cycling to nuig

EmcD123

Hey,starting first year in 2 weeks.
Was planning on cycling in and out each morning .mainly to the science building and the kingfisher and all that but I'm worried about my bike. Is there many spots for locking the bike around the campus and will I need a fairly serious lock? Does anyone know if the spot at the kingfisher is safe to leave a bike,never seen a bike that's worth very much there which is why I'm asking?
Trying to decide if I should buy some cheap beater for cycling to uni or not

Geuze

http://www.nuigalway.ie/buildings/bicycle_compound.html

shruikan2553

If it is an expensive bike I would recommend using the compound mentioned above. Not sure if it has had any bikes stolen from it but I would be surprised if they wouldnt just look elsewhere. Its only a few minute walk to the kingfisher and its right outside the arts/science building.

mocker2012

At the college isn't so bad, but if you're staying in student accommodation make sure you have a serious lock overnight if it's an anyways decent bike. The thieves just go and choose the best bikes around, If you can bring it inside, do. If not, secure everything on the bike.

EmcD123

I won't be in the accommodation area as I live close to the college. I didn't know there was a bike locking compound until now, that's interesting.is it free to use?. Thanks for the information

shruikan2553

Yeah its free and available 24/7. There are cameras and I think lights. You have to have a NUIG ID to use it.

Grinchy88

I've used the compound since it opened this year. Never had any problems. As shruikan said you can't get in or out without your ID. There are a lot of spaces around the campus with bike rails, i myself have used the one outside the Arts Millennium a good few times and again no problems. Sometimes it can just depend on how late you are in the morning But if your worried at all about your bike, then the compound is the way to go!

what_traffic

OP the Campus has widespread bike parking. Mostly Sheffield Stands are provided which are very good for locking bike frame and wheel to a stand. Galway city centre on the other hand is very very poor for bike parking (except for Eyre Sq). Especially when compared with the Car parking provision.

Fert94

Remember to take off your lights if you can clip them on and off their mounts.. I had a set stolen last winter from the bike rack outside arts millennium. Never heard of a bike being stolen/damaged from campus.

Ficheall

Fert94 wrote: »

Never heard of a bike being stolen/damaged from campus.

What? :eek:

EmcD123

I won't be around town much with it. Ill be using a pretty crappy one for cycling but that compund sounds good . will I be able to access it on the first day in?

Squeeonline

Fert94 wrote: »

Never heard of a bike being stolen/damaged from campus.

You must be new on campus. Groups of knackery kids come through at night occasionally and kick/smash/steal whatever they can.

I'm hearing things about a new secure bike park area which I would advise is used.

shruikan2553

EmcD123 wrote: »

I won't be around town much with it. Ill be using a pretty crappy one for cycling but that compund sounds good . will I be able to access it on the first day in?

You can use it as soon as you get your student ID. Not sure when that is though.

Fert94

Squeeonline wrote: »

You must be new on campus. Groups of knackery kids come through at night occasionally and kick/smash/steal whatever they can.

I'm hearing things about a new secure bike park area which I would advise is used.

Haha I've only been there a year I suppose :P I'd never leave mine overnight which is probably while I still have it!

The Lost Sheep

OP don't think you'll need a very serious lock but that depends on what kind of bike you'll be using
I cycled in from Menlo for first semester last year and had no problems, even sometimes when I didn't lock my bike....
Use compound when you get student card if you think you need to but never saw need for big lock on bike...

challengemaster

Use the bike lock in an intelligent way. For University students, some people really don't think - The amount of times I've seen the lock put around a quick release wheel....

Orientation in DCU, they show a video (CCTV) of how bikes get robbed in a few minutes. Easiest way is for thief to take a wheel from 1 bike and put it on another, thus avoiding both locks.

EmcD123

challengemaster wrote: »

Use the bike lock in an intelligent way. For University students, some people really don't think - The amount of times I've seen the lock put around a quick release wheel....

Orientation in DCU, they show a video (CCTV) of how bikes get robbed in a few minutes. Easiest way is for thief to take a wheel from 1 bike and put it on another, thus avoiding both locks.

Oh ya I know all about that. Lock the wheel to the frame and to the bike rack.