Public transit

News: BC Transit and the University of Victoria are working together to plan and create an expanded bus exchange between the current bus exchange and the Student Union Building that will see 7 to 10 new bus bays allowing for increased transit service to campus. Watch for an open house in early 2014 on the plans, and a tentative opening in September 2014.

Bus routes To campus
The University of Victoria is a major transit hub in the community. With more than 800 busses arriving and leaving each day, you can connect to campus from almost anywhere in the CRD. Up to 17,000 people use transit to get to campus each day!

Get a quick list of bus routes that serve UVic or visit the BC Transit website for schedules and maps.

NEW: UVic's UVicMobile "app" contains up to date transit information listing the next few buses leaving campus. Available on Andriod and Apple platforms for your smartphone.

Universal bus pass (U-Pass)

The universal bus pass (U-Pass) provides students with unlimited access to Victoria region public transit. All students taking at least one (1-unit) on-campus course are charged $69.25 for a four-month pass. This program makes transportation to UVic convenient and affordable, eases parking and traffic congestion, and reduces the demand to pave more of the campus for parking lots.

The magnetic strip on your validated UVic student card is also your U-Pass. If you are a returning student, take your card to the UVSS Info Booth (in the SUB), the University Centre Photo ID Booth or the GSS General Office to have it validated. If you are unable to use the U-Pass because you have a disability preventing you from using the bus or you already have a bus pass (e.g. through social assistance from the provincial government), you can opt-out of the U-Pass program. For more information on the very limited conditions for opting out, call or visit the UVSS Info Booth for more information.

Employee bus pass program (E-Pass)

The UVic employee bus pass program offers monthly Victoria Regional Transit passes at more than 50% off the regular price! To qualify for the subsidized bus pass, an employee must be eligible, defined as:

• any employee who lives off campus and
• any employee who is benefit-eligible or
• any employee who is on a continuing appointment or
• any employee who is on a temporary appointment whose hours of work are not less than 3 days per week or
• do not have a parking permit

These bus passes are not transferable—they’re for use by eligible employees only. The employee bus passes are sold at Campus Security Services on a month to month basis, available on the 15th of each month for the following month. In compliance with Canada Revenue Agency regulations, the UVic investment toward employee participation in the Employee Bus Pass program is considered a taxable benefit and will automatically appear on your T4.

Bikes on the bus

Have a long commute and only want to cycle one way, or the weather has turned ugly and you don't want to ride home? Almost all BC Transit buses are now equipped with front racks that can hold two bikes. Find out more by visiting the BC Transit website.

Cycling

UVic Bike Centre is under construction! Watch for our new bike centre in the University Centre parkade where we've removed 30 paid parking spots to make way for covered bike parking, bike lockers, gear lockers and benches. Plans also include an improved and expanded space for the SPOKES bicycle loan program. Watch for a grand opening in the fall of 2013!

Cycling routes

The UVic campus is serviced by many convenient and safe cycling routes from downtown and points all around the region. Check the cycling route map for ideas on how best to get to campus on your bike.

Cycling Amenities on Campus

With more than 2900 bike parking spaces, UVic is a bicycle-friendly campus. Cyclists can take advantage of covered bicycle shelters, bike lockers, clothing storage lockers, shower and change room facilities, a self-service bike repair kiosk and towel service at the gym. A cycling amenities map is also available.

Showers and change rooms are located in the following buildings and facilties:

• Ian Stewart Complex
• McKinnon Gym
• Engineering Computer Science Building
• Medical Sciences Building
• Social Sciences and Mathematics Building
• Technology Enterprise Facility
• Administrative Services Building
• First Peoples House of Learning
• Continuing Studies Building
• Craigdarroch Office Building

Bike lockers
There are currently close to 100 bicycle lockers around campus available for students, faculty and staff living off campus to rent on a semester by semester basis at current rates of $40/semester, plus a $50 key deposit. (Note that Residence Services rents lockers for those living on campus). Each locker has enough room for your bike and gear. Drop by the Campus Security building or contact aosmond@uvic.ca for information and to rent a locker. If you are unable to get a bike locker but need a bit of extra space for your cycling gear, simply take advantage of the hundreds of free lockers on campus, located in almost every building. More bike lockers coming soon in the new Campus Bike Centre (see above).

Clothing and gear lockers

In-building lockers large enough to hold bike bags, helmets, clothing, etc are located in 8 classroom buildings around campus. They can be rented on a semesterly or annual basis from Parking and Transportation Services. Fees include a $10 lock deposit.

