Bike To Campus

The easiest way to find free, convenient parking on campus while also getting great exercise? Ride your bike!

Bike to Campus

WashU Rides, our one-stop source for your commute planning needs, can help you find your best bike routes to campus, identify dedicated bike paths/lanes, form a “bike pool” with other WashU commuters, and more.

Campus Bike Policy (PDF)

Campus Bike Paths, Racks & Fixit Stations

Interactive Campus Bike Map

Gold-level Bicycle Friendly University Award

The League of American Bicyclists has named WashU a Gold-level Bicycle Friendly University, recognizing our efforts to promote and enable safe, accessible bicycling on the Danforth Campus, a collaboration of multiple WashU departments and teams.

Bike. Run. Drive. A commuter story.
January 19, 2022; WashU Sustainability

Register Your Bike for Free

If you are a Danforth Campus student, faculty, or staff member, please register your bike.
It is fast, easy, and mobile-friendly.

  1. Register your bike and select your registration sticker delivery option at Project529.com/washu (must enter /washu). 
    To ensure you receive it, double check that you entered your full address correctly. WashU now uses Mail Stop Codes (MSCs) instead of Campus Boxes. MSCs are only numbers, not building names or street addresses. Learn more about MSCs and look yours up here.
  2. Once you receive your sticker, follow the instructions on the attached slip of paper to finalize registration. So you can be contacted if your stolen bike is recovered, log into your Project 529 account and add your sticker’s registration number to link the sticker to your account. Registration isn’t complete until this is step is done.
  3. Attach the sticker to your bike frame in a visible manner to protect it from theft, assist in the recovery if it’s lost or stolen or locate it if impounded due to a policy violation.

NOTE: Due to Covid-19, we have suspended in-person pick-up options. Instead, you can have it sent through WashU campus mail to your MSC (mail stop code) or to your home address via USPS. It should arrive within three weeks.

Rentals, Tune Ups and Safety Gear

  • Discounts on safety gear
    – $25 Kryptonite U-Lock Buy high quality bike lock at cost from the WashU Police Department.
    – Bike helmets Purchase at cost from Bears Bikes on the South 40.
  • Free bike tune-ups and commuter fairs offered by Parking & Transportation and the Office of Sustainability.
  • Utilize the Active Commuter Hub Located on the East End, the hub offers members a place to shower, change, store their commute clothes, and get ready for the day.
  • Visit Bears Bikes Located on the South 40, Bears Bikes is a WashU student-owned-and-operated company that offers bike rentals, repairs, and storage.
  • Self tune-up stations
    Located across the Danforth campus with tools to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance. Find instructions in the Bicycle Repair Quick Guide or at the station.
Park Smart – Proper Bike Parking

Want to keep your bike? Park and lock it correctly!

  • Lock both your frame and rear wheel to a bike rack with a sturdy U-Lock, not a cable lock that can be easily cut.
  • For added security, use a long, sturdy cable lock to lock both wheels to the U-Lock.
  • Always park at a bike rack and never at railings, ramps, trees, benches or anywhere that blocks pedestrian and vehicular access. Your bike can be impounded for impeding access and posing a safety risk.

Bike racks are for daily commuters only. Bikes parked at a rack for more than two weeks without moving will be removed to make space for others. Only individuals living on campus can park for more than two weeks at a bike rack near their residence hall.

Under the WashU Police Department (WUPD) Lock-In-Place program that aims to reduce bike theft, your bike may be locked to a bike rack by WUPD staff if you don’t properly secure it yourself. To unlock your bike, please follow WUPD’s instructions listed on the U-Lock.

Ride Smart – Rules of the Road
  • Keep a three-foot distance from pedestrians, and walk your bicycle when paths are crowded.
  • Yield to pedestrians; they have the right-of-way.
  • Keep right and pass on the left. Give an audible signal before passing, such as “to your left” or ringing a bike bell.
  • Obey all of the same traffic laws, signs, and lights that apply to motor vehicles.
  • Gear up for your own safety. Helmet, lights, and reflectors are a must-have when riding on streets. Always use lights and reflective materials from dusk to dawn (white front light, red back light/reflector and reflective material/lights visible from each side of the bike).
  • Don’t use earbuds/headphones in both ears so that you can hear any warnings/dangers.
Reporting a Missing Bike

If you believe your bike is lost or was stolen from campus, contact WashU PD at 314-935-5555. If it was stolen off campus, contact the local police department.

You can also mark your bike missing or stolen and start an alert in your 529 Garage account or on the 529 Garage app. An alert allows you to print or email your saved bike information directly to a police officer or insurance agent.

Biking Made Easy

Regional Resources & Biking Tips
Local Laws

Questions? Contact rides@wustl.edu