James Madison is a Bicycle Friendly University
In 2023 JMU renewed its Bicycle Friendly University status with the League of American Bicyclists. As a Silver Level award holder, JMU is committed to promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff, and visitors.
There are over 10 miles of bike lanes on campus, in addition to many multi-use paths, including The Bluestone Trail.
Bike Safety
People on bikes should ride in the bike lane, or if no bike lane exists they should ride in the road, and are required to ride in the same direction as traffic. People on bikes are required to obey all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs and red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and signaling when turning. Bicycles are allowed on shared use paths and sidewalks on campus.
It’s recommended that people on bikes wear helmets for every ride and use reflective gear. Virginia law requires the use of front and rear reflectors. See the full list of Virginia bicycling laws here.
For more safety tips for bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians, please read this Urban Bicycling Safety Guide and visit Sharing the Road in Virginia.
The university's rules covering Bicycle Safety can also be found in the Student Handbook.
Policies about the usage of Skateboards and Similar Modes of Transportation can be found here: jmu.edu/osarp/handbook/all-policies/j-101.shtml
JMU Bicycle Friendly Resources
Bike Registration
All bikes on campus should be registered with Project 529. For more information, please see the JMU Bike Registration FAQ. Registering your bike is a quick and easy process.
JMU reCycle Bike Rentals
JMU Alternative Transportation is proud to offer a limited number of formerly abandoned, now refurbished bicycles for semester-long rentals. Rental prices are $100 per semester with a $300 refundable deposit. You will receive a refurbished bike that has been recently tuned up by a professional mechanic, along with a helmet, U-lock, headlight, and taillight. For more information please call or email our office at 540-568-8953 or AlternativeTransportation@jmu.edu.
JMU Bike Rack and Air Pump Map
The JMU Bike Rack and Air Pump Map shows locations of over 600 bike racks and 8 air pump and maintenance stations on campus. Each rack on the map includes details on the type of rack and specific location information.
Learn to Ride
Need to learn how to ride a bike or want to improve your skills? Watch for KIN 122 Road Cycling and KIN 123 Mountain Cycling when you register for classes.
The League of American Bicyclists offers free online Smart Cycling bike education classes here: bikeleague.org/ridesmart/ridesmartvideos. They also offer safety videos.
Cycling Club
If you think of yourself as a cyclist and are looking for others to ride with, or are thinking about racing, try the JMU Cycling Club.
UREC
UREC offers a variety of indoor cycle classes, Intro to Mountain Biking, Try a Mountain Bike, and a variety of other biking related classes.
Cycle Central Bike Shop at UREC
Does your bike need the attention of a professional bike mechanic? Take it to Cycle Central inside UREC, where the pros from Shenandoah Bicycle Company offer bicycle repair, maintenance services, and cycling education programs!
Cycle Central is located in the UREC Adventure Center. If you are bringing in a bike for service, please drop it off using the Adventure Center Pick-up and Drop-off entrance near the UREC Loading Dock (at the end of Driver Drive, on the ISAT side of UREC). Bikes are not permitted through the front main entrance of UREC.
Riding off Campus
Harrisonburg is the bike capitol of Virginia. To learn more and get involved, visit the Harrisonburg City Biking and Walking page. The Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition offers many group rides, volunteer opportunities, and social events. There are mountain bike trails two miles from campus at Hillandale Park, and Massanutten Resort offers a variety of mountain bike activities.
Did we miss something?
When you ride your bike on campus, if you notice there is somewhere we can improve the cycling infrastructure, please let us know. We would love to hear from you. Please let us know if we need to add a bike rack or can make an improvement to make your ride better. You can view the Campus Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan prior to making a request.
