Biking To Suffolk

Boston weather doesn’t always cooperate, but it’s possible to bike to Suffolk during a large part of the year. Biking is great exercise, environmentally friendly, and can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Of course, before you try biking to Suffolk, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor—just to be sure you won’t be overdoing it. And don’t worry, after a long hot ride on a summer day, you can freshen up, and even take a shower and change clothes, right on campus.

How can I find the best bicycle route to Suffolk?

Boston’s Bikemap illustrates good bicycling routes to and from Suffolk, including the Charles River Paul Dudley White Bike Path, the Southwest Corridor Bike Path, Beacon Street, and Columbus Avenue. The map can be ordered by mail; and it’s available at many bookstores, including the nearby Borders Books at 10-24 School St and Barnes & Noble at 395 Washington St; and at most sporting goods or bike stores in the Boston metropolitan area.

Where can I park my bike?

Suffolk provides bicycle parking at or near most of its buildings. Be sure that you have a secure lock, as these areas are not secured.

• Frank J. Donahue Building
  Racks are located in the passageway north of the building.
• New England School of Art and Design at Suffolk University
  10 St. James Avenue garage.
• Frank Sawyer Building
  Across the street at One Ashburton Place.
• 73 Tremont Street
  Tremont Place near entrance to Mildred Sawyer Library.
• Sargent Hall/Law School
  Garage.

I’d like to ride my bike, but I’ll need to clean up and put away my gear when I arrive. What can I do?

Bicycle commuters can get a special locker at the Ridgeway Building and use the showers and changing area.  You can sign up at the Facilities Management Office, Room A183 (enter from Donahue lobby, proceed left into the Archer Building, and the office is at the bottom of the small stairway, opposite the mail room).  Bring your Suffolk ID and bicycle helmet.

What if I don’t want to ride my bike home at night, or if the weather turns bad?

If you don’t want to ride home at night, or when it’s raining, you can take your bike on MBTA trains during off-peak hours. Bikes are allowed on the Red, Blue, and Orange lines from the start of service weekdays until 7:00 a.m., from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and after 7:00 p.m.  Bicycles are not allowed on the Green Line or buses without special bike racks.  Bikes are allowed at all stations except Park Street, Downtown Crossing (except to transfer), or Government Center.  Bikes are all allowed on commuter rail trains anytime except during weekday rush hours (morning inbound and evening outbound).  Folding bicycles, when folded, are allowed on Commuter Rail trains at any time.

Because these regulations are subject to change, we suggest that you review MBTA bike regulations regularly.