Notice: Liability for Bikes and Personal Items

Stanford University is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use of bike storage and bike parking facilities at Stanford University.

Your personal responsibility

• If you use the bike facilities at Stanford University, it is at your own risk.
• Don’t allow anyone to follow you into the cage without using their Stanford ID card and/or code to enter.
• See Something, Say Something. Report any suspicious behavior. In an emergency, call 911 or 9-911 from a Stanford phone, or use a blue emergency tower.

If you violate or abuse your access privileges, you will be denied access to the bike storage facilities at Stanford University.

Secure your property:

• Lock your bike to a bike rack (including wheels and frame), even inside the bike cage or room.
  • Main campus: Bike cage spaces are available at Knight Management Center Garage, Stock Farm Garage, Via Ortega Garage, and the new Center for Academic Medicine (CAM).
  • Stanford Redwood City: Bike cage spaces are available at BeWell Recreation Center and the A2 Building next to Barron Garage.
  • Visit our Reserve Bike Storage page to learn more.
• Use a U-shape lock, not a cable lock, which can be cut easily.
• Do not leave items on or attached to the bike that can be easily removed.
• You can also secure your seat and wheels with bolt-on devices (instead of quick release) for added protection.

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

Please refer to our How to Lock Your Bike infographic for tips on how to securely lock your bike.

• 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 wheels to the bike rack.
• Do not park your bike and block entryways or stairs or lock it to railings: Your bike can be impounded for impeding access.
• If you lose your bike lock key:
  • On the main campus: call the Campus Bike Shop at 650.723.9300 to have the lock cut (for a fee).
  • At Stanford Redwood City (SRWC): contact SRWC call center at 650.723.SRWC (9972) if the matter is urgent. If you don’t need an immediate response, contact srwc-operations@stanford.edu.

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.

If your bike is stolen, follow these instructions:

At the main campus:

1. 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.
2. Provide the Bike Registration Number, Serial Number, Make, Model, Size and Color.

At Stanford Redwood City:

1. Report a stolen bike to Redwood City Police Department immediately by calling 650.780.7118 or by filing a theft report. Alternatively, you can call the SRWC call center at 650.723.SRWC (9972).To report a theft or other crime in progress call 911.
2. Provide the Bike Registration Number, Serial Number, Make, Model, Size and Color.

Abandoned bicycles:

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. Bike registration events take place the first Friday of each month on the main campus and at SRWC. Please refer to the Bicycle Program home page for upcoming locations.

For questions about abandoned bikes, please go to the Department of Public Safety website.