UW Police Bicyclist Information Page

Bike Safety Tips

CLICK HERE to register your bike with the UW Police Department.

• Never leave your bike unlocked even for a minute. Take your time to make sure that your bike is properly secured.
• Don't park your bike in the same location all the time. Don't allow thieves to target your bike. Thieves prefer that you park in dark and less-traveled areas.

The majority of the bicycles stolen on campus are locked with cable locks.

• Use a U-Lock instead of a cable lock. The U-Locks are solid steel and are very hard to cut. The cable locks are easily cut with cutting devices. If you prefer to have a lock that is flexible like the cable lock, make sure that it is 3/8" in diameter. Locks can be purchased (at a discounted price) at Hall Health, or at any of the local bike shops in town.
• Don't secure your bike with a cheap lock.
• Always secure your bike to a bike rack or solid object. Secure both wheels and frame.
• Remember that locks are only a deterrent.
• Report all suspicious people loitering around bike racks.

Registering your bike can improve the chances of it being recovered if it is stolen.

CLICK HERE to register your bike with the UW Police Department.

Local Bike Shops

ASUW Bike Shop
HUB 103 Box 352238
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-2238
Phone: (206) 543-2742;
Fax: (206) 221-2533
Email: asuwbike@u.washington.edu
Located on the first floor of the HUB, down the north hall. Open from
10AM - 5PM Monday through Friday

Off Campus Locations
Bikesport 5601 24th Ave N W Seattle, WA 98107 Phone: (206) 706-4700	Gregg's Greenlake Cycles 7007 NE Woodlawn Avenue Seattle, WA 98115 Phone: (206) 523-1822
Counterbalance Bicycles 2 W Roy St Seattle, WA 98119 Phone: (206) 352-3252	Montlake Bicycle Shop 2223 24 Ave. East Seattle, WA 98112 Phone: (206) 329-7333
Recycled Cycles 1007 N E Boat Street Seattle, WA 98105 Phone: (206) 547-4491	REI #11 222 Yale Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109-5429 Phone: (206) 223-1944
Second Ascent 5209 Ballard Ave N. W. Seattle, WA 98107 Phone: (206) 545-8810	Velo Bike Shop 1535 11th Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Phone: (206) 325-3292

Bike Theft Prevention

Parts and Accessories

• If It Can Be Removed, It Can Be Stolen! Adjustable bicycle seats are a good example of parts that are stolen.
• You may ask, "Why would anyone want to sell a stolen bicycle seat?" The answer is to sell to someone who has a bicycle without a seat! It's an ugly cycle.
• It is a good idea to engrave identifying markings on anything removable to aid in recovery, but better is to secure your bicycle parts so that they can not be removed easily.

Method of Securing Parts

• The low tech method to secure your wheels and seat is to remove the quick releases all together and bolt them onto the bicycle. This may make changing a flat tire harder but will slow down and deter thieves.
• If you want some overkill, use Loctite Red Thread locker (you will need heat and a wrench to remove the bolt). The other low tech method is if you have a removable seat, take it with you.
• To protect your wheels, always lock them with a strong lock.

Check out the UWPD's engraver (return within 72 hours) to place indentifying marks on bikes or electronics!