Transportation Options

Where to ride bikes:  Bikes may be ridden in any roadway or area where motorized vehicle operation is permitted. State law does not prohibit riding bicycles on sidewalks, however, many local ordinances do. The City of Oxford, for example, prohibits bicycle riding on the sidewalks in the uptown business district. Any bicycle ridden on a sidewalk must be operated with due regard for the safety of others. Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, so bikes must yield to them at all times. Riding bikes is not permitted anywhere that signs prohibit it.

• Miami University maintains a bike trail in Peffer Park, located on the west side of U.S. 27, just south of the Art Museum. The trail begins and ends in the southwest corner of the parking lot. All other campus trails are protected nature preserves and biking on these trails is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught riding bikes on any protected trail are subject to arrest and prosecution for criminal trespass, in violation of section 2911.21 of the Ohio Revised Code. THIS LAW IS STRICTLY ENFORCED.
• Take a moment to read some Bicycle safety tips from the Miami University Police.
• Bicycle lanes on Miami University’s campus are identified by pavement markings and dedicated lanes on E. Spring St. from S. Campus Ave. to Patterson Ave., State Route 73 from Patterson Ave. to the Miami University Stables. Multi-use paths for bicycles and pedestrians are built along the east side of Patterson Ave. from E. Chestnut St. to Shadowy Hills Dr.

Personal Transportation Devices: E-scooters are a new item in Oxford. Miami University has rules about them. Here are some things you should know:

• Electric scooters (e-scooters) may only be ridden in campus bike lanes (see map). E-scooter riders must obey all traffic rules, traffic lights and signs. Riders must dismount when crossing streets and roads. Pedestrians have the right of way at all times.
• Riders are expected to follow all e-scooter safety rules (e.g. do not wear a backpack or carry anything) while riding an e-scooter. Riders are strongly encouraged to wear helmets and eye protection. Headlights and headlamps should be used between sunset and sunrise. Riders may not wear headphones while riding an e-scooter in campus bike lanes.
• E-scooters must be walked across campus. E-scooters may not be ridden on any sidewalk on University property at any time with the exception of the bike lane incorporated into the sidewalk along Patterson Avenue. This is consistent with the approach taken by many cities that ban the use of e-scooters on sidewalks and an action that is supported by the Editorial Board of The Miami Student.
• E-scooters are banned from all University parking lots and garages. They may not be ridden or parked in University parking lots or garages.
• E-scooters must be parked at bicycle racks if on campus property. E-scooters may not be parked on sidewalks, block pedestrian pathways, building entrances or impede the work of the University (e.g., mowing or snow removal.)
• E-scooters are not permitted in residence halls or other University buildings. E-scooters may not be charged in residence halls or on other University property. There have been reports of batteries exploding and catching fire. Students charging e-scooters off-campus are urged to exercise extreme caution.
• E-scooters found in residence halls or left on University property may be impounded by University Police and a $75 impound fee will be assessed; storage fees of $5 per day will accrue while a scooter is impounded. In addition, a citation - which may be appealed - with a fine of $25 will be issued to impounded scooters.
• University employees may not ride scooters on campus while on University business and will not be reimbursed for any usage.
• A number of e-scooter related injuries and even deaths have been reported. Please ride safely and be aware of cars, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians at all time.

We also encourage you to review Miami University's Bicycle and Personal Transportation Device Policy.

A variety of transportation options are provided by Butler County Regional Transit Authority (BCRTA).

Campus Shuttle Routes — Students and employees can get around campus using the BCRTA local and regional routes. Shuttles offer many stops along each route, with destinations including many  Oxford campus locations, uptown Oxford, several off-campus student housing areas, and the Hamilton and Middletown campuses. Buses run daily during the fall and spring semesters, and winter and summer terms.  There is no fare to ride throughout the campus and community.

ADA Service — BCRTA provides transportation for students and employees with disabilities. Any time fixed bus routes are running, BCRTA provides door-to-door transportation around campus and in the Oxford area. To utilize this service for more than three consecutive uses students or employees must have the appropriate forms filled out by a doctor and given to the BCRTA for continued service. Students and employees can call BCRTA at 513-785-5237 or 855-42-BCRTA (toll-free) for this service, which operates during the scheduled hours of regular BCRTA fixed route services.  Students and employees who present a valid Miami University ID pay no fare to use the ADA service.

BCRTA SafeRide — BCRTA provides on-demand transportation for students and employees during late-night hours. Call BCRTA at 513-785-5237 or 855-42-BCRTA (toll-free) for hours of operation and to schedule service.  Students and employees who present a valid Miami University ID pay no fare to use the SafeRide service.

Typical hours of operation during fall and spring semesters:

• Monday-Saturday 10 p.m. to 3 a.m.
• Sunday 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Additional Transportation Services:  Other transportation options for getting to, from, and around Oxford are available but not listed on this page.  The Oxford Visitors Bureau may have additional options on their website. Certain private companies offer services to Miami students. Miami does not have any relationship with these companies, and it does not endorse their use. All such travel is at the traveler's own risk, and Miami does not assume any responsibility or liability for such services.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Approximately an hour south of Oxford in northern Kentucky off I-275

Dayton International Airport
Approximately an hour northeast of Oxford in Vandalia off I-70E

Port Columbus International Airport
Approximately two hours northeast of Oxford via I-70E

Indianapolis International Airport
Approximately two hours northwest of Oxford via I-70W

Butler County Regional Airport
Commercial services excluding scheduled air carrier service, Airport Rd. E., Hamilton, OH, 513-887-0444

Miami University Airport
Small commercial and private planes, Fairfield Rd., Oxford, 513-529-2735

Amtrak

1-800-USA-RAIL, no direct service to Oxford. Station locations—Cincinnati: 1301 Western Ave. (Union Terminal); 1005 Gilbert Ave. (Greyhound Bus Station), Connersville, IN: 1012 Eastern Ave.