation Team also suggests cyclists inspect their bike’s wheels, brakes and chains before each use. By Ohio law, bikes must have a working headlight and taillight—not just a reflector—to be used at night.
Whenever possible, cyclists should use designated bike lanes and avoid riding on sidewalks. However, whenever that’s not possible, individuals should be sure to slow down and remember that in the state of Ohio, pedestrians have the right of way.
To keep pedestrians and themselves safe, cyclists should be sure to use a bell or horn to alert others of their approach. Additionally, when nearing a pedestrian, cyclists should call out to indicate which side they are on, keeping in mind that passing on the left is preferred. The Student Sustainability Ambassador Transportation Team reminds cyclists that they should be loud when calling out to pedestrians, as some walk with headphones in and otherwise may not hear them.
Riding a bike on the Binary Walkway and in the parking lot between Amasa Stone Chapel and Crawford Hall is prohibited.
On the street, cyclists must obey all traffic laws, including lights, signs, flag persons and pavement markings. It’s also important to follow the flow of traffic and to never weave between vehicles or swerve in the road.
When riding, wear reflective clothing to be as noticeable to drivers as possible. The Student Sustainability Ambassador Transportation Team suggests cyclists practice defensive riding.
Hand signals when turning also are encouraged.
Securing your bike
All bikes on campus should be secured at a bike rack—never chained to a sign, post or handrail. Undergraduate students can get a free hardened bike lock from the Case Western Reserve University Police Department. Chain and cable locks are discouraged, as they are less effective in preventing theft. When locking a bike, individuals should never use just the wheel; three points of contact are recommended—through the front wheel and bike frame and then to the bike rack
The police department also offer free bike registration to all faculty, staff and students. To register a bike, visit the police department’s website and fill out the form, then visit the station to grab a sticker for your bike.
Watch videos by the League of American Bicyclists to learn more about bike safety and get information on selecting the proper bike helmet.