Please read these rules and regulations carefully and ensure that you follow them at all times. Violations of the rules may result in additional charges and/or removal of your bicycle by Transportation and Parking Services and termination of your rental agreement without refund. If you have questions regarding any of the rules, please feel free to contact us at  info@bikes.ufl.edu. for additional information.

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Eligibility and Availability

The Gator Gears program is open to all currently enrolled students. Students must have a valid UFID number and GatorLink address and be currently enrolled in classes at the University of Florida in order to participate in the program.

Each Gator Gears bicycle may only be ridden by the participant to whom it has been rented and may not be shared with additional riders.

Bicycles are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis as available.

Rental Rates, Unclaimed Reservation Fees and Late Return Fees

Please be aware that all rental and late fees are 100% non-refundable.

Gator Gears bicycle rental rates are:

• Any one semester (Fall, Spring or Summer): $55
• Any two semesters (Fall-Spring or Spring-Summer): $90
• Annual season rental (Fall-Summer of a given academic year): $120

Each semester rental period begins on the first day of classes for that semester and ends on the last day of regular classes for that semester. Reading days and final exam dates are not included in the rental period. However, customers may extend their rental through those dates by contacting Gator Gears to request an extension.

Customers who reserve a bicycle for a given semester and do not pick it up or cancel the reservation by the end of that semester’s bicycle pick-up window will be charged the full one-semester rental fee of $55.

Additionally, customers who do not return their bicycle by the scheduled semester end return date will also be charged a late return fee of $25.

Bicycles must be returned on or before the scheduled end date for a customer’s rental term. Please note that the end date for each semester is the end of regular classes, and Reading Days and Final Exams are not included in the rental term. If a customer needs to extend their rental through Reading Days/Finals, they will need to contact Gator Gears to arrange that extension.

Annual Rental Season

The Gator Gears rental season begins each Fall semester and runs through the end of the following Summer semester. Annual season rentals are available only at the beginning of each season. Once a season has started, participants may rent a bike for the remainder of that season only (for example, a participant renting a bicycle during the Spring 2016 semester would be able to rent it for two semesters maximum, until the end of the season). Annual rentals will become available again at the beginning of each season.

Billing and Payment

All bicycle rental and repair fees will be charged to the participant’s student account for payment. Any fees not paid within the current billing cycle will result in the account being flagged. Rental fees are 100% non-refundable.

Bicycle Returns and Damage Fees

Customers who do not return their bicycles by their scheduled end of semester return date will be charged a late return fee of $40.
Customers who still have not returned their bicycles by the beginning of the next semester’s rental period will be charged a $250 bicycle replacement fee in addition to the $40 late return fee.

Gator Gears will hold a return event at the end of each semester to allow participants to return their bicycles. Our staff will contact all participants via email prior to their scheduled return date to inform them of the return event location, date and time. Participants are responsible for returning their bicycle on or before the scheduled return date.

Participants who wish to discontinue enrollment prior to their normal scheduled return date are solely responsible for contacting Gator Gears and scheduling a date and time to return their bicycle to an authorized program representative.

Customers are responsible for the cost of any damage that occurs while a bike is in their possession. All bicycles will be subject to a full mechanical inspection upon return, and any damaged parts that must be replaced will be paid for by the participant.

Bicycles that are damaged beyond repair will result in the customer being charged the full $250 replacement cost.

Lost/Stolen Bicycle Policy and Fees

Bicycles not returned by the scheduled return date for any reason (lost, damaged, stolen, etc.) will be subject to a $250 replacement fee.

If the bicycle is stolen, the customer must report the theft to the UF Police Department as soon as the theft is discovered and provide Gator Gears with a copy of the police report. Gator Gears may then waive a portion of the replacement fee based on the contents of the police report. However, please be aware this is not guaranteed.

Customers whose bicycles are lost or stolen will not be allowed to receive a replacement bicycle or rent from Gator Gears for future semesters.

Health, Fitness, and Safety

Participants in the Gator Gears bicycle rental program take full responsibility for any and all risks to themselves and others that may result from riding a bicycle. Participants agree to adhere to all federal, state, and local traffic and safety laws pertaining to bicycling. Further, participants also acknowledge that they have the necessary experience to correctly ride and use a bicycle and do not have any pre-existing medical conditions that would be adversely impacted through participation in the program. The University of Florida assumes no liability for any accident or injury which may arise from participation in the Gator Gears program.

Helmets

A free helmet will be provided with the bicycle. We highly recommend the use of a helmet when riding a bicycle in order to reduce the risk of injuries and provide a safer riding experience.

Bicycle Accessories

Each Gator Gears bicycle comes with a front basket, rear rack, front and rear fenders and a combination U-lock. Participants may purchase and install their own additional safety and convenience-related accessories (lights, panniers, bells, bags, reflectors, etc.) as long as these accessories do not permanently damage or alter the bicycle in any way. However, participants may not modify their bicycle by replacing or removing any existing parts.

Bicycles must be secured with the issued lock at all times when not in use. Customers may not substitute a different lock and may not use the Gator Gears-issued lock to lock up a bicycle other than their Gator Gears bicycle. Violation of these policies may result in termination of the participant’s rental agreement without refund.

Bicycles and locks must be returned undamaged with all parts and accessories installed as originally accepted, and any additional accessories installed by the participant must be completely removed prior to returning the bicycle.

Security

Gator Gears bicycles will be registered with the University of Florida and City of Gainesville Police Departments. Bicycles must be locked using the Gator Gears-issued U-lock at all times when left unattended or not in use, and participants acknowledge that they bear sole responsibility for ensuring that their bicycle is locked under these conditions.

Bicycles left unlocked, locked with a different lock other than the Gator Gears-issued U-lock, or inappropriately locked to trees, railings, etc. may be subject to removal by Transportation and Parking Services and termination of the rental agreement without refund.

Prohibited Use

Gator Gears bicycles are not designed for use in mountain biking, trick riding, ramp jumping, riding on severe terrain or racing and may not be used for these purposes. Participants acknowledge that they understand and agree to these restrictions and will not use the bicycle in a prohibited manner.

Gator Gears retains the right to refuse replacement and/or additional participation in our program for any student who has been determined to be negligent in operating, maintaining or securing their bicycle and directly or indirectly contributing to its damage, loss or theft.

Repair Policy

Bicycle repair services will be performed at no charge by Gator Gears’ trained mechanics, but participants will be responsible for the cost of replacement parts. Repairs will be performed by appointment only. To schedule a repair appointment, please visit www.bikes.ufl.edu/gator-gears/repairs/.

Please be aware that the submission of a repair request form DOES NOT schedule your repair appointment. A member of our repair staff will contact you by the next business day to confirm your details and schedule your appointment.

Gator Gears mechanics may only meet customers at on-campus locations to provide bike service. Our mechanics do not travel off campus for repair appointments.

Contact Us

Gator Gears is a joint program effort between the UF Office of Sustainability, UF Transportation and Parking Services and your Student Traffic Court. For additional information, please email us at info@bikes.ufl.edu.

The Campus Bicycle Program Coordinator can be reached at 352-273-3806 between 8:00am and 3:00pm weekdays.