Transportation Safety
Campus Services
Close Call Incident Reporting
If you’ve been injured or your property damaged due to a collision on campus, please contact police dispatch at 303-492-6666. If you were involved in a close-call incident on campus, but don't fit the guidelines for contacting CUPD, we would like to know about it. Incidents may include:
- A close call or a collision with a car, cyclist or skateboarder
- Has a car come close to hitting you while crossing a campus street?
- Did you have a near hit with a pedestrian because they weren't using a crosswalk?
If so, please complete and submit the city of Boulder'sÌý.
Guardian Mobile Safety App
Guardian is a mobile safety application produced by Rave Mobile Safety, the same vendor who supports ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ Alerts. Use Guardian to receive ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ Alerts, access crisis support resources, make your commute safer with the Guardian Safety Timer and more. Visit the to learn about all of its features.
CU NightRide
CU NightRide is ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ’s student-operated safe-ride service thatÌýallows you to request free, evening transportation to and from any location within Boulder city limits. Whether you need to travel across campus or to a neighborhood off-campus, CU NightRide student drivers can get you there. CU NightRide is available to current ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ students, faculty and staff. Find more information about NightRide on the UMC website.
Snow Removal
Facilities Management is responsible for snow removal on campus sidewalks. PleaseÌývisit Facilities Management's Snow Removal pageÌýfor more information.
Transportation Rules and Regulations
Which Wheels Go Where?
There are many ways to walk and roll around campus. We want to make sure everyone is aware of what is allowed (and what’s not) on the multi-use pathways and streets in and around campus.
| Ìý | Streets/Bike Lanes | Sidewalks (except dismount zones) | Multi-use Paths |
|---|---|---|---|
| All device types must dismount when they see the dismount symbol. | |||
| Bikes/E-bikes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skateboards/Rollerblades (non-electric) | Yes* *Can ride in the street on residential streets and only in the bike lane on all other streets. | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Scooters/Skateboards | Yes* *Can ride in the street on residential streets and only in the bike lane on all other streets. | No* *Can only ride on sidewalk (outside dismount zones) if no bike lane is present | Yes |
| Motorized Scooters | Yes* *Can only ride in the street, not in bike lanes. | No | No |
Move Safely on Campus
Bikes and e-bikes are welcome! Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can use electric assist on paths; Class 3 must follow the speed limits. For micromobility (including e-scooters, e-skateboards, one-wheels, etc.), the speed limits are:
- 20 mph on streets
- 15 mph on pathways
- 10 mph in parking lots
- 5 mph on sidewalks
All micromobility devices must yield to pedestrians, and all users must walk their wheels in dismount zones.
Bike lights are required by law on campus and within the City of Boulder. Cyclists riding after dusk must have a white front light and red rear reflector. While it is not required by law to wear a helmet on campus or within the City of Boulder, we recommend that all cyclists wear one while riding. It is also recommended to register your bike in case of theft.
Motor vehicles must stick to roads and follow posted speed limits. No driving on sidewalks or paths unless authorized.
Any instances of unsafe riding or blocked access will result in a ticket or impoundment of vehicles. To appeal a ticket, please refer to theÌýCUPD Violations, Offenses & Citations website.
Parking for Micromobility Devices
Bikes must use bike racks or may be kept in the Student’s room in campus residence halls. All other users should ask their building managers about bike storage within buildings.
Scooters and all e-devices must park at bike racks — never inside buildings.
Improperly parked or unregistered bikes can be impounded, especially those blocking access. For more information on bike impoundments, cutting bike locks or removing bikes blocking disability access, please visit the Bicycle Recycling and Processing Program website.
Battery Safety
Electric mobility devices like e-bikes and e-scooters can be a fire hazard if not charged or stored correctly. CU's Residence Life does not allow motorized vehicles to be taken into, or stored in, any buildings due to the potential for fire/explosions, and for the electrical load/capacity in CU facilities.ÌýWhen charging at home, or in spaces designated for bicycle or mobility device storage, follow the manufacturer and Consumer Product Safety Commission recommendations:
- Use only the charger that comes with the vehicle
- Never charge overnight
- Never leave a charging vehicle unattended
- Do not charge or store on or near flammable materials
- Have working fire extinguishers and smoke alarms in the charging area
Scope of Regulations
University Transportation Rules and Regulations are issued supplemental to all applicable state laws and city ordinances. Users of the ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ campus are warned that City of Boulder ordinances regulating private conduct including, but not limited to, traffic regulation will be enforced on the ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ campus. These rules are enforceable 24/7, including academic breaks, by CU Parking Services and the CU Police Department.
Pathway Safety Committee
- Composed of a diverse mix of stakeholders from across campus
- Advises ¾«Æ·SMÔÚÏßӰƬ leadership on issues related to pedestrian, bike, skateboard, crosswalk and street safety
​Spearheaded many of the on-campus pathway safety improvements in recent years such as:
- Central Campus Mall Dismount Zone
- North-South Bikeway that runs along the east side of C4C and the Engineering Quad.
Have a suggestion? Contact the committee.
Pathway Safety Committee Charter
No matter how you get to campus, the majority of us use the multi-use paths on campus at some point. Whether from class to class, or from a parked car to a classroom or a bus stop to home, the pedestrian portion determines the enjoyment, safety and convenience of that trip.
An effective pedestrian environment facilitates all types of users and all reasons for walking, and supports the university’s Carbon Neutrality Plan by reducing the number of single occupancy vehicles coming to campus, relieving congestion and shrinking greenhouse gas emissions.