No where to keep my bike!!!!

[polly4711]

HELP!!!! It's my last year in the residence halls and I am a Resident Assistant (so I'm in charge of the other students and am supposed to be a good example for them). Over this past summer, I got my first road bike (a Specialized Allez Elite) and was able to keep it in the place that I was living at that point of time. Since then, I have had to change locations and I am not allowed to have my bike in my dorm room. There is a 'bike shelter' which is a locked shed that have different bike racks in that. I can keep my bike there (which is right on campus) or I can drive 15 minutes to my friends apartment and keep it there... what should I do? They both have their pros and cons...

[Becky]

No bike in dorm room? For real? That stinks!

I don't know about that "bike shelter"....I'd be concerned about the number of people that had access to it, locked or not. I'd lean towards the friend's apartment, rather than take a chance with my good bike.

Why won't they let you keep in your room? My uni never cared..... "Blue" lived in a closet one year, in a corner another year, and under the bed the year after that. It helps to ride a small frame and have quick-release wheels

[OakLeaf]

Ahhh, I remember that. Fire regulations. A lot of students kept their bikes in their rooms anyway, but yeah, as an RA you'd have a hard time getting away with it

You said there are racks inside the shelter? Use them to lock your bike with your own good lock.

[singletrackmind]

Bike? Bike? Where's a bike?? I don't see a bike. All I see is an artistically sculpted metal and rubber clothes rack....

[polly4711]

oak leaf... do you really think that that would be ok? we can register our bikes with the campus PD also... which i think i may do anyways... Pawn shops will call them when they are trying to be sold... haha, dumb thieves. i just know that if it's at my friends, i will be less likely to ride, but i want it to be safe.

[Blueberry]

How about getting a clunker to keep in the shelter, and then ride to your friend's house when you want a longer/faster ride??

As a student, I broke that regulation plenty of times. You could also think about a folding bike - that's a duffel bag, not a bike. Again, keeping your "real" bike at your friend's.

CA

[Xrayted]

Here's another thought... how's about you go out yardsale-ing and give an older, cheaper bike a good home. Get something with commuting in mind maybe. You can lock that one up on campus and save the Allez for when you want to get out there and crank it up. You will still be riding more often that way but don't have to worry so much about getting your good one stolen. It's as good an excuse as any to buy another bike.

[pardes]

What bike? Oh that bike in the corner? That's not my bike. I confiscated it from a student who had it in her room. I'm waiting for the cops to come and fingerprint the bike, question it thoroughly and take it away....

RA's are supposed to set an example. Yes. But they are also supposed to use good judgment and use civil disobedience when called for. Keep the bike in your room. It's a ridiculous rule if they don't supply a VIABLE alternative that will protect your bike.

I would state to the "authorities" that you wish to be an RA but you must also protect your bike. Perhaps this would force them to find a storage room inside the dorm that could be used for highly loved and/or valuable bikes.

[Flur]

I say keep your bike in your room, and let your students do the same. This 1) shows that you're fair and 2) means they won't want to rat you out.

[CycleTherapy]

What if you could hang it ? Would that get you around the fire code ? (off the floor and not blocking access or exit)
Just a thought.....