Shift Your Semester · September 15 – December 15, 2026
The BU Cycle Kitchen, and the rest of getting around BU
The BU Cycle Kitchen at 1019 Comm Ave is a free, self-service repair space — the staff teach, you do the wrenching. It has helped more than 900 riders.
BU students are also taking 10 active trips in 30 days to unlock a $15 reward on Shift. How that works
Getting around BU
What BU already runs — passes, shuttles, bike space and repairs — with a link to each program.
Transit
BU’s transportation office publishes clear guidance on when a semester pass beats paying per ride — worth reading before you buy.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)The BUS — BU’s free shuttle — runs seven days a week with late-night service, with live tracking in the Terrier Transit app.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)
Bike
The BU Cycle Kitchen at 1019 Comm Ave is a free, self-service repair space — staff teach, you wrench. It has helped 900+ riders.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)Discounted Bluebikes membership for students, faculty, and staff, plus secure bike rooms, air pumps, and repair stations across campus.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)A live calendar of bike events: the Comm Ave Slow Roll, bike swap meets, and how-to workshops.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)
Around campus
The Charles River Esplanade runs the length of campus — a riverside walk or ride to class.
Boston University(opens in a new tab)
Programs and prices change each term. Check the linked school pages for current details.
- $15
- reward, unlocked
- 10
- active trips
- 30
- days to take them
- First 200
- to finish
For verified students, faculty, and staff at any Massachusetts college or university. One campaign code per account.
Join BU on Shift.
Get the free app and enter code SEMESTER. Then verify your @bu.edu address inside the app. That puts you in BU’s group and starts your 30-day clock: 10 active trips unlock $15. Your account can stay on any email.
Installing from the App Store or Google Play? Enter the code after you sign up. Store installs don’t carry the link.
Where do I enter the code?
How the schools stack up
Schools by shift rate so far in October, the share of trips taken actively. Boston University is 4 points behind #1.
What’s around campus
Everywhere you can walk, bike, or ride to from BU. The live map opens centered on campus, with real-time arrivals for every route.
Trains & buses
- Boston University East2 min walkGreen Line BBoston College ↔ Government Center · every ~10 min
- Boston University Central2 min walkGreen Line BBoston College ↔ Government Center · every ~10 min
- Blandford Street5 min walkGreen Line BBoston College ↔ Government Center · every ~10 min
- Lansdowne7 min walkFramingham/Worcester LineWorcester ↔ South Station · every ~27 min
- Commonwealth Ave @ Granby St2 min walkRoute 57Watertown Yard ↔ Kenmore Station · every ~12 min
- Marsh Plaza1 min walk
Boston University Shuttle · Boston University ID required to board
1 BU (Charles River-Medical Campus)Comm AveFenwayNightSchedules on the Boston University site.
Weekday daytime frequencies. The live map has real-time arrivals.
Bike routes
- Dr. Paul Dudley White Path1 min ride away
Shared use path · 16.2 mi through the area
- Charles River Paths1 min ride away
Shared use path · 10.1 mi through the area
- Charles River Greenway1 min ride away
Shared use path · 17.7 mi through the area
- Paul Dudley White Charles River Bike Path1 min ride away
Shared use path · 3.8 mi through the area
Bluebikes docks
Where you can get to
- Back Bay
Bike 15 min · T & bus 22 min · Walk ~39 min
- Downtown Crossing
Bike 24 min · T & bus 24 min
- Harvard Square
Bike 17 min · T & bus 34 min
- Kendall / MIT
Bike 14 min · Walk ~31 min · T & bus 35 min
- North Station
Bike 25 min · T & bus 35 min
- Seaport
Bike 32 min · T & bus 44 min
Weekday morning times; ~ marks an estimate.
Events near BU
A few picks over the next 30 days — the full calendar has everything.
Roams to try
Guided routes — preview the full route here, then check in at each stop in the Shift app to earn the badge.
Emerald Necklace Bike Route
Starts 0.8 mi from campus · bike · 7.3 mi route · ~49 min · Boston · Brookline
Museum Hop
Starts 0.9 mi from campus · walk + transit · 3.6 mi route · ~180 min · Boston
The Sunset Pedal
Starts 1 mi from campus · bike · 1.6 mi route · ~10 min · Boston · Cambridge
Your first 10 trips are worth $15.
Get Shift, enter SEMESTER, verify your BU email, and turn the walk to class into something more.