Published: Aug. 23, 2024
There are many convenient, accessible and sustainable modes of transportation for students to get around campus and Boulder. The Environmental Center encourages students to choose sustainable transportation if possible, and there are plenty of options for everyone!
Bikes and electric bikes
Boulder has an extensive network of bike paths and trails, making biking an easy way to get to, from and around campus. If you bring a bike to campus, be sure to register it with the Environmental Center. Registering your bike allows you to access free maintenance assistance on campus and can also help locate your bike if it’s stolen. You can protect your bike from theft by locking it with a U-lock to a designated bike rack; exchange your used cable bike lock for a new U-lock at the Environmental Center.
If you don’t have a bike yet, stop by the Environmental Center’s annual Bike Fest and Used Bike Sale on Sept. 5 on Farrand Field. You can get your bike registered and serviced at this event as well.
CU students can also take advantage of a free membership to Boulder BCycle, an e-bike sharing program with 14 stations serving campus and 300 bikes throughout Boulder. The entire fleet is electric, making it faster to get where you are going.
Don’t know how to ride a bike? It's never too late to learn. Email bicycle@colorado.edu to schedule a private lesson with a bike instructor. This service is for CU students, faculty and staff.
Skateboards and stand-up scooters
Skateboards and scooters are great for navigating campus. Lime e-scooters are available city-wide and on campus, and users can manage their rides through the Lime app. Lime scooters do have some speed and access restrictions and are prohibited in residence halls and CU buildings, along with personal e-scooters and electric skateboards. Foot-powered skateboards are allowed on most residential streets, sidewalks, multi-use paths and bike lanes, and there are storage racks located outside some larger lecture halls on campus.
Motorcycles, mopeds and sit-down scooters
Motorcycles, sit-down scooters and mopeds (electric and gas-powered) are allowed on city streets but not on campus sidewalks or paths.
Low-power mopeds and scooters are considered motorcycles for campus parking, and regardless of engine size, they must have a permit from Parking Services to park in motorcycle spaces. Purchase a special motorcycle parking permit.
Any moped or scooter under 50 ccs must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles to purchase a motorcycle permit. Visit the Division of Motor Vehicles for details to complete your moped or scooter registration form.
Buses
Buff Buses offer free transportation around campus, with routes connecting central campus to Williams Village, Bear Creek and east campus. No pass is required to access the Buff Buses. You can track the Buff Bus and plan your route using the Transit app.
Your Buff OneCard gives you access to RTD bus and rail routes, including routes to Denver International Airport. Students age 19 and under qualify for the Zero Fare for Youth program and can request to have your Transit Pass fee waived.
Don’t forget to use the CU Ski Bus program for your next trip to the slopes!
Carsharing
If you don’t have a personal vehicle on campus, carsharing is a convenient way to access a car when you need one. CU students are eligible for discounted memberships and some waived fees to Colorado CarShare and Zipcar. Learn more about how to access carshare programs on campus and in Boulder.
CU NightRide
CU NightRide is a student-operated program that provides free night-time transportation within Boulder city limits. They will get you where you want to go safely and efficiently. Download the NightRide app to request a ride.
Owning a car
Students who bring a personal vehicle to campus may purchase a parking permit for the academic year, pay for parking daily or take advantage of short-term parking in visitor lots throughout campus. Paid parking spaces are limited and expenses can add up quickly, so it may be worth considering other modes of transportation. Download the ParkMobile app to pay for short-term parking. Call 303-735-PARK (7275) or email parking@colorado.edu with parking questions.
Campus map
Use CU Boulder’s campus map to find the best routes for getting around campus. You can save a link to the map on your smartphone home screen and use it like an app.
Download the Transit App
The Transit app makes it easy to track the locations of Buff Buses and RTD buses (including the HOP) in real-time. It also tracks B-Cycle locations and more. Download Transit on Google Play or the Apple Store. Once you download the app, select specific routes as favorites to receive service alerts and notifications.
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