<p>I noticed when we were visiting campus, most had a similar style of bike. We were told there is a company that comes on campus at the beginning of the semester to sell them. Does anyone know how much they cost? Are there ever used ones by students for sale?</p>
<p>i am a current USC student so i thought i’d answer your question.</p>
<p>the “similar style” you are referring to is a beach cruiser (wide handlebars, no gears, etc)</p>
<p>a great majority of people buy their bikes from the bike shop in the UV (university village shopping complex across jefferson from campus)…so that’s why many people have the exact same bike.</p>
<p>a lot of people buy their bikes elsewhere (other shops, ebay, etc).</p>
<p>if you are looking to buy a used bike for cheaper, the shop in the UV sells used ones and at the beginning of every year DPS (department of public safety, USC’s “police”) have a sale of all the bikes they have impounded.</p>
<p>this sale is first-come, first-served. i’ve never been to one of these sales, but everyone says they are NUTS. people have been known to camp out overnight to be in the front of the line for these sales, because once the bikes are gone, they’re gone.</p>
<p>if you are interested in this sale, i would call DPS for more information.</p>
<p>Whatever you do, buy a solid metal U-lock. If you buy a flexible chain lock, it will get cut and your bike will get stolen.</p>
<p>I got my beach cruiser at Target for a pretty cheap price. They are convenient because they are less expensive, and you don’t really need gears around USC- there are no hills on campus.</p>
<p>I saw some on ebay at around $200, is it kinda cheap??? I’m also wondering if it common for freshmen to use a bike? or most ppl start at sophmore year? I’M SOOOO EXCITED FOR THE BIKES!! IT’S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE REASONS I CHOSE USC!</p>
<p>I got my bike for about $70, so $200 isn’t cheap. However, I didn’t get a particularly nice bike. Freshmen definitely bike.</p>
<p>You can get one at Target or Walmart for $100 or less. Everyone bikes.</p>
<p>On a similar note, do people longboard around campus?</p>
<p>For sure, people bicycle, skateboard, longboard and even scooter.</p>
<p>People do long board around campus. My son is in the longboard club and they have social outings where they all go riding in different parts of LA. Unfortunately, Freshman year his first board was stolen from his dorm room over christmas</p>
<p>bikes?!?!?! :)</p>
<p>I’m so excited! :D</p>
<p>Does anyone know where we park bikes for Marks Hall? Is the area secure?</p>
<p>As long as you use the proper locks and always lock up the frame to a bikestand, you should be okay. There are bike stands right in front of Marks Hall, and tons more around campus.</p>
<p>When I visited, everyone had a pink, green, blue, or purple cruiser. How do you guys differentiate among them all to find your own? Do you put something distinctive on it, or is there an “assigned” spot?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Will the mini U lock work for the bike racks, or is the full sized U lock better?</p>
<p>Are most of the stolen bikes those that are just left out with a U lock on them? I saw lots of those when I visited.</p>
<p>DPS will have a presentation about bike safety during orientation, and your RA will also have information. The big U-Locks are better, as it is easier to lock the bikes to a rack. Generally putting some sort of identifier on your bike is good (for girls, stickers or a ribbon). Also, remember where you parked it.</p>
<p>Alot of the bikes that are stolen have their flexible chain lock cut and person just rides it away. Its much, much harder to cut a solid metal U-lock and you can’t ride it if you put it through the wheel so they would have to carry it away. Alot of people just leave their bike out with the U-lock while some actually attach it to the bike racks.</p>
<p>@ NonSenescent</p>
<p>I’m sure if you can open the lock, the bike is yours. ;D
…unless you’re stealing it or something.</p>
<p>Lots of bikes do get stolen, and yes, they are usually the ones not locked to a rack or anything. I’ve had two bikes stolen this way. I’m just too lazy to change my ways haha…</p>