Biking at Auburn

Auburn is the first university in Alabama to be named a Bicycle Friendly University and joins more than 200 colleges and universities across the United States who are working to transform their campuses. As a part of our commitment, we wanted to create a one-stop location for all things biking and Auburn.

To learn more about the benefits of biking, cycling amenities on campus, and resources in our community, check out the information below.

We’d also love to know if you…Have encountered something that makes riding on campus unsafe? Have an idea for how we can make biking on campus more enjoyable? Have come across biking infrastructure that needs repair? Have other thoughts or concerns about campus biking? Let us know! We want to do all we can to make biking on campus safe, enjoyable, and accessible.

Whether you’re in town for a day or here studying all year, taking a ride on a bike can generate many positive outcomes. A few of the benefits include → → →

Both Auburn University and the City of Auburn continue to work hard to make biking accessible and safe. Check our tips and resources, and reach out if you have any questions or concerns!

Report Your Biking Concerns

"Rock Star" Parking

With bike racks located outside most campus buildings and throughout downtown, you’ll essentially be within a short walking distance of your destination.

Brain & Mood Boost

Studies show biking can sharpen your memory, improve concentration, create more fluid thinking, and enhance your problem-solving ability and brain capacity. A quick pedal can also elevate your mood, relieve anxiety, increase stress resistance, and even banish the blues.

Improved Physical Health

Cycling provides a low-impact workout that helps improve the functioning of your cardiovascular system, while also benefiting your muscles, bones, and joints.tination.

Save Money

With the bike share, rideshare, and Tiger Transit, you can easily make your way around Auburn without a car, saving you driving miles, gas, and the cost of a parking permit. Even if you have your vehicle here, you can still save the cost of gas and wear and tear by hopping on a bike to get to your destination.

Protect Our Planet

Anytime you can power your transportation needs without fossil fuels, you’re preventing pollution from climate-changing gases and compounds that harm the quality of the air we breathe. Plus, you’re minimizing the impact from extracting and processing fossil fuels, minimizing water pollution from fluids leaking, lowering noise pollution, and helping Auburn reach its 2050 climate neutrality goal, to name just a few of the positive environmental impacts!

Rules & Safety

Cyclists and motorists have the same rights, rules, and responsibilities on most Alabama roads, but the City of Auburn does have some particular rules and regulations for cyclists. We’ve provided some tips and resources for safe and legal bicycling below, so you can ride often and with confidence.

All bicycles operated on campus must be registered annually with the Auburn University Parking Services Office (AUPS). The following information is needed to register a bike: brand, color, number of speeds, and serial number. See the chart for the most common places to find the serial number.

Bicycle permits are free of charge and offer the following benefits to cyclists:

Acts as a visible theft deterrent; similar programs on other campuses have decreased bicycle thefts.
Can potentially reduce costs to cyclists. Suppose your bicycle is registered and it is illegally parked or appears abandoned. In that case, AUPS can contact you directly in certain situations using the information provided during registration, rather than cutting the lock and impounding your bicycle. Proof of registration can also help you file an insurance claim on your stolen bike.
Aids in theft recovery. AUPS can flag your bicycle as stolen, provide you with your serial number, and look for your bike on campus.

Registration is available online on the vehicle registration page under AU Access. The permit must be picked up in the AUPS office and placed on the bicycle where it is readily visible. After the second week of each Fall Semester, any bike parked on campus without a valid AU bicycle permit displayed will be removed and placed in the Auburn University Impound Lot at the owner’s expense. All bicycles impounded will be held by AUPS for 100 days, and if not claimed, turned over to the Department of Asset Management for disposal.

Graphic showing 5 most common locations for a bike's serial number.

Bicycles should be parked or stored at bicycle racks and should never be secured to stairwells or accessibility ramps. Most residence halls and classroom buildings have racks nearby. Bicycles may be stored inside in private spaces, but they can’t block doors, stairways, public areas, and egress routes. Bikes parked or secured outside of racks or private rooms may be cited and impounded. As a reminder, always lock your bicycle through the frame, not just the wheel or the fork, to deter theft.

