Bicycles and other Personal Transportation Devices
Students are encouraged to register their bicycle with the Vanderbilt University Police Department. Batteries for electric bicycles or non-medical personal electric transportation vehicles, such as electric scooters, are prohibited inside university facilities for riding, storage, or charging. All battery-operated mobility devices (e.g., electric scooters, e-bikes, hoverboards) must be registered with VUPS prior to use on campus.
Bicycles or other transportation devices should only be locked at bike racks, never fences, posts, or other structures. Bicycles or other transportation devices locked improperly will be removed and relocated. Bicycles that are deemed abandoned—such as those that are left in disrepair, unmoved for an extended period, or parked in unauthorized areas—will be tagged with a notice indicating potential removal. After 30 days, the university may remove and store the bicycle. Removed bicycles will be held for a period of 30 days from the date of collection. During this time, owners may reclaim their bicycle by providing a valid description and proof of ownership.
Tennessee bicycle laws apply both on and off campus for safe travel. Vanderbilt policy concerning the use of bicycles on campus is as follows:
- Cyclists riding on sidewalks must yield to pedestrians, and must provide audible notice before passing pedestrians.
- The bicycle speed limit on campus roads is 10 miles per hour.
- Riders on Vanderbilt pathways must ride single file, and no more than two abreast on roadways.
- Cyclists on roadways must ride with traffic as close to right edge of the roadway edge as practicable, except under one or more of the following circumstances:
- when the lane is not wide enough to accommodate both a driver and a rider,
- when overtaking and passing a vehicle going in the same direction,
- when preparing for a left turn,
- when avoiding obstacles or hazards, or
- when there is a designated bicycle lane.
Student Parking
All vehicles parked on campus must have a valid parking permit. Undergraduate parking permits are available to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. First-year students may not register or park vehicles on campus. Parking permit eligibility and pricing are determined by an individual’s first full‑time status with the university at the time of purchase and remains tied to the account for permit purposes, even if additional roles are added later. A full list of parking rules and regulations can be found on the Transportation and Parking webpage.
Vandy Ride
VandyRide offers a convenient nighttime transportation solution for students, faculty, and staff during evening hours (5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.) when the university is in session. For the safety of passengers and drivers, pick-up and drop-off is at designated shuttle stop locations only. Students who stop vehicles outside of designated shuttle locations may be reported for disciplinary action. More information can be found at vu.edu/vandyride.
Vehicles: Motorcycles, Motorized Bicycles, Mopeds, and Motor Scooters and Parking Permits
As above, motorized vehicles operated on campus by Vanderbilt University faculty, staff, and students, must be permitted.
The operation of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, motor scooters, and mopeds on sidewalks (walkways and similar paths) is prohibited, in keeping with Tennessee Code Annotated #55-8-101. Vehicles providing accessibility (such as motorized wheelchairs), are exempt from the prohibition if approved in advance through Student Access. Complete regulations regarding motorcycles etc., can be found on the Parking and Transportation webpage.
Vehicles: Golf Carts Prohibited
Golf carts are prohibited on campus, except when used by those departments (Alumni Events, e.g.) that must use such carts in the undertaking of their responsibilities during special events. Rare exceptions may be made by the Vice Provost and Dean of Students, or designee, in consultation with the Director of the Student Health Center and Student Access, for students whose mobility impairment cannot be accommodated by any other device. Golf carts may not be operated on Metro streets and must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.
Wrecks
Persons involved in crashes or collisions on campus that result in personal injury or property damage should report the incident to VUPD.
For safety issues or concerns, please contact VUPS. For non-emergencies, call 615-322-2745. For emergencies, call 911, or from on campus with a cellphone call 615-421-1911.
Pre-Approved Mobility Rides
Electric golf carts are available to provide rides for those with medical or accessibility needs. Students with those needs must register for this service with and be approved through Student Access. If you would like to access the pre-approved Mobility Rides, contact Student Access through the online portal or at 615-343-9727.
In addition, eligible students with long- or short-term, temporary or permanent disabilities may enroll in and utilize WeGo Access and Access on Demand services free of charge through WeGo Public Transit. To speak with a WeGo eligibility specialist, call 615-880-3596. All WeGo buses and the WeGo Star commuter rail trains are ADA accessible and free for use with a Vanderbilt-registered QuickTicket account.