Bicycling at Stanford
Notice: The next Bike Safety Station at White Plaza will be held on Friday, Dec. 4.
 Bike helmets for $20
The Campus Bike Shop and P&TS have teamed up for this special offer — 50% off the regular helmet price! View all models in stock (All colors may not be available).
 Stanford is a Gold-level "Bicycle Friendly Community"
This prestigious designation recognizes Stanford's efforts to integrate bicyclists into the campus community. Read the press release at the League of American Bicyclists' website.
Check out our other bicycle program pages:
Bicycling is ideally suited to the Stanford area's mild climate, flat terrain and gentle, rolling hills. It's a quiet, affordable, and healthy way to get around. It's also an antidote to the South Bay's growing traffic congestion, noise and air pollution.
Bikes aren't just for fun anymore - a growing number of people are choosing to commute on non-motorized wheels. No more playing "musical chairs" in the parking lots. There is plenty of free bicycle parking on campus - an estimated 12,000 bike rack spaces.
Whether biking recreationally or commuting to work or class, Parking & Transportation Services can help you with:
- Bike registration
- Biking Around Stanford brochure
- Mid-Peninsula Bicycle Map (covers Palo Alto, East Palo Alto,
and Menlo Park; shows recommended routes).
- City and county bike maps (you can access the Santa Clara Valley Bikeways map online to pinpoint bike routes all the way from Palo Alto to Gilroy, bordered by Milpitas, Los Gatos, and the Los Altos Hills)
- Brochures to make your ride easier and safer
- Clothes locker and bike storage rentals, and information on the location of showers
Contact the campus Bicycle Coordinator
If you have specific questions on bicycling on campus, please call 725-BIKE (2453), stop by Parking & Transportation Services, or email bike-information@stanford.edu.
Community online bicycling resources
You can also get information on local cycling, bike shops, and bicycling organizations by visiting the following:
- 511.org will provide you with basic information on getting started, offer advice from experienced bike commuters, and locate bike resources around the Bay Area
Bike education opportunities
Bike Diversion Program - Bike Safety Presentations
Fix your bike ticket! This year, the Stanford Department of Public Safety and Parking & Transportation Services introduced the Bicycle Diversion Program. Here is how it works:
In lieu of paying a fine or going to court for a bicycle citation, you may elect to participate in the bicycle diversion program. This program is available only during the first 30 days from the date the citation was issued. After that time period, the citation will be sent to the court for normal processing. You may re-take this class after 18 months, just like drivers traffic school. If you have any questions, please contact SUDPS during office hours at (650) 723-9633.
- Call (650) 723-9633 or check the Bicycle Programs page of the Department of Public Safety website for the date, time and location of the next available bicycle safety presentation
- Enroll and attend a 60 minute bicycle safety presentation put on by the Department of Public Safety and Parking and Transportation Services. You can register online at the Department of Public Safety website.
- Bring the certified card, your copy of the citation, and a picture ID to the presentation
- Correct and have a deputy sign off any license or mechanical violations prior to attending the safety presentation.
- If you complete the program within the 30 day period, the bike citation will be dismissed
Read all about the new program that was recently featured in the Stanford Daily and the Stanford Report.
 White Plaza Bicycle Safety Stations — every Friday at White Plaza, 11am-2pm (weather permitting)
• Come and register your bike, get a free bike safety check-up, pump up those tires and ask questions about bike laws and how to ride on campus.
• Learn how to lock your bike up properly—avoid bike theft.
• Free headlights for FROSH and new transfer students.
Parking & Transportation Services will be holding bike education classes in the winter and spring. Please send an email to bike-information@stanford.edu if you would like to be notified when classes are scheduled.
Bike Repair Clinics at the Campus Bike Shop
• Professional bike mechanic on duty to answer questions
• Tools and stand available for your use
Bike Safety Education Class
A one hour class/discussion led by Ariadne Scott, Stanford Bicycle Program Coordinator. Classes are held at 340 Bonair Siding, Conference Room H.
Topics include:
• Cyclists and the law
• Crashes and how to avoid them
• Bike lanes vs. paths
Learn How to Ride a Bike
Never learned how to ride a bike? We can teach you. Most people can learn the basics of riding a bike in two hours. If you need more time, you can sign up for more than one shift, space permitting.
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Folding bicycle promotion
P&TS invites you to try some of our special folding bike offers, brought to
you in partnership with the Campus Bike Shop:
- Free one-week rentals on folding bikes by Breezer and Dahon
- $100 subsidies for certain models of folding bikes
Eligibility restrictions apply.* Offer
valid for selected models.
