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Alternative Transportation

UT offers several forms of alternative transportation for students, faculty, and staff.


Bicycles

RecSports UT Outdoor Program Bike Shop

UTOP location

Knox County Bicycle Maps and Routes

Knoxville TPO RideSmart brochure

“I Bike KNX” App Information

Bicycles operated on campus or city streets are subject to all state, local, and university motor vehicle laws pertaining to street travel. Bicycles operated on sidewalks or other pedestrian thoroughfares are subject to all state, local, and university laws and regulations regarding pedestrians.

Free Registration
All bicycles parked on campus must be registered and must display a current UT Bicycle Parking Permit. Two areas on campus can register your bike for FREE:

  • Circle Park Information Booth (at 1500 Volunteer Blvd by Torchbearer)
  • Parking & Transportation Services (at 2121 Stephenson Dr -off Neyland and Joan Cronan Way)

Please bring: Bicycle’s make, model, serial number, color, and your contact information to register your bicycle. UT Police Department runs an additional registration process for valuables including bicycles, computers, cell phones, etc. called Operation ID (Click here for link to register valuables online.)

Permits must be permanently attached to the seat tube below the horizontal bar, or comparable location. The permit must be visible and legible. Any permit that becomes illegible must be replaced. Damaged permits will be replaced at no charge. Permits are not transferrable to other bicycles or individuals. Unregistered bicycles are subject to impoundment.

Bicycle Parking: Where to park and NOT park the bicycle

Bicycles are to be parked in a designated bicycle rack.

View bike rack locations
The following will be prohibited:

  • bicycle parking in a manner that blocks pedestrian paths
  • obstructs accessible access
  • obstructs building access
  • affixing your bicycle to trees

Additionally, parking, riding, rolling, or storage of bicycles inside buildings is prohibited, except in University residence halls in accordance with the UT Division of Student Life University Housing Policy. Bicycles parked in prohibited areas are subject to impoundment.

Abandoned Bicycles
Bicycles may be identified as abandoned if missing a major component such as pedals, handlebars, a chain, and or has flat tires. Abandoned bicycles are subject to impoundment.

Impoundment
Bicycles are subject to impoundment in the following instances:

  1. if not properly registered
  2. are parked in prohibited areas, or
  3. are deemed abandoned.

Bicycle security devices may be removed by whatever means necessary to impound bicycles. The University will not be liable to the owner of this device for the cost repair or replacement.

Impounded Bicycles can be claimed at:

UT Warehouse

2111 Stephenson Dr (portable next to Parking & Transportation Services)
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone:(865) 974-7924
Hours: 7:00 am to 4:30 pm

  1. Claiming a registered impounded bicycle requires UT identification.
  2. Claiming an unregistered bicycle requires providing proof of ownership (a sales receipt or notarized statement of ownership providing the make, model, color, and location at the time of impoundment). The claimant must sign a statement of receipt for the bicycle.

There will be no fee assessed for the return of an impounded bicycle. Impounded bicycles will be held for thirty (30) calendar days before disposal by means the university deems appropriate.

Bike Repair Stations

Bicycle repair stations have been installed at Volunteer Hall, Fred D. Brown Jr. Hall, Massey Hall, and Laurel Residence Hall.

Indoor Bicycle Storage

A new indoor bicycle storage is part of the Dogwood Hall (on the west end of campus).

Greenway

With dedicated bike lanes and sharrows on campus, coupled with an extensive Greenway System throughout the greater Knoxville area, UT is a great place to bike.

Eco Vols juicing up an electric fleet vehicle

UT supports advanced transportation technologies by offering 19 electric vehicle charger stations at three locations around campus including:

  • Staff Area 23 (6 chargers) at Pat Head Summitt Street (behind Temple Hall)
  • Agriculture Campus (6 chargers) at 2402 Chapman Drive (by the Central Greenhouse)
  • Top level of the 11th Street Garage (5 chargers) (this is the only garage with charging stations)
  • Facilities Services at 2040 Sutherland Ave (2 chargers)


Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger Signage

Due to the unique nature of EV parking areas, a custom sign has been installed at each location to clearly and concisely convey the purpose and requirements associated with the EV spaces.

