Bike Routes & Parking

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Bike racks can be found at bus stops and near most major campus buildings. Some covered parking is available at dorms. Securing bikes to racks with both a U-lock and a cable is recommended. Electric bikes can be parked at any of the conveniently placed bike racks that are located near buildings throughout campus.

Great Meadow Bike Path

One of the most popular bike routes on campus is the Class I Great Meadow Bike Path. The downhill journey can be stunningly beautiful, with a view of the Monterey Bay, but cyclists should take precautions to stay safe. Be aware of your surroundings and look for these hazards to avoid them:

Animals such as deer, coyotes, ground squirrels, or snakes crossing the path
Pedestrians walking near (or on) the bike path
Gravel, loose dirt, or sand in the path
Potentially strong crosswinds

The best way to stay safe is to always wear a helmet, utilize bike lights at night, prepare for the unexpected, and control your speed when traveling downhill.

Choosing Safe Bike Routes

When traveling on campus and through the City of Santa Cruz, take time to plan your route to avoid heavily congested areas – especially Mission Street, which serves as a primary route for heavy trucks.

Use these resources to plan your routes and find safe bike paths nearby:

Bike Parking

UCSC has two options for parking and locking your bike.

Bike Racks

There are many bike racks located throughout campus. Visit maps.ucsc.edu to select “Bike Parking” to show their locations on the map.

Bike Lockers

36 Bike Link lockers are available at seven UCSC locations:

BikeLink parking is $.05 per hour. You may access BikeLink by either purchasing a card to use at any locker on the BikeLink network ($20 minimum), or using the BikeLink app to pay and unlock via Bluetooth connection at limited locations (including UCSC).

A locker’s maximum rental period is 10 days, and it may only be used for bikes and bike accessories. Some e-bikes and cargo bikes will not fit in the lockers on campus.

Locking Your Bike

Lock your bike. The best style of lock to keep your bike safe is a high-quality U-lock. Be sure to lock your bike frame to the rack, and if possible, lock your wheels to the frame. Do not lock your bike to itself. Check out this short video for an example of how to use a U-lock and cable combination.

Bike Parking Regulations

The UCSC Code establishes following regulations for Bike Parking

32 UC Bicycle Removal

(a) No person shall park, stand or lock any bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorized-scooter, or moped against any light post, stair, railing, ramp, path or any portion thereof.
(b) No person shall park, stand, or lock any bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorized-scooter, or moped in such a way as to block in any way a curb cut ramp or path of accessible travel, or any portion thereof.
(c) Bicycles, motorized bicycles, motorized scooters and mopeds (with pedals) when not in use, shall be parked in bicycle racks provided.
(d) Violation of this section may result in impoundment of the bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, moped, or device by the UCSC Police Department. Any costs associated with the removal and impoundment (such as damage to the bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, moped, vehicle, device or locking mechanism) shall be the responsibility of the owner of the bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorized scooter, moped, vehicle or device.