<p>I wasn't planning on bringing my bike to UCF with me, as I baby it, store it indoors, and it would kill me to see it messed up or stolen -- it means more to me than "just a bike." However, having discovered that my commute from the Towers to most of my future classes (math, engineering buildings) is around a two-mile round trip, I've opted to bring it along with me. The covered surveillance bicycle parking in the Towers parking garage is also encouraging.</p>
<p>For those that have already spent some time on campus with their bikes, can you offer any tips? How often are bikes stolen or otherwise vandalized? Are there other covered areas to park bikes overnight near the Towers? I only checked out the ground floor of garage G, and the fenced-in bike area looked awful crowded. Thanks!</p>
<p>Just make sure that you park your bike in a cage/area that is visible to others and register your bike’s serial number on UCF PD’s website as many stolen bikes are found abandoned.</p>
<p>Good luck,
Andre</p>
<p>Okay, thanks for tips! I’ll definitely be registering it with the campus PD on day one. I wasn’t giving security a second thought until recently, when I read that a lot of bikes got stolen over spring break, some even right out of the Towers parking garage (where my bike will be kept overnight.) I’ll be removing my seat post and front wheel every night, I guess!</p>
<p>I’ve had one bike stolen from me (although the lock was really crappy and probably easy to cut). My second bike also has an easy release front wheel and seat so when I lock it up, I thread the chain through the front wheel as well. I used to take the seat with me but would forget it in class sometimes which was annoying, as well as carrying it around, so I got lazy. Nothing has gotten stolen yet even though my bike languishes at UCF all the time and sometimes I don’t get around to it for weeks. Although, I don’t think Towers to the math/engineering buildings is a two miles round trip.</p>
<p>I made this account just for you! You’re “not allowed” to take your bike into the dorms. However the fine if they actually catch you is only $25 and I know several people who kept it inside all the time and never got in trouble, one of them for 4 years. </p>
<p>Theft is not much of an issue as far as I can tell. I am very active in the bike community on campus (Spokes Council, check us out on facebook) and also talk to the police about reported thefts semesterly at bike meetings we have with them. There are few thefts reported but they have happened and many go unreported because students figure cops can’t do anything about it. Mostly it seems with improperly locked bikes but there were a string of thefts in Spring 2009 that involved lock cuttings. Some people were caught and shortly after, it stopped. It’s unadvertised but you can register your bike with Parking Services and they give you a sticker to put on your bike. You can also register with UCFPD. Both can help you recover it if it turns up. Also, since you said it’s your baby I probably don’t have to say it but DON’T let UCFPD engrave your bike! Some friends of mine went to get theirs registered and they use a regular metal engraver to register the number they give you. My friend thought it would look all nice and printed. He didn’t realize until too late that it looks really bad. Almost cried.</p>
<p>There is VERY little covered parking on campus. The Towers and one small place in the dorms by Marketplace dining hall are the only places I know of that are covered. We’re working on getting designated parking in the garages but it’s a ways off.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the posts! I’ve been thinking it over, and have decided to leave my bike at home this semester, just to see how commuting between buildings is on-foot. I figure, plenty of vigorous walking every day can’t hurt. :-)</p>
<p>If and when I do bring my bike, I’ll keep in mind the info regarding UCFPD – get the registration, get the sticker, skip the engraving! I’m also checking out Spokes Council now!</p>
<p>BRING YOUR BIKE!!! I’m probably pretty biased because I love to ride everywhere; I commute 6 miles to get to campus. But I hate when I have to walk anywhere. Going to the gym would probably take like 25 minutes if you walked. If you have a car and don’t care about biking much then I guess it might be more of a hassle than its worth. But if you don’t have a car then getting anywhere would suck without a bike. Also, if you don’t have a bike you can’t go on Tuesday Knight Ride or ride the trails which are very nice.</p>
<p>I live about 3 miles off campus and dont have a car so I pretty much rely on my bikes to get me back and forth. Within one year, one of my bikes (while parked on a bike rack) got run over by a golf cart and the university refused to pay to repair it. Another time, someone stole the bolts from my back tire, probably in an attempt to steal it. With that said, I recommend bringing two bikes just in case something happens to the first one. Be wary of thieves. No matter where my class is, I always park in front of the student union in front of the bus stop because theres always people walking around there so much less of a chance of theft. Last tip, use two locks. One to connect the rail to the frame and front tire. Another lock to connect the frame and rear tire. You’ll be good to go.</p>
<p>You should bring your bike. It gets hot and walking is super time consuming. At least with a bike there is a breeze. You can also go grocery shopping using your bike.</p>
<p>Oh, I will have my car available for commuting outside of the school! I’m probably bringing my bike after all, especially for the biking events that are going on – sounds like fun. Hopefully I’m all set as far as locks go. I’ve got a kevlar rope and a Kryptonite U.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tip about locking up at the Student Union; very smart!</p>
<p>A second bike is a great idea. Get a crappy used one that is super ugly for getting to class and save the one you love for longer rides. You can just give the crappy one away when you are done with it.</p>