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Riding your bike

Riding your bike graphic

Whether you are a fair weather rider or a hardcore bike activist, UW Tacoma welcomes cyclists. Bicycling is an excellent choice for the environment and your health.

Parking your bike

When parking your bike, utilize bicycle racks whenever possible. There are several bike racks around campus including a sheltered rack at the southeast end of the Library, near the C Street curve.

Don’t obstruct walkways, railings, doorways or ramps intended for use by pedestrians or people with disabilities. Bicycles are prohibited from being parked in the public spaces of buildings on campus. 

Bicycle parking and security

Most thefts can be prevented by properly securing your bicycle with an adequate lock to a secure parking facility such as a bike rack. 

Report a stolen bike to Campus Safety and Security immediately at 253-692-4416 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.

Bicycle safety

Pierce County requires cyclists to wear helmets. If ridden at night, bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight and a red rear reflector.

Taking your bicycle on the bus, light rail or train

Combining your bike commute with a bus ride can be a great daily option or a back-up plan in case weather or weariness makes riding home less than enjoyable.

All Pierce Transit buses are equipped with bike racks. If the rack is full, bikes may be brought aboard Pierce Transit buses — but not Sound Transit buses (for Sound Transit's bike policy go here). Cyclists are responsible for handling and assuring the security of their bikes. Pierce Transit assumes no responsibility for bikes stolen or damaged while parked at a rack or locker.

The Tacoma Link Light Rail will also accept bicycles.

Lockers and shower stalls

If you prefer to change your clothes or shower before or after cycling there are two private bathrooms on the 3rd floor of GWP that have showers. In addition two new "commuter bathrooms" have opened on the ground floor of the Joy Building that include showers. Lockers are available in the BHS building and Mattress Factory. You must provide your own lock.

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