Cycling

Rainbow crosswalk at UVic
Cycling and colour!

UVic is a bike friendly campus

The university is committed to creating a campus environment that is convenient and safe for cyclists. With our award winning Campus Cycling Plan, UVic is dedicated to being a leader in cycling infrastructure and active transportation. Adding to our already available facilities and amenities like the Campus Bike Centre, bike sharing programs and bike loan programs, showers and change rooms, lockers, route maps, and much more! All of this and more can be found below.

For the rainy season, check out this map of covered bike racks across campus. 

 

Campus Cycling Plan

The university has developed its first Campus Cycling Plan, and is committed to a campus where everyone can safely ride their bikes and walk no matter where they are headed. The plan has been awarded the Canadian Institute of Planners’ annual Award for Planning Excellence in the New and Emerging Planning Initiatives category.

This plan will guide future campus cycling infrastructure, including bicycle parking, cycling networks and end-of-trip facilities. Implementation of infrastructure outlined in the plan has begun. You can learn all about the progress of implementing the plan on the Campus Cycling Plan Implementation page. 

 

Bike parking

There are many short and long-term options for parking your bike on campus! If you are planning on having your bike on campus for more than one day, please ensure you take advantage of our long-term parking.

Short-term bike parking is conveniently located near all campus buildings. These spaces are available for use while you are in the building. Bikes left in short-term parking for extended periods of time may be tagged and removed by campus security. Learn more about our bike parking policy.

Long-term parking

Campus Bike Centre:

Keep your bike warm and dry in the brightly lit and video recorded Campus Bike Centre (CBC).

The CBC is the Hub for all things cycling on campus. The centre is located beneath the Jamie Cassels Centre, and the entrance is at ground level facing the Business and Economics Centre (BEC).

The CBC is also where the BikeHub is located. The BikeHub is a unique bicycle upcycling and loan program where new life is given to used bikes. The bike loan program diverts waste from the landfill, promotes community health and takes action on climate change. Visit the BikeHub webpage for more information, hours of operation, and volunteer opportunities.

For increased security purposes, the CBC now closes between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily. Any questions can be directed to Campus Security at 250-721-6683 (non-emergency number) or bikehub@uvic.ca 

Bike parkade

For more long-term parking, you can also check out the Bike Parkade (corner of McKenzie & Gabriola near CARSA) - it's indoor and under 24-hour video surveillance!

Bike storage lockers

There are nearly 150 bicycle lockers at UVic, in the Campus Bike Centre and across campus. They allow for room to store your bike and gear. Check out the Campus bike locker map to see more locations.

To rent a bike locker, visit Campus Security.

Residence services rents lockers to people living in Student Housing. Visit their webpage for more information on how to rent a bike locker.

Short-term parking

UVic boasts over 4,000 bike parking spots at our Gordon Head campus! There are many covered and uncovered bike parking spaces around the academic and administrative buildings. Check out our UVic Cycling Amenities Map to view short-term parking locations.

Get geared up

UVic wants you to have the best cycling experience possible. Don’t have a lock? Locks are available for purchase and loan in several spots on campus. Want to register your bike? Visit Campus Security to get sign up. 

Bike locks

Lock loan program

Forgot your bike lock? No worries! Visit the Loans Desk at either the McPherson Library or the Fraser Law Library and they will loan you a lock (free of charge!) for three days. Borrow a bike lock the same as you borrow a book.

Buy a lock

New locks for sale at SubText in the SUB building and at the UVic Bookstore.

Tip! Use a U-lock instead of a cable lock - protect your bike from thieves. 

Bike registration

To help in finding your bike if it's stolen or lost, have your bike registered at Campus Security. Your bike will be identified with your Driver's License number or your UVic student/employee number. Campus Security will then register your information in their secure computer system.

Bring your bike and ID to Campus Security - it only takes minutes!

Amenities

Check out our UVic cycling amenities map to find all things bike at UVic.

