<p>D will start in a few weeks and I have some transportation questions. She will not have a car on campus.</p>
<ul>
<li>Do you need a bike to be comfortable? Can you get away without having one?</li>
<li>Any good place to buy a used bike? Is there a place where it can be serviced?</li>
<li>How much should she budget for a bike that is in good enough shape, but not too good as to be a target for thieves?</li>
<li>Can a bike be used during the colder/wet months in winter? Would she need fenders?</li>
<li>Is the Zipcar program a good option for when you absolutely need a car?</li>
</ul>
<p>The whole campus is easily walkable and students ride the SLO busses for free. I wouldn’t send a bike until she’s certain she really wants one. She can learn how to service it herself on campus if she gets one. There’s a bike tuning booth and classes in the craft center. </p>
Having a bike is convenient, but you could get by without one. My son uses his a lot and is glad to have it.
I don’t know where to buy a used bike, but Foothill Cyclery is close to campus and has provided good repair service at a reasonable price. They also had good prices on new bikes when my son was looking. They may sell used bikes - I just don’t know.
Budget? Theft is not a huge problem at Cal Poly, but it happens. Get a great lock and use it faithfully. Most bikes on campus are middle of pack, but there are some students with really expensive bikes. Bikes can also be insured - your homeowner’s insurance might even cover it while she is in the dorms.<br>
Winter use is a preference, but it’s not usually that cold, especially during the days. Rain is not a big issue either; it would be more accurate to say wet days vs. wet months. Some riders have a low tolerance for the increased cold due to wind chill, but others prefer being a little colder in order to get where they are going faster. Fenders aren’t needed.
Zipcar is great for students without a car, but it usually requires advanced planning. They don’t have enough cars to always be able to get one at the spur of the moment.</p>
<p>There are some significant hills on campus and around town, so it’s not always an easy bike ride. </p>
<p>If your daughter enjoys riding a bike, she will enjoy riding one at SLO. If she doesn’t normally ride one, she probably won’t miss/need/want one. Bus service is great for getting around town (and it’s free). If she wants to pick up a used bike at SLO, according to SLO University Police, the next fall bike auction will be held fall quarter 2014. No further information available at this time, but keep checking link for updates <a href=“Cal Poly Police Department - Cal Poly Police Department - Cal Poly”>https://www.afd.calpoly.edu/police/</a> Also, SLO has 224 secure bike lockers available on campus. If you think she will want to rent one, contact Commuter & Access Services at 805-756-6680. Those lockers go quickly. </p>
<p>My son and his roommates brought bikes down when they moved in and used them a lot. </p>