Frequently asked questions

How do I Get a Bike?

There are two ways to rent a bike with Bears' Bikes. The first way is to order one online. We rent our bikes on a first-come, first-served basis, so by ordering online you will ensure yourself a quality bike for the upcoming year.

You can also wait until you get to school to rent a bike. During move in we will be set up outside our storefront on the South 40 trying to escape the late Summer St. Louis heat. Come by to either rent a bike or just chat with us about WashU life.

When do I pick up my bike?

You will not receive your bike while you are moving in! Move-in is an important time to do just that, and we wouldn't want to add anymore craziness. Bikes will be distributed on the Saturday after the first full week of classes (September 5).

What if I want my bike before September 5th?

If you want your bike early, just send us an e mail at info@bearsbikes.com and request "Early Pick-Up." You will be able to pick up your bike on August 26 and will be charged an Early Fee of $29.

Need the bike even earlier? See our Daily Rental's page for details.

Where will you store my bike?

Bears' Bikes works in partnership with South Side Cyclery. All of the Bears' Bikes are overhauled and stored at South Side Cyclery during Winter and Summer break.

How do I get maintenance done on my bike?

Getting maintenance done on a bike is very simple. Stop by Bears' Bikes during office hours at its storefront on the South 40. The bike will be repaired on the South 40 unless the damage calls for technical work. If the bike requires such work, it will be transported by Bears' Bikes free-of-charge to South Side Cyclery.

Maintenance is free unless a part has to replaced, in which case, the cost will be taken out of the customer's deposit.

What methods of payment does Bears' Bikes accept?

Bears' Bikes accepts cash, check, or credit card.

What is the deposit to rent a bike?

Bears' Bikes takes a $100 deposit for the bike and a $20 deposit for locks. The deposit is to ensure our bikes are cared for.

The easiest way to make sure that a Bears' Bike is maintained is to ride it regularly and store it underneath one of the many bike shelters. Bike renters can also be absolutely confident that if their bike is locked, it will not be stolen.

What does it mean to be registered with University Police?

The University Police is the police department that handles all police matters on the Wash U campus. When a customer rents a bike and lock from Bears' Bikes, both items have already been tagged with matching stickers that have been logged into the University Police database. Therefore, if for any reason a bike is stolen from a Bears' Bikes customer, the University Police can find it, identify it, and get it back to the customer.