Bike repair and security

Look after your bike – if it is defined as unroadworthy, with two or more of the following problems – it may be considered abandoned and taken away:

• flat front/rear/both tyres
• missing wheel
• missing seat
• buckled front/rear/both wheels
• bent forks
• seized/damaged brakes
• rusted chain/gears
• missing chain

If your bike needs minor repair, take a look at these videos to help you fix some common problems. Otherwise, the Mobile Mechanic Scheme can help.

The University has teamed up with two local companies – Oxford Mobile Cycle Repairs (OMCR) and Walton Street Cycles (WSC) – to provide staff with a mobile bike repair service for punctures, brakes, cables, gears and lights.

Labour is free for staff (although not for students), as long as you use the bike to travel to and from work or on University business, and you must show your University card. You will need to pay at the point of service for any parts your bike needs, but your mobile mechanic will give you a quote before undertaking any work. 

The mobile mechanic can only repair a limited number of bicycles in each session on a first come, first served basis.

Mobile mechanic sessions (also known as the Bike Doctor)

Please note all timings listed below are subject to demand. If demand is low, the mechanics may leave early, so we recommend bringing your bike for repairs earlier in the day if possible.

Oxford Mobile Cycle Repairs 

• Oxford University Old Road Campus (between the Big Data Institute and Kennedy Institute buildings), Fridays 9am – 5pm. This service operates via a booking sheet available midday - 4pm on Thursdays at the Richard Doll Building reception. Payment is by cash only.
• University Club, Wednesdays 9am – 4pm. Located in the cycle parking area. Use the vehicle delivery entrance to the University Club by the fenced sports pitch and follow the curved wall round to the right. Payment is by cash only.

Walton Street Cycles

• Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, outside the Gibson building, second and fourth Fridays of the month 8:30am – 3:30pm.
• St Cross/Manor Rd Buildings car park, St Cross Road, first and third Fridays of the month 8:30am – 3:30pm.

If you leave your bike in the wrong place on University property, or if it is in a state of poor repair it may be considered abandoned and then removed. This may happen if it:

• is secured in a dangerous position, for instance blocking a road or emergency access
• is secured to a University cycle rack and in an unroadworthy condition
• is secured in an inappropriate place, for instance causing an obstruction to pedestrian or disabled access
• has not been moved for several weeks

If we notice an abandoned bike or someone reports it to us, a tag will be attached to the handlebar warning the owner to remove the bike. If it is not removed within 7 days it will be taken away and held in a secure compound for 5 weeks. The University has authorised Oxford Direct Services to do this.

If your think your bike has been removed you can reclaim it from Streetscene, Cowley Marsh, Marsh Road, Oxford OX4 2HH. Contact Streetscene on 01865 249811 to enquire.  Before they release it, you will need to prove you own the bicycle by giving a description (colour, make/model and identifying features) and telling them where you left the bike.

If you don't reclaim it after five weeks, the bicycle will be donated to our partners at Broken Spoke Bike Co-op, recycled as scrap metal or used in other recycling schemes. We do not sell abandoned bikes to University staff, students nor members of the public.

Noticed an abandoned bike? Help us keep the streets and pavements safe by reporting a bike that is unroadworthy or causing an obstruction.