<p>So I plan on bringing my bike to campus and I have a few questions.</p>
<p>Should I bring multiple locks, for the frame and tires? </p>
<p>Are the bike racks near the resident halls under an overhang so they don't rust over night?</p>
<p>Are there any sidewalks that you're not allowed to use your bike? For example: Am I allowed to ride my bike on the sidewalk that cutz through the Rietz Union Lawn?</p>
<p>If so, how crowded is it between classes?</p>
<p>There’s a brand of lock that goes through the frame and front tire that offers that will pay up to 750 for your bike if it gets stolen. I can’t remember the brand, I’m picking one up soon for mine so if no one else mentions it I’ll post again.</p>
<p>I think that the dorms and classroom buildings have some form of bike racks, and I hope that they’re fairly well-lighted. But the very first line in BICYCLE SECURITY INFORMATION on the UFPD website ([University</a> of Florida Police Department](<a href=“http://www.police.ufl.edu/csd/csd_safetytips_bikesecurity.asp]University”>http://www.police.ufl.edu/csd/csd_safetytips_bikesecurity.asp)) reads, “Theft is the number one crime problem at the University of Florida and bicycles are the number one target.” That motivated me to look for a good lock.</p>
<p>I think that the lock that Steel88 is referring to is called a “U-lock” - and there are many brands, sizes, levels of security, and price. From what I’ve read, the top rated brand appears to be Kryptonite; and to help you chose the right lock, Krypto’s website includes a rating for each of their locks indicating the level of security. Regarding mfr warranties that promises to cover loss if your bike is stolen - the requirements are so ridiculous, that I doubt whether anyone has ever collected on any of them. So just buy a lock that you think will offer the an appropriate level of security for your own needs.
After researching ratings and reviews, I bought a Krypto U-lock w/ cable.</p>
<p>BTW, the bike safety and security info on the UFPD website includes the following fines for bike violations (listed in “Headlight on Traffic”):
<p>Also, one of the UF Housing rules states: “Residents and their guests may not ride bicycles within the residence halls …” Honest - I didn’t make that up.</p>
<p>I bought a u-lock too, but I’m still a little nervous. I’ve heard there are a lot of issues with bike theft, including people stealing the tires off of the bikes and whatnot.</p>
<p>I also know that they are extremely strict and enforce all of those rules - I’ve even heard of people getting pulled over for going too fast on their bike (over 25 MPH, I think). However, when they say you can’t go against traffic, do they mean you can’t ride your bike towards it? I’m a little confused by what exactly they mean with that rule.</p>
<p>just stay in the bike lanes. they are not actually that strict about the riding rules (except for the light thing, I got caught twice for that) just ride your bike in the bike lane, and follow the same rules as if you were driving a car. you can ride on the side walk, but it’s faster to just stay in the bike lane when there is one. and you can ride with headphones if you only have 1 headphone in. but to be honest, I think they are just bluffing about the fines. both times I got caught w/o a light, I didn’t get any fine. just a warning to get a light. the second time, the cop even gave me a coupon for a light from a bike shop. so just use common sense when riding your bike around campus. if it feels dangerous for yourself or pedestrians, don’t do it.</p>
<p>I honestly had a chain lock the whole year, and I was fine, my bike never got stolen, no one ever took my tires. but if you want to feel safe, get a u-lock and maybe a chain. just make sure you secure both the frame and front wheel to the bike rack</p>
<p>As long as you’re smart with locking your bike you’ll be fine! The people that get their bikes stolen are usually the ones who only tie the wheel to the rack or the frame to the rack but not BOTH of them.</p>
<p>If you bring a bike to school, don’t bring an expensive one costing more than like $100. More likely than getting stolen, bikes get banged up and damaged in the bikeracks from others knocking them over, kicking them for spite or just because they are in their way, or just plain outright vandalism. Use a U-lock with a steel cable laced thru wheels if you don’t want your bike stolen. Too, bring an air pump and a small tool kit with wrenches for fixing your bike and tightening it up when it gets knocked around.</p>
<p>i sort of have an opposing view to that. IMO, since you’re more than likely going to be using it a lot, it is really to your advantage to buy a quality bike. I think mine cost around 260-270. something that is nice and light so you can pick it up to put on like the bus racks. I’ve never seen any bikes getting damaged or vandalized in the bike racks. yeah people move them around and such, but they’re made of metal, they can take it. and i wouldn’t waste the money on an air pump. there is air at the bike repair shop next to the union, where they will also fix anything that happens to your bike. but a tool kit might be good for other things too, so that’s just a good all around suggestion, whether you have a bike or not.</p>
<p>How much does it usually cost to get things fixed there or to get air put in the tires?</p>
<p>Please read this:</p>
<p>Only piece of advice. </p>
<p>Take your bicycle seat with you to class and to your residence hall/apartment.</p>
<p>To paraphrase a great song from the late 1950’s:</p>
<p>If you wanna be happy for your college life,
Never make a pretty bicycle your ride,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly bike to carry you.</p>
<p>A pretty bike makes its rider look small
And very often causes you to fall.
