Guidelines, Safety & Resources
Roll Safe tips
Visit our Roll Safe page for safe riding tips and videos!
Bike Safety Classes
For tips on safe cycling in the city, maintaining your bike, becoming a year-round bike commuters, or learning to fix a flat tire, check our website for classes throughout the year, and let us know if there is a particular topic you’d like us to cover.
We offer a “Urban Bicycling” class every fall through FitRec! If you’ve never ridden a bike and want to learn, we teach intro lessons. Contact bikes@bu.edu to schedule.
Helmets and Lights
We want you to be safe! Free helmets, lights, and bells are available to anyone who incorporates bicycling into their commute to BU. Just stop by the BUCK at 1019 Commonwealth Ave and 710 Albany St at BUMC.
Get physically and mentally prepared
If you need to build up to a bike commute, check out the supportive Employee Wellness programs offered by FitRec; you might find a workshop or training program that will help address your concerns. If you think your only option is to bike on busy main streets, you may be very surprised to learn about alternatives. Tell us where your commute begins and ends, and we can provide suggestions on routes that involve less or no vehicle traffic.
Bike and Scooter Guidelines
Please be sure to familiarize yourself with BU’s complete Micromobility Guidelines.
Here are the basics:
– bikes and scooters should never be ridden or stored in common areas, hallways, dining halls, or classrooms
– only registered bikes and scooters can be stored in dorm rooms, offices, and secure bike rooms
– electric-powered devices must bear the mark of UL-certification in order to be registered
– violation of these guidelines may result in impound of your bike or scooter
Theft Prevention Tips
Bike/scooter theft is a problem in Boston. Here are 3 tips for making sure your bike/scooter isn’t stolen:
- Use a U-lock (not a cable lock) and lock your bike or scooter well
- Register your bike with BU (either CRC or BUMC)
- Use BU’s secure bike rooms
We can help you with the last two (and we can tell you where to get a U-lock as well).
Combine Your Options
Think you have to fully commit to bicycling, walking, running or taking transit for your commute? You might get the best of all worlds by combining your options into multi-modal travel. Here are a few ideas:
Park&Pedal – a great program that identifies Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) locations where you can park your car – for FREE – and then bike (or walk or run) the remaining few miles to your office. Some Park&Pedal lots are even located near Hubway stations so you don’t have to bring your own bike. Check out the map of Park&Pedal locations, and let us know how we can help you figure out a good plan.
Pedal & Park – rather than drive and bike, you can bike and take transit. The MBTA has installed cages for more secure bike parking at several commuter rail and subway stations, so you can bike to the station instead of driving or using additional transit services – visit their site for all the locations and to register your CharlieCard for free access to these bike cages.
Bikes on the T – why leave your bike behind if you could take it with you? The MBTA allows cyclists to bring bikes on the subway and commuter rail outside of peak travel time (except the Green Line); folding bikes are allowed anytime when they are folded up. Almost all MBTA buses are also now equipped with bike racks, a great option for surprises like a sudden change in weather or a flat tire, or if there are parts of your route that aren’t great for cycling.
Personalized Assistance – Does the idea of putting bikes on buses and combining driving and bicycling seem like too much? Don’t be nervous, just let us know how we can help you!
2024 BU Micromobility Plan
Boston University wants to lower barriers to riding bikes, scooters, and skateboards (“Micromobility Devices”) on and around campus. In 2024, BU’s Campus Planning & Operations team worked with Transportation Services to develop a Micromobility Plan for doing just that!