Please email bike-information@stanford.edu to take advantage of this
promotion. You will be added to the official "folding bike list," which is
managed by the Bike Coordinator and is required to receive the free rental
or discount promotion.
If you are interested in seeing which models are available, check out the
Campus Bike Shop website.
*Eligibility restrictions: Individuals must live off campus, be required to
be on campus during business hours at least half-time (if employee) or be
registered in classes (if student) for three consecutive months or more; and
be required to display a parking permit in their vehicle (if they chose to
drive) at their principal place of work or study. Limit one per person.
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Bicycle parking and security
- Most thefts can be prevented by properly securing the bicycle with an adequate lock, to a secure parking facility such as a bike rack. U-locks, such as Kryptonite, are recommended, but a knowledgeable thief can easily defeat even these. A 6-foot cable or chain (the thicker the better) used with a U-lock allows you to lock to any rack and secure your wheels as well.
- Be aware that any cable is easily cut. Don't entrust your good
bicycle to a cable alone. Most bike
thefts on campus are due to "cut" cable
locks.
- When parking your bike, don't obstruct walkways, railings, doorways or ramps intended for use by pedestrians or people with disabilities. Improperly parked bikes will be removed and impounded by Stanford Public Safety. Utilize bicycle racks whenever possible.
- Report a stolen bike to Stanford Public Safety Department immediately, 723-9633 or call the local police department within the community where the bike was stolen. To report a theft or other crime in progress call 9-911 on campus phones, 911 from other phones.
- Provide the Bike Registration Number, Serial Number, Make, Model, Size and Color
If left unattended, a bicycle may be tagged
by the Stanford University Department of
Public Safety as abandoned. If the bicycle
is not removed in 2 weeks, the department
may claim it. This abatement process
is performed in student living areas and
other parts of campus on an ongoing basis.
So please, we recommend you do not store
your bike for more than 24 hours by locking
it to a bike rack, or it may be removed
by the time you return. Register your bike
so you can be notified in the case that
it is picked up as abandoned.
For questions about abandoned bikes, go to the Department of Public Safety website.
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Bicycle registration
All bicycles used on campus must be licensed with Santa Clara County. Register your bike at the Parking & Transportation Services office; it's your only chance of recovering it if stolen. The registration fee is $3.50 and lasts for three years.
Alternatively, bring your bicycle to our office at 340 Bonair Siding (leave bikes outside the lobby, please), and fill out a bicycle registration form. Please note that you must have your bike with you for us to verify the serial number.
Some of the questions you'll be asked include:
• Frame size (see photo [JPG, 66 KB] on how to measure frame size; yard sticks are available in our office)
• Wheel size (usually listed on the bike tire)
• Bicycle serial number (usually located under bottom bracket of bike)
If you have any difficulty finding this information, ask one of our staff members, and we'll be happy to help you.
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Bicycle storage locations
Bike storage lockers:
- Medical Center lockers: $24/year through Parking & Transportation. Contact the Bike Coordinator at bike-information@stanford.edu.
- Computer Science (Gates building): lockers owned by department.
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Clothes locker and shower locations
Stanford offers several clothes lockers and showers around campus for bike commuters. If you'd like more information on rental availability or a map of these locations, send an email to the bike coordinator, or stop by our office for more information.
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Bicycles on public transit
All the public transportation options in the Bay Area are bike friendly too. Caltrain, VTA buses, VTA Light Rail, BART and even the Stanford Marguerite shuttle accommodate bicycles with bike racks to mount bikes or with on board capacity. Refer to specific sites for rules and regulations as there are restrictions on some modes of travel: Caltrain - 800-660-4287, VTA - 408-321-2300, and BART. In addition, a great reference for all transportation-related services is located at http://transit.511.org.
- Most Caltrains accommodate 32 bikes on board. Baby Bullet trains accommodate 16 bikes. Look for the yellow sticker on the northern-most train car. Because of high demand, there may be insufficient bike space at commute hours, especially on southbound AM and northbound PM express trains. This is especially true during on Bike to Work Day in May, so plan accordingly.
- Folding bikes are allowed on BART and Caltrain (see each agency's website for folding bike policies). You can learn about folding bikes at http://www.foldsoc.co.uk/. Now is the time to consider owning such a bike! Read about our current folding bicycle promotion.
- All Santa Clara County (VTA) buses can carry 2 bikes on front-mounted racks and 2 more inside the bus at driver's discretion.
- The Dumbarton Express bus from the Union City BART station can carry 2 bikes on front-mounted racks.
- VTA Light Rail vehicles carry 4 bikes per car in the center swivel section; each train typically has 2 cars.
- Stanford's Marguerite Shuttles carry up to 2 bikes.
