Biking is a great way to get to and around campus, especially if you live in Hyde Park. It can also be effective over longer distances, competing with transit or driving in traffic. Best of all, once you have a bike, it’s free and it's fun. Bicycling is a great way to explore the campus and the city in general. The City of Chicago provides maps of bike routes both around campus (map) and for Chicago in general (map). They also publish a student bike guide and a useful Biking to Work commuting manual.

To get even more use out of your bike, combine biking with transit. CTA and Pace buses all have racks that can accommodate bikes at all times. You can also take your bike on CTA and Metra trains at off-peak hours. Refer to the CTA's Bike and Ride Guide for more information.

Transportation & Parking Services is now offering a new program designed for faculty and staff cyclists. In concert with University Athletics, we are offering half-price three-month memberships to the Henry Crown Field House. These memberships will give cyclists a place to shower after cycling, as well as a place to store commuting clothes during the day. To apply, fill out and submit the Cyclist Gym Membership Program Registration Form.

Bicycle riders are also eligible for the Guaranteed Ride Home, Car Sharing, and Occasional Parking programs.

Campus Policies

Please be mindful of pedestrians on campus, and remember that cycling on the sidewalk is prohibited by Chicago law. Make sure to follow all standard rules of the road.

Lock your bike only to bike racks, if possible, and not to any other location. Misplaced bikes can be an inconvenience to others attempting to use University facilities.

Bikes abandoned or locked illegally are subject to removal by the University of Chicago Police Department, which will store impounded bicycles in the Young Memorial Building, 5555 South Ellis Avenue, for 10 days, during which time a bicycle can be reclaimed by calling 773-702-8181. After 10 days, the bicycle will be donated to charity. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chris Wheeler at 773-834-1617, christo1@uchicago.edu.

Resources

Bicycles on Campus (UChicago brochure, includes map of parking rack locations)

Cyclist Gym Membership Program Registration Form

Illinois Bicycle Rules of the Road (State of Illinois booklet)

Chicago Bike program (Chicago Department of Transportation website)

Biking to Work (Chicago Bicycle Federation pamphlet)

Bike and Ride Guide to Chicago (CTA brochure)

Bike routes around campus (City of Chicago map)

Other bike routes in Chicago (City of Chicago maps by neighborhood)