About
Every year, thousands of bicycles and other transportation devices are left abandoned on campus. The Bicycle Program at UC Davis works year-round to collect and clear these bikes to keep campus spaces clear and organized, helping to divert waste from the landfill. Our team makes every effort to return bikes to their owners, but many are unregistered and go unclaimed. Unclaimed bikes are then sold through our public bicycle auctions.
UC Davis works with GovDeals, an online marketplace that allows the public to purchase surplus assets from government and educational entities.
Please Note: Most bikes sold at auction were abandoned on campus and have been stored for at least 90 days and often longer. Conditions vary widely; some bikes may need significant repairs to be safe and functional.
All bikes are sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty. Winning bids are binding, and unclaimed bikes will be re-auctioned with no refunds. For details, see individual auction listings.
Getting Started
New to our online auctions? Here's what to expect and how to get started when bidding on bikes through GovDeals:
- Create an Account
You’ll need to register on GovDeals before you can bid. Be sure to choose a secure, unique password when signing up. - Review the Listings
Each bike includes basic details - enough to give you an idea of what you're bidding on. Condition varies, so read carefully. - See the Bikes in Person (Optional)
Choose up to six bikes you’re interested in and email the bike IDs or auction links to bikeprogram@ucdavis.edu. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to view them (look only, no touching). - Set Your Max Price
Decide in advance the highest amount you're willing to spend. This helps you stay in control and avoid overbidding. - Choose Manual or Auto-Bidding
You can place bids manually or let the system auto-bid for you, up to your max price. - Stay Engaged
Keep an eye on your bids - especially if you're bidding on multiple bikes (New users can bid on up to 3 items at once). You can sign up for email alerts if you're outbid. - Winning & Payment
If you win, pay directly through GovDeals. Then contact the Bicycle Program at 530-752-2453 or email us to schedule your pickup. If you don’t win, don’t worry! New bikes are added regularly.