If you notice a need for additional racks in a particular location, please submit a Cycling Feedback Report.

For Bicyclists

Obey traffic rules for safety and to gain respect from motorists.
Never ride against traffic. It is illegal and unsafe.
Be predictable and make eye contact with motorists; be sure you are seen.
Use front and rear lights, wear bright clothing, and always wear a helmet.
Know the dangers of riding on the sidewalks.

For Motorists

Cyclists have a right to the road. Be alert and patient.
Check your mirrors. Watch for pedestrians and cyclists.
Reduce speed when you approach a cyclist.
Bicycles are vehicles and should be given the appropriate right of way.
Allow at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist.

Sidewalks vs. Multi-Use Paths

Riding a bicycle on sidewalks on campus and in the downtown area of the City of Auburn is prohibited because it’s dangerous. When traversing a sidewalk on your bike, follow these basic rules:

Walk your bicycle. Dismount your bicycle and walk it through the sidewalk area.
Check every cross street and driveway. Vehicles often pull across the sidewalk before entering traffic or turning into driveways without scanning very far down the sidewalk.

Multi-use pathways (10’+ wide) connect important campus and/or community destinations and are designed for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Go slow. These paths are not designed for speeds faster than a slow jog.
Always yield to pedestrians. Give audible warning when approaching pedestrians.

Auburn University partners with the City of Auburn, the City of Opelika, Auburn City Schools, Opelika City Schools, and the Lee-Russell Council of Governments to support the Travel with Care initiative. Through a series of awareness campaigns and resources, the endeavor seeks to help pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit riders better understand how to safely participate in our transportation system.

If you want to brush up on being a smart cyclist, you can find a series of informative videos through the League of American Bicyclists. These videos touch on everything from choosing and fitting a bike to properly riding a bike to safely interact on roads and trails. They’re a great starting point for getting into cycling but also great refreshers on the fundamentals.

A graphic of a person biking that is wearing a helmet.

Alabama state law does not require cyclists over the age of 16 to wear a helmet; however, research has shown that wearing a helmet dramatically reduces the risks of brain injury and death for cyclists in accidents by up to 88%. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute provides information for consumers on helmet purchase and replacement, along with a helmet fitting guide.

Auburn Outdoors

Your on-campus hub for biking and all things outdoors!

Auburn Outdoors (AO) offers various resources, tools, & expertise to help you on your cycling adventures. Through AO, you can:

Purchase replacement tubes or sealant for a flat tire fix;
Purchase cable, and housing to fix your shifting or braking on your bike;
Use their complete line of bike repair tools and stands for free;
Learn how to maintain & repair your bike from experienced bike technicians; &
Rent mountain, road, gravel, & touring bikes. Rentals can be made by the day, weekend, or week, and same-day rentals are FREE!

Visit AO weekdays from 1 – 7 pm for your on-campus biking needs!

Other Campus Resources

All the other things you'll find on campus to help you have a smooth ride.

Bikes, whether personal or rental, should be parked or stored at bicycle racks. You will find racks outside most residence halls and classroom buildings. Due to safety concerns, bikes should not be secured to handrails or accessibility ramps. If you notice a need for a rack in a particular location, please submit a Cycling Feedback Report.

Request a Rack

Self-service stations around campus enable cyclists to pump tires, tighten screws, and make other minor repairs. If the station you visit needs maintenance, please report it via a Cycling Feedback Report.

Photo of the Fix-It Repair station by the Melton Student Center.

Fix-It Repair Station Locations

Foy Dining Hall
Wiggins Hall
Village Dining Hall
Melton Student Center

When cycling in Alabama, you’re sure to work up a sweat. If you need to shower after your commute, you can find available showers at the following on-campus locations:

In certain circumstances, only biking may not be your best commuting option. With bike racks on all Tiger Transit buses, you can utilize both the bus and your bike to meet your commuting needs. Consider the following pointers when loading and unloading your bike on transit.

