How to Borrow
Visit the front desk at the Goergen Athletic Center anytime during their regular hours. Ask to borrow a City Cycles bike. If any are available, you will be asked to a sign a program waiver sign out sheet (read this first!). You will then receive a key and whatever other equipment you are borrowing. Bikes are kept on the racks in Dandelion Square. When you're done, lock up the bike on one of those racks and return the key to a staff member at the Goergen front desk. Upon return of the bike the staff will accompany you out to the bike and verify its condition and presence before checking the bike back in. Be sure that you relay any bike problems then and if you owe a fine pay it right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of bikes do you have?
We have 20 street bikes (Gary Fisher brand) with fat, smooth tires for fast rolling and no punctures. We also have one tandem (a "bicycle built for two"). All bikes come with racks. You can borrow a pannier (bags which can be attached to a bike rack) if you'd like to do grocery shopping or bring things along for a day trip. Helmets are available (and encouraged) for all riders.
How long do I get to keep a bike?
All equipment checked out must be returned within 24 hours of the time you checked it out. Upon checking equipment out, you will receive a reminder email with the time the equipment is due. If Goergen is closed the day something should be due, you have until the same time on the next day Goergen is open. There is a $20/per day late fee for anything returned late. This fine cannot be pro-rated and must be paid upon return of the bike. Any unpaid fines will result in a freeze on your account and possible review and collection by the Dean Of Students Office. Once you return a bike, you must wait 6 hours to check out another one. This is to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to use the bike.
Why is City Cycles only available for use by undergraduates and R-Club members?
Funding for City Cycles is allocated by the Student Association and staffing is supplied by Goergen gymnasium. For insurance reasons, bicycles are not available to visitors at this time.
What happens if there's a problem with my bike?
Mechanics from Towpath Bike Shop in Pittsford perform weekly tune-ups on our fleet. They're able to take care of most problems. If a bike is significantly damaged while you are riding it, we may ask you to help cover the cost of repairs (you agree to this in the City Cycles waiver).
What should I do if a bike is stolen while it's checked out to me?
Contact Beverly Buscemi or the staff at the athletic center and make a report with UR Security. You will need to bring back the lock and key to the gym. You will need to write a full account of the incident and submit it to Beverly Buscemi. Your case will then be reviewed by the Dean of Students office. Remember, you are responsible for the care, custody and control of the bike while it is checked out in your name. If it is deemed that your actions or lack of action put the bike at risk, you will be advised of your financial or other responsibility by the Dean's Office.
I already have a bike. Does City Cycles offer any services I can take advantage of?
Towpath offers for a discounted fee,a bike clinic once a week on Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm. They are here from start of the City Cycles Program season to the end of the season. Look for their tent on the Wilson Quad.
On this site, we offer route maps and other resources on riding in the Rochester area.
Can you offer any safety tips?
- Wear a helmet. Most serious bicycle injuries involve head injuries which might have been avoided if the rider had worn a helmet. Wear one that fits and which meets the latest certification standards.
- Be visible. Brightly colored and clothing and lights are your best friends when riding in traffic. Riding at night is inherently dangerous and unadvisable. Ride as if invisible even with lights and reflectors.
- Be predictable. Motorists are watching for other motorists and pedestrians, not quick moving bicycles. Ride where you'll be seen and accounted for. Counter to intuition sidewalks are often the most dangerous places to ride due to the number of intersections with driveways and streets.
- Share the road. Remember that legally you are like a motor vehicle and must obey the same laws as a motorist. Ride with traffic and use hand signals.
- Carry a cell phone or change in case of emergencies.
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