Parking permits required at Stanford's main campus and Stanford Redwood City

Commuters and residents are required to have a valid parking permit purchased through the online ordering system to avoid potential citations. Read our article to learn more.

For COVID-related transportation updates, please visit our Stanford Transportation COVID-19: Featured Topics page. If you are interested in learning more about your commute options as you return to campus, please refer to our Returning to Your Stanford commute page.

Bike Information and Resources for New Students

Bicycling is ideally suited to Stanford's mild climate and flat terrain. Riding a bike is the fastest way to get around—there is capacity to park over 12,000 bikes on the campus. You don't need a car. The Marguerite shuttle, Zipcar (car sharing), Enterprise Rent-A-Car and other options are available for trips not suited to cycling.

 

Bicycle Safety Class & Bicycle Citation Diversion Class (if you received a bike citation)

bike program logo
Free class! Learn all the rules of the road when riding. If cited, you may attend this class in lieu of paying your fine.

Class is hosted twice a month by Stanford Public Safety. Sign up via the Department of Public Safety website.

Bike helmets — Special $25 price (Campus Bike Shop)

Protect your brain! Wear a helmet every time you ride.

The Campus Bike Shop

The Campus Bike Shop is a full service bike shop for repairs and sale of bike gear and equipment.

Need help with biking or transit?

Request a bike or transit plan, and we’ll show you how to get there! Send email to Stanford’s Commute Club for a free bike or transit plan or other assistance.

Bicycle Safety, Bike Registration, and How to Avoid a Citation

sprocket man

  • Follow all traffic laws. Bicyclists are expected to comply with the same traffic laws as automobile drivers and may be ticketed if they do not.
  • To avoid a citation, know the rules of the road summarized in our Bike Safety Flyer. To be a safe rider, be sure to stop at all stop signs, ride in the direction of traffic, use a light at night, always yield to pedestrians on shared pathways—and wear a helmet for every ride, even short trips.
  • Learn about special discounts and incentives that are available and what others are saying about wearing a bike helmet on our "Love your brain" page.
  • Register your bike—it provides legal proof the bike belongs to you in case of loss or theft. Stanford Public Safety manages the online bike registration program as of 2020.

Want to keep your bike? Lock it up the right way!

lock your bike safety

  • Lock your bike with a U-shaped lock, not a cable lock that can be easily cut.
  • Always lock your bike to a bike rack when possible; lock the frame and wheel to the bike rack.
  • Do not park your bike and block entryways or stairs or lock to railings; your bike can be impounded for impeding access.
  • If you lose your bike lock key, call the Campus Bike Shop at 650. 723.9300 to have the lock cut (for a fee).
  • If your bike is stolen or lost, contact Public Safety, non-emergency number, 650.723.9633.

Bike Resources, Events, and Activities on Campus

white plaza bike resource tent

  • Whether you are purchasing a bike or have a bike you need to transport to Stanford, the Campus Bike Shop offers convenient services. You can ship your current bike to the Campus Bike Shop or purchase a bike from them, and they’ll have it ready when you arrive. Other options to purchase a new bike? Check our listing of bike shops in the area.
  • Free Bike Safety Road Shows for your dorm or organization. Sprocket Man joins us to review bike safety tips, demo how to lock a bike, show proper helmet fit, and more. Includes free bike tune-ups! Book a show now: email bike-information@stanford.edu.
  • Register your bike and receive free bike safety information and ID cards.
  • White Plaza Bike Safety Stations hosted every Friday at White Plaza, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the academic year.
  • Stanford Transportation offers free bike safety information, bike registration, assistance with bike routes to and from the campus.
  • Maintain a safe bike—check out one of seven Bike Safety Repair stands that have tools for self-service minor repairs and a pump to inflate your tires.

Alternative Transportation Information & Resources

alternative transportation

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, refer to the pre-ride safety checklist (PDF, 34 KB)
  • 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 are a good idea, especially red rear flashers, light colored clothing, and extra reflectors.

More information about bicycle safety