You see the red bikes at racks across campus. 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.
The UW has partnered with Lime for dockless bike share on campus. Lime offers electric-assist bikes (which give you a boost as you pedal to get around the city more easily) as well as regular geared bikes. The bikes can be found and dropped off throughout Seattle as well as the UW campus.
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 available for rent using the app, or find one parked around campus.
- Scan the QR code on the back of the bike 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. Push closed the lock on the back wheel to end your ride.
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 bshare@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.