Bike repair and security

Get in the habit of checking your bike regularly – simple checks and maintenance can help you enjoy hassle-free riding and avoid repairs.

 

Need a bike lock or lights?

Visit the University online store to buy a set of USB-chargeable bike lights for a 50% discounted price of £6.50. Also available are secure U-Bar bike locks for £23.95.

BUY DISCOUNTED LIGHTS AND LOCKS

 

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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 a minor repair, take a look at these videos to help you fix some common problems. Otherwise, help is on hand from the Mobile Mechanic Scheme.

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.

One way to reduce the chance of you bike being stolen is to use Bike Register.  This secure database, used by police forces across the country, holds information on more than half a million bikes nationwide. Registering is free, simply visit bikeregister.com and add your bike’s details to the database. It has reunited hundreds of cyclists with their stolen bikes.

If you need any further assistance, please contact Security Services at ouss.administration@admin.ox.ac.uk.

It’s very important to lock your bike in the right way to deter thieves:

Bicycle D-Lock

  • use a D-lock (also known as a U-lock or U-bar) and a strong chain or cable lock so that a thief needs to attack two different kinds of locks in one visit – many will move on to an easier target
  • if possible secure the bike to two different immovable objects
  • use a D-lock if you decide to use only one lock and try not to leave room to insert a car jack or scaffold pole into the shackle – both are common ways of attacking these locks
  • if your bike has an expensive saddle, take it off and keep it with you
  • remember to remove your bike lights or they will probably be stolen too

Watch the below video for more help on how to use your D-lock effectively.

Need a bike lock or lights?

Visit the University online store to buy a set of USB-chargeable bike lights for a 50% discounted price of £6.50. Also available are secure U-Bar bike locks for £23.95.

BUY DISCOUNTED LIGHTS AND LOCKS

 

 

How to use a D-Lock to secure your bike

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8MY5KhmiiaE?wmode=opaque

Abandoned bike?


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

REPORT 

 

Made Good repair videos


WATCH HERE

Contact us


Sustainable Travel team

+44 (0) 1865 6 14605

travel@admin.ox.ac.uk

 

Estates Helpdesk

+44 (0) 1865 2 70087

estates.helpdesk@admin.ox.ac.uk

Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00

Oxford Mobile Cycle Repairs

omcr@btinternet.com

 

Walton Street Cycles

Contact form