Are you already a pro at using bike share to get around campus, or are you wondering how to get started? If you have questions, we've got answers.
You can also find more information on bike share on the Transportation Services website.
Companies have made electric-assist bikes and electric scooters available for rental. The bikes can be found and dropped off throughout Seattle as well as parked in designated areas on the UW campus. One provider is Lime.
How it works
Using the Lime bikes is easy:
- First, download the Lime app on your Apple or Android device and set up an account.
- Locate a bike or scooter available for rent using the app, or find one parked around campus.
- Scan the QR code on the back of the bike bike or scooter in the app to unlock.
- Ride away!
- Once your ride is done, park your bike at a bike rack on campus, or an allowed spot in the rest of the city. Scooters must be parked in designated areas.
Don't forget
There are a few extra things you need to know before hopping on and taking a ride.
- Wear a helmet. It’s the law in King County. If you need help obtaining a helmet, check out the ASUW bike shop for some affordable options, or contact UW Transportation Services.
- Park at a bike rack. Although bike share bikes can be parked in the right of way (the area between the sidewalk and the curb) in other parts of Seattle, bikes must be parked at a bike rack on campus. Make sure bikes are not blocking any sidewalk, doorway, ramp, or any place where it could block pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
- Obey all traffic laws and campus policies. Always yield to pedestrians, and practice safe riding techniques when cruising around campus. Check out some general bicycle safety tips and rules from Transportation Services here.
- Do a safety check before you ride. Make sure the wheels aren’t flat and the brakes are in working order (give them a squeeze) before unlocking the bike. Report any damage directly to Lime in the app.
Keep bikes in the proper place
On campus, bikes should be parked at bike racks. They definitely shouldn't be blocking pedestrians, doors, ramps or causing issues on campus. If a bike is parked in a place where it shouldn’t be, there are a few options for reporting it:
- Contact Lime directly by reporting the bike as mis-parked in the app.
- Contact Transportation Services by emailing ucommute@uw.edu. Make sure to include the location of the bike(s) as well as a photo.
Photo by Flickr user SounderBruce under a Creative Commons license.