UVic Bike Kitchen
At our self-serve bike repair kiosk, the "Bike Kitchen", cyclists can have access to bike stands, compressed air, and basic tools for quick repairs and minor adjustments. Open 24/7, the kitchen is centrally located outside in between the SUB and the GSS building. Full toolkits are available for loan to students and staff through Campus Security during regular office hours. Watch the video of the grand opening.

Bikes on the bus
In Victoria, over 95% of the transit fleet has bicycle racks on board, so it is easy to make cycling a part of your regular commute. There are 3 basic steps involved in putting your bike on the rack -- you can check out the BC Transit webpage for photos and instructions. Or, the next time you are at the bus loop on campus, try out the racks on a parked bus.

Free bike locks available for short term loan
Need to lock your bike, but no lock? Ask at the Library Loans Desk for a free lock available for short term loan.

Electric bike charging stations
There are 4 free designated electric bike charging stations on campus. All stations are on a first come first serve basis and owners are using the stations at their own risk. Locations are outside the following buildings:

• Human and Social Development
• Visual Arts
• David Strong
• University Centre

Bicycle engraving
To reduce the likelihood of theft and to assist in recovery if your bike is stolen, participate in a Bicycle Registration program with Campus Security Services. You can have your bike engraved and registered free of charge. Your bike and accessories will be identified with your Driver's License or BC ID number and Campus Security will register all your information on a computer system. To set up an appointment, call the Personal Safety Coordinator at 250-721-8981 or email psc@uvic.ca.

SPOKES

SPOKES is a unique bicycle shop and rental program, where volunteers give new life to old bikes making it easy for students, faculty and staff to have access to affordable, green, and active transportation.

NOTE:  Due to construction of the new Campus Bike Centre, SPOKES will remain closed until early November. Watch this space for updates!

How it works:

SPOKES is re-opening in early November 2013, once construction of the new Campus Bike Centre is complete. During this time, we are unable to provide services. More information on planned services coming soon.

Bike Returns:  Do you have a SPOKES bike on loan? Once we re-open you can return your bike and lock during regular work party hours (see below). In the meantime, we ask that you hold on to it. For further information or extraneous circumstances associated with returning your existing bike, contact spokes@uvic.ca.

Bike Donations:  If you have a used, adult sized bike to donate to SPOKES, please drop it off during regular work party hours or email spokes@uvic.ca to make arrangements for pick up.

How to find us:

SPOKES has a  cage located in west end of the underground parkade under the University Centre Building. You can enter from the stairs across from the David Strong Building or via the parkade driveway at the University Centre roundabout.

Hours of Operation:

Starting when we re-open in early November 2013, our regular hours will be:

• 5:30 to 8:30 pm Wednesdays
• 9:00 to 10:30 am Saturdays

Volunteering for SPOKES

SPOKES is building a better community by sharing knowledge! Our entire program is run by volunteers who teach and learn from each other.  If you are interested in learning bike repair skills, and willing to share your skills with the SPOKES program, we welcome you!  Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome.  No tools or supplies required.  Contact spokes@uvic.ca for more information.

Program sponsors

SPOKES was started in 2003.  Over the past decade it has evolved to an award winning program.  SPOKES is run by volunteers with generous support from campus partners such as:

• University of Victoria

• UVic Sustainability Project

• UVic Students Society

Bike Centre

Construction is underway to create a new UVic Bike Centre under the University Centre at the west end of the parkade. Up to 30 parking spaces are being removed to make way for an expanded work space for the SPOKES bicycle loan program, gear lockers, bike lockers and other secure bike parking. This is a 50th Anniversary Legacy project with a planned opening date of September 2013. See the Terms of Reference for more info or contact action@uvic.ca.

Watch this space for updates on the grand opening celebration October 2nd, 2013.

CAC

Interested in getting more involved in cycling issues and programs on campus? The Office of Campus Planning and Sustainability welcomes student, staff and faculty cyclists to participate in our Cycling Advisory Committe. We host informal meetings a few times a year, usually over a lunch hour. Contact action@uvic.ca for more information.

Virtual meetings

Using video conferencing can reduce your transportation impact by not leaving campus to attend meetings, lectures or seminars. The technology provides real time face to face interaction with sites virtually anywhere in the world. The technology allows for communication between two sites or between multiple locations. The state-of-the-art videoconferencing facilities at UVic are located in the Social Sciences and Math Building, with three different sized rooms available for rent. And it's FREE forn on-campus users! For more information visit Media Services.

Webcasting is another technology that can be used to reduce the numbers of people travelling to campus to participate in lectures, panel discussions or other events. Your event can be broadcast over the internet and seen by people around the world live, for a minimal cost. For more information visit Media Services.

Skype, webinars and other online collaboration technology should also be used whenever possible to discourage unnecessary travel for meetings.