Campus News

Spring cycling and scooting tips

Mark Cornelison | UK photo

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 20, 2024) — As the weather begins to warm, students increasingly turn to cycling and scooting as reliable, fun and convenient ways to navigate campus.

While the University of Kentucky is both bikeable and e-scooter friendly, it’s important to follow established safety protocols while riding in this busy environment. Safety guidelines go well beyond proper riding etiquette and can make a significant difference in your personal safety.

Below are some guidelines:

  • Always yield to pedestrians. Slow down and scoot over to pass someone on foot and give audible warning. Dismount to pass when sidewalks are crowded or narrow.
  • Don’t ride against the direction of traffic and obey all traffic signs and signals.
  • Remember that bikes and e-scooters are prohibited on elevated pedestrian walkways and inside buildings.
  • Racing, stunt or trick riding is prohibited on campus.
  • Use front and rear lights at night or in low-visibility conditions. Bright or reflective clothing is also recommended, as are helmets and other safety gear.
  • Be predictable. Make eye contact with motorists and use hand signals to indicate your intentions.
  • UK has a formal policy outlining correct usage and the University’s expectations, so take a few minutes to read the policy and to also review our safety and resources information

Please also remember that both e-scooters and bicycles must be parked appropriately when your ride is finished. Bike racks are provided all over campus for this purpose, or bikes and e-scooters can be placed upright in a shared mobility area. Don’t hamper access to buildings or sidewalks and don’t leave e-scooters in parking lots where they can interfere with motor vehicle traffic.

A map outlining all bike rack locations can be found here.

Enjoy the ride, just make sure you’re staying safe at the same time!

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.