Conscious Commuting

By Kyle Hickey

Student Assistant for the UCLA Office of Sustainability


After nearly a year and a half of online instruction, the time is finally coming for the long-awaited return of in-person instruction. Thousands of students, faculty, and staff will be making their way back to campus this fall. Now is a great time to explore sustainable commuting options! Sustainable modes of transportation can help you develop a more active lifestyle and save time and money while reducing your carbon footprint. Here are some of your options:

Walking – Walking is the ultimate sustainable transportation option and a great way to get some exercise on your way to campus. For those who live close enough, it’s a great opportunity to clear your mind or listen to a podcast before class or work. Qualifying staff and faculty can even receive a $50 Amazon gift card for walking to campus. For those concerned about their safety while walking, CSO escorts are available from dusk until 1am every day. Call (310) 794-WALK and an escort will take you between locations on campus, local living areas, and Westwood Village.

E-scooters – E-scooters are another great option for those living close to campus, providing quick, affordable, and flexible transportation. Lyft, Bird, and Wheels all offer service on the UCLA campus. Be aware that you must wear a helmet while riding and park your scooter in designated locations when you’re done. Make sure to check out the scooter policy before you ride!

BruinAccess – This service provides accessible, curb-to-curb rides between locations on and near campus. Riders can access these services on-demand or schedule rides ahead of time.

BruinBus – BruinBus is a free bus service that connects campus, the Wilshire Center, and the University Apartments. It is wheelchair accessible and makes regular stops on weekdays with limited weekend service. Additional information, including routes and schedules, can be found here.

Biking – Live a little farther from campus? Cycling is an affordable and healthy way to commute. There are a number of resources for cyclists on campus:

  • Bike racks, lockers, repair stands, and routes on campus can all be found on this map.
  • UCLA’s Bike Shop, located in the John Wooden Center, provides repair resources, educational classes, and expert advice.
  • Qualifying staff and faculty can receive a bike voucher for up to $50 when commuting to campus by bike.
  • UCLA’s Earn-A-Bike program can provide qualifying employees and graduate students a free $450 bicycle package for trading in their parking permit.
  • Every year UCLA Transportation hosts Bike Recycling Day where members of the UCLA community can get a used bike for FREE. Follow UCLA Transportation on Instagram to find out when the next Bike Recycling Day will be.

Public Transit – Public transit allows those living farther away to sit back, relax, read, or study while getting to campus. Navigation software such as Google Maps has built in features for exploring public transit options based on your route. UCLA Transportation offers a number of subsidized transit passes with local agencies including LA Metro, Culver City Bus, and Big Blue Bus. Eligible students, staff, and faculty can even receive a free transit pass for one quarter.

Carpool/Vanpool – For those too far away to bike or use public transit, carpooling or a vanpool can be an effective option. These options allow multiple people coming from similar locations to use the same vehicle, saving money and reducing the emissions and traffic compared to single-occupancy vehicles.

For more information on transportation options, see the UCLA Transportation website.