Bike

Bicycling to any area of the UW-Milwaukee campus should be as simple and safe as possible for students, faculty, staff and visitors alike.

Biking to campus is an affordable alternative to get to campus that is also great for your health and the environment.

Whether you need air for your tires, would like to find the best route, or even if you’d like to understand more about bicycle planning at UWM, you will find many answers to your bicycling needs below.

UWM is committed to making itself a bike friendly campus to:

• Augment our safe & secure campus with complete streets for all.
• Enhance the quality of life on campus.
• Attract students and employees to UWM.
• Reduce our environmental impact and fossil fuel consumption.
• Encourage health & wellness with our students, faculty, and staff.
• Augment our safe & secure campus with complete streets for all.

Campus Resources

Check out our the Parking Finder powered by Modii for bicycle parking, air pumps, and other resources.

Bike Lockers

Weather protected and secure lockers available through University Housing.

Bike Lockers at UWM

Air Filling Stations

Available inside the Northwest Quadrant (NWQ) Garage, EMS Garage, Union Garage, and the Pavilion Garage.

Bicycle Racks

Located throughout campus, most at major entrances to buildings.

Bike Fix-it Station

Located at Spaights Plaza and EMS building (southeast corner).

Shuttles

Getting to and from campus with your bike does not necessarily require 100% pedal power. The Prowl Line and Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) buses are equipped with bike racks. Utilize these resources to shorten your bike commute to a manageable distance or when conditions reduce your safety.

More information at MCTS page and Prowl Line page.

Bicycling & Equipment Information

Commuting Tips

With a little preparation, biking to campus year—round is not only possible, but even enjoyable. Follow these tips for a safe and stress free commute:

• Tune up your bike. Make sure it is in good working order.
• Find a good route. The route you take by car can not be the best route by bike.
• Wear a helmet. No trip is too short to not wear a helmet.
• Dress appropriately for conditions. Be visible and ready for the ride.

Bike Maintenance

There are many bicycle shops in the surrounding UWM area to outfit the new or established commuter and provide maintenance & repairs to keep you rolling along.  UWM’s Outdoor Pursuits offers a Bike Shop for students.  Local Milwaukee shops include:

• Wheel & Sprocket
• Dream Bikes
• Milwaukee Bike Collective
• The Bikesmiths

Safety and Security

Secure your bike

The best way to store a bicycle on campus is to utilize University Housing’s bicycle lockers located at Sandburg Hall.

The second best way to secure a bicycle on campus is to use a “U” lock. Learn the best ways to secure your bike with these tips from Bicycling Magazine.

Register your bike

It is optional to register a bicycle with the City of Milwaukee. Bike registration stickers can be picked up at any Milwaukee Public Library location, local Police Departments (including UWMPD), and UWM Transportation Services (Student Union WG25). Register online here.

Abandoned & Impounded Bicycles

What is an “abandoned” bike? Bikes which are legally parked on all UWM property (except for University Housing areas) are subject to removal if they meet the following criteria as abandoned.

Criteria for assessing whether or not a bike is abandoned would have to meet two of these criteria:

• Flat or missing tire(s) and wheel(s)
• Extensive rust, particularly the bike chain
• Missing seat, handle bars, front fork, or pedals
• Dusty, covered in debris and/or cobwebs

Such bikes will be tagged and then revisited 21 days later. Customers should remove the tag from the bike to verify it is not abandoned. If the tags are not removed from the bike within 21 days after tagging, UWM staff will remove and impound such bikes. UWM is not responsible for damage to bicycles, locks or cables during the bike pick up of abandoned or improperly stored bicycles.

Bike Removal Process

1. Transportation Services will be responsible for tagging/stickering any suspect abandoned bikes on UWM property based on the criteria of the policy. All bikes tagged will be put in a log with photo.
2. Those not removed within 21 days will then be removed for impound. Facility Services will be responsible for physically removing the bikes. All locks will be cut.
3. University Police will run any serial #’s to verify if the bike was stolen. Any bike licenses will be reviewed for ownership.
4. Bike will be stored at impound within Surplus Property for 30 days.
5. At the end of the 30 day impound, Surplus Property will be responsible for recycling or donating any left behind abandoned bikes.