Loading Your Bike

Step 1

As the bus approaches, have your bicycle ready to load; remove all pumps and loose items that could fall off.

Step 2

Always approach the bus from the curbside. Tell the bus driver you are loading a bike.

Step 3

If it is not already down, squeeze the handle and pull down to release the folded bicycle rack.

Step 4

Lift the bicycle onto the rack's empty space, putting the front and rear wheels in the marked slots.

Step 5

Raise the support arm, making sure it is resting on your front tire, not the fender or frame.

Step 6

Be sure to remove any items that may obstruct the driver’s view, such as milk crates, oversize panniers, or child safety seats.

Unloading Your Bike

Step 1

Tell the driver that you need to unload your bike.

Step 2

Move the support arm down and lift off your bicycle.

Step 3

Fold up the rack and secure it if your bicycle is the last bicycle on the rack.

Aubie loading a bike onto the Tiger Transit bike rack.

Photo of person riding a bicycle with an Auburn biking uniform on.

The Auburn Flyers are the official club cycling team of Auburn University. The Flyers aim to promote cycling as both a hobby and sport through group rides, social events, and competitive race teams. The Flyers compete in mountain bike and road seasons as a part of the Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Conference.

The following campus and community members provide guidance and support for cycling efforts on campus. Please feel free to contact committee members with concerns, ideas, or stories of cycling successes on campus or reach out to sustain@auburn.edu or 844-7777.

Keli Berkman

Assistant Director, Auburn Outdoors

Jeffrey LaMondia

Associate Professor, Civil Engineering

Arishna Lastinger

Associate Director, Transportation Services

Susan McCallister

Director, Campus Safety & Compliance

Nikki Preston

Campus Planner, Facilities Management

Steve Nelson

Associate Director, Risk Management & Safety

Eric Smith

Director, Health Promotion & Wellness Services

Amy Strickland

Manager, Office of Sustainability

Experience the beauty of campus on this 2.5-mile bike ride, highlighting Auburn University’s ongoing sustainability efforts. Groups can receive a private, hour-long, 10-stop tour led by staff from Auburn Outdoors and the Office of Sustainability. Participants need to bring their own water bottles. Bikes, helmets, and snacks will be provided free of charge.

To book a tour for your group, contact the Office of Sustainability at sustain@auburn.edu or 334-844-7777 today!

Due to the nature of the event, groups must range in size from 6 – 10 people.

Community Resources

Get connected to local biking groups and businesses and explore national advocacy and educational resources.

Auburn Area Resources

Bicycle Auburn provides a one-stop location for information on all things biking in the city of Auburn. You can plan your ride, explore existing bike lanes & greenway trails, report safety concerns and repair needs, along with finding answers to common questions, and learning how you can get involved with biking in our local community.

Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP) is the official International Mountain Bicycling Association chapter for Central Alabama. They provide information on where to ride in Central Alabama, help improve trails in the area, host competitions, lead weekly rides in Chewacla State Park, and foster youth development through the sport of mountain biking.

East Alabama Cycling Club is an official USA Cycling Club. The group is open to cyclists of all abilities, from novice to avid road warriors. They meet monthly, host club rides, and support area rides like the Johnny Ray Century.

Need a bike mechanic? Parts for a repair? Accessories? A new ride? Check out one of our area bike shops to fulfill your needs while supporting our local economy.

National Resources

The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation and work through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.

The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center receives funding through the Federal Highway Administration. It seeks to improve the quality of life in communities by increasing safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity.

PeopleForBikes is the movement to make bike riding better for everyone. The goal is to make every bike ride better, whether that ride takes you on trails, down to the grocery store, or across town. By collaborating with millions of individual riders, businesses, community leaders, and elected officials, they unite people to create a powerful, united voice for bicycling and its benefits.

Untokening centers the lived experiences of people, particularly leaders from marginalized identities, as well as leaders who are actively engaging, organizing, and advocating alongside people within marginalized communities to end mobility injustices and inequities. They develop networks, training, and resources supporting BIPOC movement leaders who want to bring their lived experiences within marginalized communities into their professional work.