Bike Issues
Bringing your bike to University in the first year can be very difficult. Lets face it, Halls of residence aren't really the best place to be keeping and maintaining your trusty steed. Hopefully this page will give you a few hints and tips on how to keep your bike safe and in good working order.

Bike Issues
If you really value your bike then some of the following suggestions may help you:

Lot's of bikes get stolen from University grounds each year, the majority of which are either not locked up at all or left locked up but out in the open. If you are in halls, you are entitled to use the Universities secure storage facilities free of charge, both at your hall of residence and on campus.

Visit the Uni-Link office or go to this web page for more info.

Using the secure storage will never 100% guarantee the safety of your bike but does dramatically reduce the chance of it being stolen. It also means your bike will be under cover when it rains - which is always a good thing. Secure storage is also available to non-halls residents at the cost of £12.50 per year.

If you must leave your bike outside then replace quick releases with Allen bolt skewers or equivalent and don't leave lights, bags etc. attached to your bike.

If you are lucky enough to be living in a house we would recommend that is the best place to leave your expensive bike during the day. Get a cheap runabout to get around and bring your 'real' bike out for a play on Wednesday afternoons and at the weekends.

If you can't afford to lose you bike then make sure it is insured.

If you are still concerned over the safety of your bike email us and we will try to give you further advice.

BIKES Storage
(Words by University Transport Services)

Locked bike stores at most teaching and residential sites.

How Secure
The provision of good facilities has led to the increase in number and value of bikes and hence increasing attempts at theft. Large number of bikes locked to informal stands (more or less effectively locked) offer easier targets for theft. Nevertheless efforts are constantly made to break into stores especially at vulnerable times like start of session. Almost all these attempts are unsuccessful and there has been no major mass theft.

The fact that the facilities are shared means opportunities exist for unauthorised access – simply by tailgating. The 2001/2 session has been the best so far with just three reported thefts from over 47 stores in the year. Each theft or attempt is followed up with strengthening where necessary. Every teaching site store is checked daily in term time.

We are always pleased to received any comments and suggestions for improvement to bike security with the aim of providing an encouraging environment to bike users.

Contact
John Waugh
Transport Services Manager, University of Southampton
jew1@soton.ac.uk

BIKE MAINTENANCE
(Words By Mark Miller)

If you come out for a ride with the club it is guaranteed that you will have to clean you bike at some point and probably carry out some sort of routine maintenance.

Cleaning your bike

Not the easiest thing to do when in halls (only some have hosepipes). Get to know your fellow club members, you may find that people with houses have a hosepipe that you can go and use after a ride.

Alternatively there are lot's of garages with jet washes, you can do a few bikes in one go but be careful not to spray directly into hubs, bottom bracket etc. as you will find it is an effective way of removing all lubrication.

Finally if all else fails, a plant sprayer and a dishwashing brush does the trick! Go to B&Q or equivalent and invest in a plant sprayer that you fill with water and then pump up. Use this to spray the mud off your bike A dishwashing brush with a plastic handle and bristles is a really good alternative to that oh so expensive Park brush set.

Maintaining your bike

Simple maintenance can be done outside although it is almost inevitable that it will start raining as soon as you have your bike in pieces. Do not leave your bike unattended at any time. Take a small box or tray out with you to put nuts 'n' bolts in as they are sure to roll away.

Again, get to know other club members. You will find some of us are more mechanically minded than others and are quite happy to help with fixing your bike and may have specific tools for the job.

Local shops - see our links to local shops in the area. We have used all of them at some point and have found they give good friendly service and are close enough to get to.