New Student Bikes FAQ
Is Dartmouth bikeable?
Yes! Campus is relatively flat with few hills, and biking can be a great way to get around quickly! Most buildings have bike racks located conveniently outside, and many of the Hanover small-town streets are safe to bike on. Certain students don’t feel like they need a scooter/bike because campus is also very walkable. The need can vary person by person, term by term, based on where your dorms / academic buildings / jobs / extracurriculars / sports commitments / etc are. If you’re not sure if you need a bike on campus, we recommend you rent a bike first to try it out. After your first term, you would be more familiar with where you would regularly go and if a bike would suit you.
So you want a bike while you’re on campus…
Awesome! We like the way you think! Bikes are a great tool to get to classes faster. However, bike waste is a serious issue on campus, and we’ve assembled the following guidelines for bringing bikes to campus:
Can I bike in Winter?
Sometimes. When the roads are snowy and icy, do not bike. However, between snowstorms there are definitely times when it is possible to bike. But even then, Hanover winters are Very Cold. The wind can be extremely chilling so wear clothes that break the wind. Your hands and ears especially are likely going to feel very cold, so wear gloves and a neck gaiter. If you do choose to bike in winter, keep in mind that the road salt is harsh on your bike. So you should pay attention to bike maintenance more than usual (https://www.cyclist.co.uk/tutorials/the-dos-and-donts-of-winter-bike-maintenance). If you don’t plan to bike in the winter, store your bike indoors instead of at an outside bike rack to protect it from the harsh conditions.
Should I get a bike or a scooter?
From a maintenance perspective, fixing a bike is a lot more doable than fixing scooters in Hanover. If your scooter breaks, we are happy to try and work on it but unless the problem occurs in a bike-like part of the scooter, we likely won’t be able to fix it, and finding a scooter-service shop near Hanover could be challenging. Dartmouth Bikes can fix your bike in the vast majority of circumstances.
Where can I store my bike?
For day-to-day use, you can leave your bike locked at any bike rack around campus, however keep in mind that if you do not use it for an extended period of time, it may be collected especially if your bike is not registered. For long-term storage over breaks or off-terms, see our Long-Term Storage page.
Is there bike theft on campus?
Hanover is a small and safe college-town, so there are rarely thieves cutting locks (the only lock cutters are us, Residential Operations, and Dartmouth Safety and Security in accordance with the college collections & violations policy. Unlocked bikes, however, are frequently taken as a quick means of transportation around campus (like oh-no-I’m-late,-look-an-unlocked-bike!) and not returned, although most of the bikes stay on or around campus. So, make sure you always use a bike lock!
For more Q&As about Dartmouth Bikes, explore our website or check out our FAQ Page. If you still have burning questions about anything bike-related, you're welcome to contact us!