As soon as you start to carry it
Then it’ll do the things that make you late.</p>
<p>But if you make an ugly bike your ride,
You’ll be happy for your college life,
An ugly bike gets you there on time,
It’ll always give you peace of mind.</p>
<p>If you wanna be happy for your college life,
Never make a pretty bike your ride,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly bike to carry you.</p>
<p>Don’t let your friends say you have no taste,
Go ahead and ride it anyway,
Though its paint is ugly and its wheels don’t match,
Take it from me, it’s a better catch.</p>
<p>If you wanna be happy for your college life,
Never make a pretty bike your ride,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly bike to carry you.</p>
<p>Say man.
Hey baby.
Saw your bike the other day.
Yeah?
Yeah, it’s ugly.
Yeah, it’s ugly, but it sure can move.
Yeah?. Okay.</p>
<p>If you wanna be happy for your college life,
Never make a pretty bike your ride,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly bike to carry you.</p>
<p>^^I like! </p>
<p>Too, if you are worried about bike seat getting stolen, get a small length of steel cable at Lowes or Home Depot and loop it through hardware under seat and fasten to bike frame–it will slow down jerks who get off on stealing seats.</p>
<p>they fix everything for free at the bike repair shop, its paid for by student government. and free air 24/7. but if your repair requires parts, you have to provide them. not that big a deal, since there is a store in the union that sells outdoorsy type stuff, I think it is called the outfitters or something like that. after my bike wheel popped, I got a new inner tube from there. I don’t remember how much it cost, but I had the money for it in my pocket, so it must have been cheap, lol. and then right after I bought it, I just brought the box & bike to the repair guys, and in 5 minutes I was back on my bike.</p>
<p>and lizard, I’m sorry if it seems like i’m trying to contradict everything you keep saying, but if you’re concerned about the bike seat, just take it with you. most bike seats come off super easy w/ just a lever.</p>
<p>I’ve got enough things to carry around already, I’m not walking around carrying a bicycle seat too.</p>
<p>I guess it’s just a matter of preference. to me, it would be more convenient to just slip my bike seat in my bag rather than the hassle of messing with another chain and lock.
but i rarely carry more than 1 or 2 books with me at any one time.</p>
<p>dont complain… when your bike is stolen or your seat is wet from the rain… lizard</p>
<p>but still, I gotta say that locking up or taking your bike seat with you is getting a little extreme with security. Out of the whole year, I probably saw maybe 1, 2 people do anything like that to their bike. if they want to steal something, they’re gonna take the whole bike, and its not like the school is filled with marauding gangs of vandals who would do something to your bike just for the fun of messing with people.</p>
<p>that was simply my advice. in the 6 weeks i was at summer b, 6 friends’ bikes were stolen and 3 others’ parts were taken… just take care. bikes are not cheap.</p>
<p>Get a bike under $100 so if it is stolen the financial loss isn’t too bad. Even the fancy U-locks can be broken open easily with a bottle jack by thieves looking for expensive bikes to grab.</p>
<p>Sorry to go off topic, but are there kids who bring skateboards or longboards? How do they go about locking those up, or can you take them into class?</p>