Do you have any questions about cycling at the University of Waterloo or around the city? Are you looking for somewhere to rent or buy a bike, have your tires pumped, your gears fixed, or somewhere to store your bike during class? The Sustainability Office has put together a list of the most common questions about cycling on and around campus. Being a sustainable commuter shouldn’t be hard – we are here to make it as easy as possible for you!
Still have questions that we haven’t answered? There are a few places you can go:
- For questions regarding on-campus bike rentals, repairs, and general cycling inquiries, contact the UW Bike Centre: bikecentre@wusa.ca
- For questions regarding on-campus storage options, contact Parking Services: uparking@uwaterloo.ca
- For questions regarding bike security, or to report a lost or stolen bike, contact Campus Police: uwpolice@uwaterloo.ca or call 519-888-4911
- For questions regarding the sustainability of cycling, contact the Sustainability Office: sustainability@uwaterloo.ca
Happy cycling!
I'm interested in getting a bike for the term. Where can I rent/buy one?
You can rent a bike from the UW Bike Centre for $45/month or $100/term plus a $250 refundable damage deposit. You can pay for the rental upon picking up your bike. They currently only accept debit and credit. Each bike comes with reflectors, front and rear lights, a U-lock and cable. To rent one of their three models, visit: UW Bike Centre - Spring 2020 Rental Bike Program Regristration.
There are also options to rent bikes close to campus. King Street Cycles in Uptown is a family-owned business that rents both bikes and locks for single days, weeks and more. Ziggys Cycle and Sport in Kitchener rent standard and mountain bikes for one day, a weekend or longer periods, as well.
My tires are flat. Are there pumps on campus?
Yes! You can pump up your tires on campus for free. There are pumps located at the fix-it stations on campus, which are located on the north side of Douglas Wright Engineering (DWE) room 1417 adjacent to Carl A. Pollock Hall (CPH), between Arts Lecture Hall (AL) and Dana Porter Library (DP), and in the St. Jerome’s University (SJU) courtyard. You can also make an appointment at the UW Bike Centre. You can find the locations of all bike repair stations on the Campus Map.
Alternatively, you can purchase an inexpensive bike pump at stores like Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Walmart, and other superstores.
Should I wear a helmet while biking? Where do I get one?
While it’s not legally required if you are over 18 in Ontario, it is strongly recommended that you always wear a helmet while riding a bike. Why take the risk? Protect your head, protect your life.
You can purchase a helmet at bike rental shops in town, or other stores like Canadian Tire and Walmart.
My bike is a little rusty. Where can I get it oiled?
On campus, you can take your bike to the UW Bike Centre (for Spring 2020, visits are appointment-only).
The UW Bike Centre is located on the lower level of the Student Life Centre (SLC 101). To book an appointment, please visit: calendly.com/uwbikecentre/appointments. If you have any questions, you can email the UW Bike Centre at bikecentre@wusa.ca.
I think there's something wrong with my bike, but I don't know what it is. Where can I take it for help?
The UW Bike Centre saves the day yet again! The volunteers are happy to help you with whatever repairs or inquiries you have.
The UW Bike Centre is located on the lower level of the Student Life Centre (SLC 101). For Spring 2020, visits are by appointment only. To book an appointment, please visit: calendly.com/uwbikecentre/appointments. If you have any questions, you can email the UW Bike Centre at bikecentre@wusa.ca.
What is the UW Bike Centre doing to accommodate social distancing guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Bike Centre is taking all the necessary steps to protect your health, the health of its volunteers, and the health of everyone on campus. You can read about their precautionary steps on their website.
Does the University of Waterloo have a cycling club?
We sure do! The University of Waterloo Cycling Club (UWCC) is for all skill levels, with opportunities to participate in road cycling and mountain biking in both competitive and recreational events. Check out the club’s Facebook group or Instagram for more information.
Within the broader community, the Waterloo Cycling Club is a membership-only group for cyclists of all levels to participate in organized rides and events, races and community leadership opportunities! Students pay a discounted membership ($25/year + OCA Fee).
Is Waterloo a bike-friendly city? Are there any good trails around campus?
Waterloo is a very bike-friendly city! From trails, to bike lanes and bike traffic lights, to cyclist-friendly restaurants and more, it’s no wonder that the city received a Gold rating from the national Bike Friendly Communities (BFC) Award. You can learn more about all the bike-friendly resources around the City of Waterloo on their cycling webpage.
Laurel Trail insects the east side of campus, following the ION tracks. You can easily access this cycling and walking path by the Davis Centre, which takes you all the way to Kitchener. Beyond campus, there are over 150km of interconnected trails in the City of Waterloo; check out the City of Waterloo cycling webpage to explore the options available to you.
I need a lock for my bike. Where can I get one?
If you rent a bike from the UW Bike Centre, your rental will come with a lock. You can also purchase a lock anywhere else bikes are sold or rented. The UW Bike Centre and Campus Police recommend purchasing a U-lock as they are one of the most secure options available.
For tips on the most (and least) effective ways to lock your bike, visit the Campus Police resource page.
What are the bike storage options on campus for students?
There are communal bike racks located outside most buildings across campus, including lecture halls and residences. You are free to use these. To minimize the risk of theft, it is not advised to store your bike outside overnight.
If you would prefer additional security, the new campus bike cage beside EV3 will soon be in operation for long-term secure storage. Renting a spot in the bike cage costs $10/month and will be managed by Parking Services.
My bike was stolen on campus! What can I do to find it?
The University of Waterloo is not responsible for any lost or stolen bikes on the premises. However, Campus Police is happy to help you try and locate a missing bike. If you need to report a lost or stolen bike, call their number, 519-888-4911, which is monitored 24 hours a day.
Helpful hints: to minimize the struggle of locating a lost or stolen bike, be proactive by taking photos of your bike for easy identification and recording the following information:
- Bike serial number
- The make
- The model
- The number of speeds
- Any unique markings or engravings