Skip to main content

Facilities and
Campus Services

Cycling on Campus

Keys to Safe and Successful Cycling at Cornell

Cycling is an excellent way to get to and around campus, and navigating Ithaca’s hills is easy with TCAT’s free bike rack program.
  • Follow safe cycling guidelines.
  • Obey all path and pavement markings.
  • Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks.
  • Be sure to Register your bicycle here free of charge!
  • Bicycles should be parked at bike racks or in bike storage areas.
photo of person biking, McGraw tower in the background

Biking Guidelines

  • Be Safe

    Make sure your bike is mechanically safe and is the right fit for you­—have it adjusted at a local bike shop for a more comfortable and safer riding experience.

    Wear a helmet. It greatly reduces the risk of serious head injuries and brain damage in a crash.

    Tunes off! It’s against the law to wear more than one ear phone attached to an audio device (iPod, cell phone, etc.). Use your ears to keep tuned-in with traffic sounds. 

  • Be Seen

    Wear brightly colored and/or reflective clothing to increase your visibility to motorists.

    Install a bell or horn. It’s the law.

    Use legal headlights and taillights if you ever ride at dusk or at night. They are also required by law.

    Use a personal strobe light. While it’s not a legal taillight, it will get you noticed!  

  • Be Predictable

    Follow all of the rules of the road. Cyclists are treated the same as other vehicle drivers and can be ticketed when they don’t obey traffic laws.

    Ride with the flow of traffic.

    Stop for all red lights and stop signs.

    Look in all directions for traffic.

    Signal stops and turns, and make sure motorists and pedestrians see you.

    Don’t make left turns from bike lanes—position yourself as you would if you were a motorist to make a left turn.

    Be extra vigilant around buses.

  • Be Secure

    • Register your bike with Cornell Commuter & Parking Services and your local municipality.
    • Park smart – use a bike rack or a designated residence hall storage area.
    • Lock it well – choose a U-lock or other high-quality lock, securing both the frame and a wheel to the rack.
    • Report theft promptly – contact the police right away if your bike goes missing.

Taking these steps helps protect your bike and makes recovery easier if it’s lost or stolen.

Keep Life Safety Zones Clear

Please park your bike or other wheeled vehicle only in designated areas. Avoid blocking fire hydrants, fire lanes, emergency zones, service drives, building entrances, ramps, or walkways.

Keeping these spaces open ensures quick access for emergency responders, accessibility for wheelchairs, and safe passage for pedestrians and service equipment.

Rules for Electric Mobility Devices

Thinking about using an e-bike or other electric mobility device on campus? Visit the Cycling Rules and Regulations page to learn about where and how you can ride safely, responsibly, and in compliance with campus guidelines.

Ecology Alert – Protect Our Natural Spaces

To preserve Cornell’s beautiful landscapes, some areas—like parts of the Botanic Gardens, the City’s Six Mile Gorge, and other public lands—are closed to bicycles. These restrictions help protect fragile plants, prevent trail erosion, and safeguard wildlife habitats.

Please follow the posted signs and choose approved bike routes. By riding responsibly, you help keep these special places healthy and enjoyable for everyone.

Keep Your Bike Safe (and Avoid Impound)

To keep campus pathways clear and safe for everyone, please park only at designated bike racks. 

Reasons bikes may be impounded:

  • They are a safety hazard.
  • Block walkways, stairways, doorways, or hallways
  • They are locked to railings, signposts, trees, or anything that isn’t a bike rack.
  • Appears to be abandoned

Parking Bikes Indoors
You may park your bike inside a campus building only with written permission from the building coordinator or director. This helps ensure the safety, accessibility, and protection of building spaces.

*Using a bike rack helps protect your bike and ensures our campus stays safe and accessible.