Our goal is to foster a culture of safe and responsible riding of bicycles and scooters on and off campus. A responsible rider follows the law, is considerate and communicates with others on the road, is visible, predictable, and utilizes appropriate equipment to ensure the safety of all. Explore the various bicycle resources, educate yourself, and find ways to get more involved with sustainable bicycling.

League of American Bicyclists

Here are some links to bicycle communities, some national and some local, that contribute to the quality and quantity of riding in and around Lowell.

Better understand your responsibilities as a cyclist and rules of the road by reviewing current Massachusetts bicycle laws.

Residence Life Policy Pertaining to Bicycles

Copied from Office of Residence Life Guidelines (pdf).

Sports and Activities

The use of sports equipment including but not limited to bicycles, metal tipped darts, skate boards, and roller blades are prohibited in the residence halls. Physical activities including wrestling, martial arts demonstrations, and sports games are prohibited in the residence halls. Students and guests should don recreational equipment (i.e. roller blades) outside of, or in the foyer of their buildings. The use of water guns and water balloons is prohibited in the residence halls.

Bicycles and Motorcycles

Bicycles may not be stored in public areas such as hallways or stairwells unless stored in a designated area. Bicycles may be stored in designated storage areas, as well as student bedrooms or suite living rooms within the residence hall or outside the building. Bicycles may not be hung on walls or ceilings. All motor vehicles (including motorcycles and motorized scooters) may only be parked in parking lots. Fuel and fuel storage tanks are not permitted in the residence hall for any reason. All motor vehicles must be registered. Bicycles need to be removed / taken home, at the end of the academic year; bicycles not removed will be considered abandoned and will be disposed.

UMass Lowell Bicycle Removal Policy and Procedure

Hazard Bicycles

Bicycles parked in ways that could be an emergency hazard or potential safety hazard will be subject to immediate removal and impoundment by campus police.

Junk Bicycles

Bicycles that are obviously inoperable or significantly rusted will be subject to immediate removal and impoundment by campus police.

Abandoned Bicycles

Bikes suspected of being abandoned will:

  • Be tagged as abandoned and left for the owner to recover for a period of 14 days.
  • Be searched in the bicycle registration database and owner notified if possible.
  • Have a small string or survey tape tied through the front wheel to determine if bicycle has been moved within the tagging period.
  • Be photographed and logged in the police log.

Impoundment of Bicycles

If bike has not been moved or retrieved after the 14 day tagging period:

  • Lock will be cut and bike impounded to storage in evidence. Locks will be kept with bicycles.
  • Bike will be searched in the bicycle registration database and owner notified if possible.
  • Bike will be listed on the police evidence and impoundment log.
  • Bike will be held in evidence for 90 Days.

Claim an Impounded Bicycle

Impounded bicycles may be claimed in person at the UMass Lowell Police station.

UMass Lowell Police Department
University Crossing
220 Pawtucket Street, Suite 170
Lowell, MA 01854

To claim a bicycle the owner must provide reasonable proof of ownership such as:

  • Photo of bike prior to the impoundment
  • Ability to unlock the lock
  • Registration
  • Serial number
  • Ownership documentation
  • Knowledge of unique identifiers
  • Make
  • Model
  • Location it was last parked

All bicycles being claimed must be registered before being released to owner.

Unclaimed Bicycles

Bicycles left unclaimed will be evaluated by the UMass Lowell Bike Shop and be either:

  • Refurbished and sold as used, or
  • Salvaged for usable parts and recycled.

E-Scooters, E-Bikes and other electric motorized personal vehicles are becoming more popular at UMass Lowell (UML). It is essential for students, faculty and staff to operate these vehicles responsibly. Learn how to operate your E-Scooter/Bike safely.

Maps and Resources

External Bicycle Resources

  • MassBike website -  Bike safety education, riding tips, local paths/trails and Mass. state bike laws.
  • TrailLink - Run by Rails to Trails Conservancy, helps you plan biking trips and routes based on established biking trails and greenways. 

UMass Lowell Covered Bicycle Rack Locations

Campus Bike Resources Map

Bicycle Plan Title Page - Bicycle closeup with people sitting in the background

UMass Lowell Bicycle Plan 2022 - 2027

The Bicycle Advocacy Committee created the UMass Lowell Bicycle Plan 2022-2027 (pdf) that highlights past progress, current initiatives and future goals in the areas of:

  1. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,
  2. Engineering,
  3. Education,
  4. Encouragement, and
  5. Evaluation and Planning.

Bicycle Advocacy Committee History

The UMass Lowell Bicycle Advocacy Committee was established in 2016 to address bring together relevant departments and stakeholders across UMass Lowell and the community.

Committee members include staff across campus from Campus Recreation, Facilities Planning, Police, Sustainability, Transportation, Student Government, as well as the City Traffic Engineer, Neighborhood Planners, representatives from the local cyclist community and interested students, faculty and staff.​

Committee members meet approximately once per month to discuss, collaborate, and inform each other on bike programs and issues relevant to the University both on and off campus​. Some University members also serve as liaison with the city and other state agencies on bike-related matters.

Recent Topics:

  • E-Bike and E-Scooter accommodations
  • Bike Rack Improvements
  • Bike Share Operations

Additional Resources