- The Line U bus from the Fremont BART station and Centerville ACE Train station can carry up to 6 bikes per bus.
Bicycling safety tips
- Always wear a helmet
- Register your bike
- Don't use a cell phone while riding unless using a hands-free device
- Ride at a safe speed for conditions
- Have your brakes adjusted and working properly
- Stop at stop signs
- Ride on the right side of the roadway
- Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- Ride in the correct direction in one-way areas
- Use lights when riding after dark
While riding your bicycle, obey all traffic laws and buy and wear a bicycle helmet! Helmets can greatly reduce the risk of head injuries and death. Don't "hit the road" without one! However, even the best helmet has limitations. Defensive cycling is the key to bicycle safety. According the California Vehicle Code, every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and responsibilities of the driver of a motor vehicle. You may be cited for running stop signs, riding at an unsafe speed for conditions, riding on the wrong side of the road or upon sidewalks, wearing headphones while riding, talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, not having legal brakes, etc. Cyclists are required by state law to use front white lights, rear red reflectors, pedal and side reflectors at night. Additional lights - especially rear red flashers, reflectors, and light colored clothing are a good idea.
For more information about Bicycle Safety, please visit the California DMV Bicycle Safety website.
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Palo Alto Bikestation - Now open
The concept of the newly reopened Palo Alto Bikestation is modeled after the Long Beach Bikestation and thousands of successful European and Japanese bike facilities which operate today. Amenities include bike parking, commuter and recreational rentals, bike repairs, basic bicycle accessory sales, changing room and an outdoor seating area with concessions.
The Palo Alto Transit Center is a central hub for the Caltrain commuter train line, SamTrans bus lines, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus lines, and the Dumbarton Express, as well as Stanford University's Marguerite Shuttle. The Bikestation facility is located on the North side of the Depot on the train boarding platform adjacent to the bus loading/unloading area. The Bikestation brings meaning to the term "intermodal transportation" providing Palo Alto with one of the best examples in the country.
The Palo Alto Bikestation is a project of the City of Palo Alto and is
managed and operated by Palo Alto Bicycles. For more information, visit: http://www.bikestation.org
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Buying & selling used bicycles
Used bicycles offer a less expensive, functional alternative to buying a new bike. For individuals looking to buy a used bicycle, or for those trying to sell one, look here for the best places in the area to buy, sell or advertise a used bike.
Bike shops
There are over 15 bicycle shops in the area of campus, even a shop right on campus for your convenience. Listed below are a few that offer full-service bicycle sales, repairs and more within a 2-mile radius.
- Campus Bike Shop
459 Lagunita Dr., Unit #12, Stanford, CA 94305 (Located in Tresidder Union next to the Coho Coffee House)
(650) 723-9300
- Cardinal Bike Shop
1955 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (just north of Stanford Avenue, next to Sundance Mine Co. restaurant)
(650) 328-8900
- Menlo Velo Bicycles
433 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (North of the Stanford Shopping Center)
(650) 327-5137
- Mike's Bicycles
2180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (Between Stanford Avenue and College at Oxford)
(650) 493-8776
- Palo Alto Bicycles
171 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301 (Downtown Palo Alto)
(650) 328-7411
- The Bike Connection
2086 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306 (just south of Stanford Avenue, near Escondido Village)
(650) 424-8034
- The Bike Connection
622 Santa Cruz Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025 (Downtown Menlo Park)
(650) 327-3318
The Online, su.market Usenet Newsgroup
Many bikes and other items are bought and sold using an online bulletin board called "su.market." This requires "Usenet newsreader" software such as Netscape Navigator's "Netscape News" window, and access to a Usenet news host that receives the "su.market" newsgroup. Contact your Internet provider for details.
Department of Public Safety
Public Safety sells some of the abandoned
bikes at Stanford. Visit their website for details.
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Resources for all nonmotorized commuters
- Clean Air Cash Rewards (we'll give commuters up to $282/year for not driving alone on to campus)
- Commuter clothes lockers: Most buildings: $16/yr through Parking & Transportation.
- Arrillaga and Roble Gyms have lockers, which they rent to staff, faculty, and students.
Those lockers cost: $50/yr (faculty & staff), $35/yr (student).
- Showers in several buildings and gymnasiums
- Bicycle Tutor (Video tutorials courtesy of bicycletutor.com. Learn how to fix your own bike!)
Resources for anyone not driving solo on a given day
- Emergency Ride Home (for emergencies like bike breakdowns, up to 4 times a year - effective after one-time registration with Parking & Transportation Services. And it's free!)
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Resources/Advocacy organizations
Bay Area
Beyond
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Bicycle route maps
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