Regulations and Policies

The EV Charger parking areas fall under standard UT Parking Regulations and Policies, which require a UT parking permit to park on campus.

 

  1. Student, Staff, and Faculty vehicles parked in an EV Charger space must display a current valid UT parking permit and a “Special EV Permit”. This special permit will be provided at no additional charge to any student, faculty, or staff with a valid UT parking permit.
    1. Students, staff, and faculty may charge in any of the three areas regardless of your assigned parking area. (S30 regular permit may recharge in S23 EV chargers at Music)
    2. Special EV parking permits must be renewed every year.
  2. Campus visitors (or anyone without a regular UT student, faculty, or staff parking permit) may obtain an EV parking permit from:
    *UT Parking and Transportation Office (at 2121 Stephenson Drive off Neyland & Joan Cronan Way)
    These permits will be charged at the standard rate of $5 per day and will be valid for up to four hours on the day of issuance.
  3. Users of EV chargers shall follow all instructions to ensure the safe and proper use of chargers, including proper storage of the charging cord and plug after use.

LIMITS

  1. Parking at a recharging station will be limited to four (4) hours. This time limit assists in creating turnover for the spaces to maximize their availability and use by EV vehicle owners.
  2. Overnight parking at EV charger spaces will not be permitted.
  3. Parking for vehicles that cannot be properly coupled to the EV charger plug and charged is strictly prohibited (e.g., gas-powered vehicles, standard hybrid vehicles such as the Prius, electric GEM vehicles, etc.).

 

 

 

 

Failure to abide by the UT Parking Regulations and the EV Charger Parking Area requirements may result in the issuance of a citation and/or towing of the vehicle.

The current number of charging stations is meeting the current demand. If demand increases, we will explore additional options.

Find Nearby Charging Stations

Source: ChargeHub.Com

UT to West TN

A program sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students that is designed to assist students in need of transportation back home over certain selected breaks.
Find out more about the program here.

UT to West TN provides safe and reliable transportation home for select breaks (Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks) to students who live in Nashville, Memphis, and Jackson, Tennessee.

Registration Information

For a low cost ($55 roundtrip), the UT to West TN trip brings families together for major holidays and breaks. UT to West TN has a limited number of seats. Registration for the trips will open closer to the date of the trips. Please stay tuned for an announcement of registration openings! Seats are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. Payment must be received for a seat to be reserved. The UT to West TN fee is non-refundable.

 

Smart Trips

Smart Trips promotes alternatives to driving alone—easing traffic congestion improves our region’s air quality and quality of life. When you participate in Smart Trips, you can improve your health, save money, save the environment, and earn rewards!

Smart Trips can help you become a mobile genius. The program works to help you find alternatives to driving alone, such as carpooling, taking transit, biking, walking, and telecommuting to work. In the event of a schedule change, Faculty and Staff are eligible  for an emergency ride home. And to reward you for being so clever, Smart Trips participants are eligible for great perks in the form of prizes and commuter rewards.

Enroll in Smart Trips to start logging your commutes.

 

Knoxville Area Transit (KAT)

Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) is the City of Knoxville’s transit system. Please find out more about KAT’s regular bus service, as well as the free trolley system that connects downtown and Cumberland Avenue at their website.

Click here to link to available Routes

KAT LIFT – PARATRANSIT

Door-to-Door Service

KAT offers paratransit service for those who are unable to use regular fixed-route buses. The LIFT, a door-to-door service, is provided by reservation only, and passengers must be certified by KAT to use the service. All LIFT passengers must re-apply every two years to keep their certification current. The LIFT handbook (PDF) contains detailed information on using the service. Anyone wishing to apply for LIFT certification should read the handbook prior to filling out the application (PDF).

One Ride Fare

The fare to use the LIFT service for one ride is $3.

 

Knoxville Trolley

Three trolley routes serve Downtown Knoxville and the UT area. Trolley maps are available at several locations throughout downtown, including Knoxville Station Transit Center.

  • Blue Line | Knoxville Station, The Civic Coliseum and waterfront pathway.
  • Green Line | The Old City and Gay Street
  • Orange Line | University of Tennessee and Downtown

View the Trolley System Map (PDF).

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.