Bike To Work Day – Tempe 2013

Hello cyclists. Happy Bike To Work Day! Did you ride into the office on your two-wheeler today? I sure hope so! In my vast research, I noticed that some cities hold “Bike To Work Day” during the winter or maybe biking to work consists of a whole month instead of just one day. In Tempe, it seems that many residents bike to work or school on a daily basis, month or even year-long, and we are lucky for this luxury because I don’t think I’d see many of us Sun Devils out there riding around on bikes if Tempe received a snowstorm. We are lucky to have amazing weather and over 40 miles of bike lanes. So today, Tempe cyclists, get out there and ride! Or go to work. Whatever.

That Bike On Campus

I couldn’t walk by this bike on the ASU campus without snapping a photo. I’m usually drawn to unique bikes and this one certainly caught my eye when I was locking up my bike in front of the Computer Commons.

Lots of students ride bikes to campus and this was no exception. Do you ride a bike to school? I sure do!

Register Your Bike With ASU!

If you ride your bike to campus, you have probably seen many other students cycling to class, as well. Because ASU is a haven for students on bikes, unfortunately it’s also a bike thieves’ playground.

In other blog posts, I have recommended ways to protect your bike from theft, but a simple way to document that your bike belongs to you – is to register it with ASU. It only takes a few minutes to enter your bike’s information and ensures you have proof that your bike is yours!

To register your bike with ASU:

1. Visit https://cfo.asu.edu/bike-regform
2. Enter your information and bike’s serial number
3. Upload a photo of your bike
4. Add any distinguishing features of your bike

• EXAMPLE: My bike has a pink bell, white basket and a zebra striped seat.

If for some reason you need to report your bike stolen, this information will be very helpful in trying to locate it and get it returned to you. Trying to recall exactly what your bike looked like or the serial number could be difficult after the fact. Help yourself out and register your bike! Good luck cyclists!

The Bike Thief Strikes Again

Another bike has been stripped of its wheels, seat and chain on the ASU Tempe campus. This bike was selected by one of the many sneaky bike thieves that like to frequent near the ASU campuses. What was once a stylish ride is now the sad remains of a bike frame, that could end up chained to this pole at the Rural & University light rail stop indefinitely. Many disassembled bikes face the same fate, as many bike owners become discouraged and abandon their once prized two-wheelers.

Don’t let this happen to you! Use a sturdy U-lock and a second lock- a thick cable lock to secure quick release wheels. Also, if you see a suspicious person tampering with a bike, call the Tempe Police at 480.350.8311… Or if you feel brave, strike up a conversation with them about the bike in front of them. This should throw the bike thief a curve ball. We, as cyclists, have to be proactive about making our bikes difficult for a thief to steal. It may not be fair, but you’ll be happier riding your bike than wondering how you will get a wheel-less bicycle home!

Links:

• Don’t Let Your Bike Get Ripped Off
• Stolen Bike Listing
• Stolen Bikes Tucson Velo
• National Bike Registry

Preventing Bike Theft at ASU

I decided to get acquainted with the cyclists on the Tempe campus. I wondered around with my camera in the heat and sun. Well actually, I rode my bike and that’s not easy when carrying a tripod. So I set up a video camera in various locations and watched as people flew by on all sorts of bikes. Not just bikes though. I saw scooters, skateboards, mopeds, motor-assisted bikes, even roller blades! But I just wanted to see and talk to cyclists for this video. So after a few days of filming, I started asking questions to any biker who had a minute to talk. Over a week and a half, I interviewed many students and an ASU police officer specializing in crime prevention. Check out the video below to see what they had to say.

Started the school year with stolen wheels

Editors note: Minor corrections made on 9-6-11.

The fall semester at Arizona State University started last week. In preparation I pulled my blue Schwinn out of hibernation. In mid-June, I fell on gravel leaving a deep gash on my arm and painful road rash. Now I felt ready to hop on my two-wheeler again. Last school year, I was seen peddling as my primary transportation around town, on campus and to the light rail.  I take pride living in a bike friendly city, not to mention enjoy saving money on gas and a pricey parking permit.

Thursday was the first day of school. Within five minutes, I reached the light rail stop at University and Rural roads on ASU campus. I walked over to the bike racks and choose chose a spot to lock up. After securing the bike frame to a rack with a Kryptonite U-lock, I considered its safety for only a second and walked off to catch the train.