UVM Bikes! offers quality rental bicycles to UVM students at affordable rates, because we believe every student should have access to a bicycle. Here are some answers to common questions about the program. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, shoot us an email at bikesuvm@gmail.com.

How do I rent a bike?

We rent our bicycles out at the start of each semester using a two-step method of reservation and first-come/first-serve. A week or two into the start of the fall semester, we send out a rental reservation form to everyone on the rental interest mailing list (sign up for that here). Reservation slots are limited by the number of bikes in our fleet. Once you reserve a rental bicycle, you can come into the shop during our regular hours to pick out a bike. We do our best to match everyone up with the bike that fits and works best for them, but sometimes we can’t accommodate everyone’s specific wants and needs.

How much does a bike rental cost?

Bike rental costs can be found above.

How long is a rental good for?

Our longest rental duration offered is one semester. If you rent a bike in the Fall, for example, you are required to return it to us before Winter Break. When you return it, you will have the option to renew your rental for the Spring semester if you would like to continue renting. The same goes for those who have a Spring semester rental and would like to continue renting their bike during the summer. This policy is in place because it gives us an opportunity to check over rental bikes on a regular basis and make sure they’re still riding well.

Can I rent a bike for just a day or two?

Yes! We have several bikes in our fleet which are reserved for short-term rentals (1-7 days). The short-term rental bikes are generally nicer, more specialized bikes, like our tandem bike, a few basic mountain bikes, and our touring bikes.

Do you provide locks or helmets with rentals?

Yes! We provide a lock with every rental, which you are expected to use (you will be liable for the cost of stolen rental bikes if they are not properly secured). We also provide helmets, but selection is limited so we cannot guarantee a perfect fit for everyone.

What happens if my rental bike breaks?

All repair costs for co-op rental bikes are covered under the rental fee—for example, if you bust a tube, or need replacement brake pads for your rental bike, you won’t have to pay for the replacement parts.

What do I do with my rental bike in the winter?

During the winter we require that you return your bike to UVM Bikes! for storage. Almost all damage to our rental bikes occurs due to winter conditions. If you wish to ride your rental during the winter, let us know and that can be arranged—in this case, we will require that you store your rental indoors (inside your dorm room/apartment, the dorm bike rooms, or the covered storage room outside CCRH are acceptable). If you do not store your rental bike properly during the winter, we reserve the right to reclaim your rental from you and charge you for the damages incurred.

Who is eligible to rent a bike?

If you are an undergraduate or graduate student at UVM, you are eligible to rent a bicycle. Other UVM affiliates will be considered on a case-by-case basis.