Bicycles/Scooters

Students, faculty and staff who have a bicycle or scooter on campus are required to register it. Registration takes only minutes to complete and is free. A registration sticker will be provided and should be placed on the bicycle/scooter. If the bicycle/scooter is ever lost or stolen, the University will have the serial number and other identifying information. If it is recovered, this information makes it much easier to return it to its rightful owner.

Here is the University's Bicycle and Scooter Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find my bike or scooter serial number?

-A serial number is required to register your bike or scooter.

-Common bike serial number locations: View here

-For scooters, check the following locations:

Underside of the deck (most common)
Stem or handlebars (near the fold/hinge)
Near the charging port
Side or rear of the deck
Scooter mobile app (device settings)
Original box or paperwork

Why do I need to register my bike or scooter?

Registration is free and required. It helps with:

Theft recovery
Proof of ownership
Campus safety
Bike rack planning
Theft deterrance
Insurance claims

Do I have to register my bike or scooter?

Yes. All bikes and scooters on University of Houston property must be registered.

What happens if my bike or scooter is not registered?

Unregistered bikes and scooters may be tagged, relocated, or removed from campus.

What if I can't find my serial number?

Registration cannot be completed without a serial number. Please check all locations and documentation.

Where can I park my bike or scooter?

Bikes and scooters must be parked only at designated bike racks. Do not lock bikes or scooters to railings, trees, signs, or fences. View bike rack map here.

What should I do if my bike or scooter is stolen?

Contact UHPD and notify Parking & Transportation Services. Registered bikes and scooters are more likely to be recovered.

How to Register a Bicycle/Scooter

Log in to your AccessUH account.
Select "myParking Account."
Click the "Order Permits" icon.
Review the Rules and Regulations, then click "I agree with the terms of service."
Choose the appropriate Registration Permit for your bike or scooter.
Click "Add Vehicle."
In the "Plate #" field, enter your bike or scooter's serial number. Click here to view common serial number locations. Random or fabricated serial numbers should not be entered.
For "State," select Texas.
For "Make," choose "Other."
Select the color that best matches your bike or scooter.
Choose the appropriate Body Type.
Click "Add" and then "Confirm."
Upload a photo of your bike or scooter using "+ Add Attachment."
Click "Confirm."
Visit the Parking and Transportation customer service office in the Elgin Street Garage (Suite 110) to pick up your registration decal. No appointment is required.

Where to Place Registration Sticker

Common Bike Serial Number Locations

Why it is Important
to Register Bikes,
Scooters on Campus

Registering bicycles and scooters — which is free and easy to do — is crucial at the University of Houston for many important reasons:

Theft Prevention and Recovery: Registering your bike/scooter makes it easier to recover if it gets stolen. When registered, bicycles/scooters are more likely to be returned if lost or abandoned. The registration sticker acts as an identifier for law enforcement to track and recover your bike/scooter.
Proof of Ownership: Registration serves as proof of ownership, which is particularly important in case of disputes or theft.
Campus Safety: For university campuses, registering your bike/scooter contributes to a safer environment for everyone. It helps the university keep track of bicycles/scooters on campus.
Campus Planning: Registration helps us to plan for the number of bike racks to have on campus so that we encourage bike usage.
Deterrence of Theft: Registering your bike/scooter can deter theft by making it harder for thieves to sell or claim it as their own. Police departments, cycling organizations, and insurance companies use registration databases to identify stolen property, improving the chances of recovery.
Insurance Claims: Having your bike/scooter registered can strengthen your position when filing insurance claims in case of theft or damage.

Monitoring bike racks is important for many reasons:

Theft Prevention: Regular monitoring of bike racks helps deter theft and ensures that any suspicious activity is quickly addressed. This is particularly important in maintaining a safe environment on campus.
Efficient Use of Space: Monitoring helps ensure that bike racks are used efficiently and that bikes are parked properly. This prevents overcrowding and ensures that there is enough space for everyone.
Maintenance and Safety: Regular checks can identify any maintenance issues with the bike racks, such as broken locks or damaged structures, ensuring they are safe and functional for users.
Policy Enforcement: Monitoring helps enforce campus policies regarding bike parking, ensuring that bikes are parked in designated areas and not causing obstructions.
Sustainable Infrastructure: Monitoring bike racks contributes to a sustainable cycling infrastructure by ensuring that bike parking facilities are used correctly and maintained in good condition.
Health and Wellness: Properly monitored and maintained bike racks encourage more people to use bicycles as a mode of transport, promoting health and wellness.
“The Broken Window Effect”: Not maintaining bike racks leads to the “broken window effect.” This means that if an area is not monitored and looks neglected, this can lead to enhanced theft and vandalism on these areas. This can also affect the perception of safety among users of a service.

You may notice a $20 citation placed on unregistered bikes. This is part of an informational campaign to educate the community about the importance of bike registration. Each citation comes with a card stapled to it, explaining that if you register your bike, there will be no charge. The card also includes a QR code with easy instructions on how to complete the free bike registration process.

Abandoned Bikes
Removed in Summer

During the summer, the University of Houston Parking and Transportation Services cleans up the bicycle racks at UH to maintain the overall aesthetics of campus and ensure there are enough available spaces for when students return to campus every fall semester.

Bicycles that appear to be abandoned have a colored tag placed on them. The tags remain on the bicycles for several weeks. The owner should remove the tag immediately. By doing so, they are indicating to Parking and Transportation Services that the bike has not been abandoned.

Bicycles for which the tag has not been removed after the alloted time will be considered abandoned. These bikes will be collected and stored on campus for a determined amount of time (between 60 and 90 days), after which they may be donated if not claimed by the owner and are in working order.

Parking and Transportation Services is not responsible for the cost of locks, chains, other security devices, or any other item that may be damaged or destroyed as a result of removing any items.

Anyone with questions about the bicycle abatement initiative may contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uh.edu or 832-842-1097.