Showers and change rooms

Showers and change rooms are located in the following buildings and facilities:

  • Bob Wright (BWC) - At the end of the hall behind lecture hall by the astronomy labs (A104?)
  • Centre for Athletics, Recreation, and Special Abilities (CARSA) - VikesRec members only
  • Continuing Studies Building (CST)
  • Craigdarroch Office Building (CRA)
  • David Turpin Building (DTB) - main floor A wing
  • Engineering/Computer Science Building (ECS) - On the first floor of ECS, when you enter the building, go to the left where the washrooms are. Right across the the male washroom entrance is the female shower, and at then end of the hallway(before you hit the glass doors to go to ELW) on the left is the male's shower
  • First Peoples House (FPH)
  • Medical Sciences Building (MSB)
  • McKinnon Gym (MCK)
  • Technology Enterprise Facility (TEF)
  • Facilities Management Service Building - staff only
  • Michael Williams Building (MWB) - staff only

Equipment lockers

Indoor clothing and gear lockers are large enough to hold bike bags, helmets, clothing, books, etc.. These are located in many academic buildings, the Campus Bike Centre, and at our two campus recreational facilities.

Academic buildings

Lockers in academic buildings and CBC can be rented through Campus Security. The rental costs are $10/semester OR $30/year with a $10 lock deposit.

Locker locations:

  • Clearihue (CLE)
  • Cornett (COR)
  • David Turpin Building (DTB)
  • Engineering Computer Science (ECS)
  • Elliot (ELL)
  • Hickman (HBB)
  • Human & Social Development (HSD)
  • MacLaurin (MAC)
  • Petch (PCH)
  • Campus Bike Centre, Jamie Cassels Centre (JCC)

To rent an equipment locker visit Campus Security.

Recreation buildings

Lockers at the gyms are rented through Athletics and Recreation for $40 per semester. Visit the front desk at either building.

Locker locations:

  • Centre for Athletics Recreation & Special Abilities (CARSA)
  • McKinnon gym and pool (MKN)

E-Bike charging stations

There are four free designated electric bike charging stations on campus. All stations are on a first come first serve basis.

Look for the small green sign:

electric bike sign green

Inside location:

  • Campus Bike Centre (near the vertical rack stands)

Outside locations:

  • David Strong Building (DSB)
  • Human and Social Development Building (HSD)
  • Visual Arts Building (VIA)

Plan your route

There are so many great ways to get to campus by bike. Check out suggested routes on the CRD's community route map, with highlighted protected bike lanes and paths. Also check out the CRD’s 2019 updated map of the entire cycling network.

You can also bring your bike on the bus as almost all of BC Transit fleet is equipped with bike racks. Check out this instructional video from BC Transit on how to load your bike, and test the racks on a parked bus at the bus loop on campus.

Watch this instructional video on how to load your bike onto a BC Transit bus.

Used Bike loan program (BikeHub)

UVic's bike loan program - BikeHub - is a bike-share program where volunteer mechanics give new life and use to old bikes. The BikeHub loans out refurbished used bikes to the UVic community at a reasonable price. The BikeHub program diverts waste from the landfill, promotes community health and takes action on climate change. 

The BikeHub is opening soon (this summer)! Stay tuned for updates on the opening date, hours of operation, program details and ways to get involved by checking out the BikeHub website. 

The BikeHub is located in the Campus Bike Centre (CBC) in the lower level of the Jamie Cassels Centre. For increased security purposes, the CBC closes between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. daily.  

Employee E-Bike Loan Pilot Program

The goal of the E-Bike Incentive Pilot Program is to further drive sustainable transportation options for commuting to campus and across the Greater Victoria area, by incentivizing the purchase of E-Bikes as a low-carbon, renewable energy, and active transportation option. Visit the loan program webpage for more participant details. 
Get involved

Visit the Sustainability Campaigns page to learn how to get involved with cycling related activities and campaigns.