Nearly half of Colorado State University faculty, staff and students use alternative forms of transportation – taking the bus, biking, walking and sharing a ride – to get to campus, according to the university’s 2016 commuter survey.
Bike-friendly campus
In May 2013, the League of American Bicyclists named Fort Collins a Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community. The Platinum BFC award recognizes Fort Collins’ commitment to improving conditions for bicycling through investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure, and pro-bicycling policies. This honor came after years of support by the Campus Bicycle Advisory Committee (CBAC), part of the Campus Police, which helped CSU earn it’s first, Silver, Bicycle Friendly University rating in 2011.
With guidance from its Bike Master Plan, CSU is continuously improving its support of bicycling on campus, including the following:
- An on-campus network of separated bicycle and pedestrian paths
- Underpasses and other seamless connections to City bicycle routes off-campus
- Fix-it stations located around campus for quick DIY bike repairs
- The Spoke, and on-campus bicycle maintenance and education center
- Over 16,000 bicycle parking spaces throughout campus (with 18,000 planned for 2018)
- On-campus educational and encouragement opportunities, such as We Ride, Bike to Breakfast Events, Women’s Rides and Smart Cycling Courses
- Two on-campus bike share stations, integrated with the Fort Collins Bike Share
Visit CSU’s Cycling to and around campus web page to learn more.
Bus service
The University’s student government, ASCSU, partners with the City of Fort Collins to provide bus service to the campus community. All CSU students receive a pass to ride the Transfort bus system at no cost per ride.
CSU has easy access to Fort Collins’ bus rapid transit system, MAX, and Around the Horn, which runs at stops throughout campus every 10 minutes. Regional services including Bustang to Denver Union Station and FLEX to Loveland, Longmont and Boulder. The University Transit Center, located at the LSC, acts as a hub for many of the local bus routes for reaching all corners of Fort Collins and beyond.
Walking & Longboarding
The University Master Plan calls to continue towards a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly campus. Currently 13% of students, faculty and staff commute to campus by walking. As the campus develops, it continues to move parking structures to the perimeter of campus, preserving CSU’s pedestrian-friendly character and open spaces.
CSU supports Longboarding to campus through the installation of longboard racks near building entrances, and encouragement events such as Longboard to Lunch.
Share a Ride
CSU students, faculty and staff, along with other community members, can search for carpool partners or open seats on vanpools at VanGo. CSU Parking & Transportation Services offers Carpool Parking Permits and designated carpool parking spaces upon request.
Zipcar
CSU has partnered with Zipcar Inc., the world’s leading car-sharing network, to offer short-term car rentals on campus. This transportation option is available 24/7 to all students and employees ages 18 and older, as well as members of the local community ages 21 and older. Car sharing helps support other alternative modes by making a car available to people when they need it for special errands or trips, without the added cost of maintaining, insuring and parking a personal vehicle. Colorado State students, employees and local community members can join today at zipcar.com/colostate.
Zagster Bike Share
CSU now has two on-campus bike share stations, integrated with the Fort Collins Bike Share system. Bike share allows for short-term point-to-point or round-trip bike rentals, with easy access through the Zagster app. To sign up, visit http://bike.zagster.com/fortcollins/ and scroll to the Student Annual Membership option.