Transportation

Kent State strives to create transportation options on campus.

Walkable

The Kent campus covers about 950 acres and is easily walkable.  The Lefton Esplanade provides a pedestrian and bike path from Risman Plaza to downtown Kent, and also connects to the Portage Hike and Bike Trail.  Choosing to walk improves health and allows for greater connection with your surroundings.

View Kent State Campus Map

View Campus Walking Map

View Campus Mileage Chart

The City of Kent has a walk score, a numerical value assessing walkability services, of 88 out of 100, indicating a very walkable city where most errands can be accomplished on foot.

City of Kent's Walk Score

Bikeable

Biking will help you get across campus more quickly than walking, while also providing health and environmental benefits.  Bike parking is available across campus, and secure indoor bike storage is available in some residence halls. Bike rack rental is available from the Adventure Center at the Warren Student Recreation & Wellness Center. View more campus resources, biking safety and maps from the Recreation and Wellness Services.

Biking on Campus
Bike Rack Rental
Campus Bike Rack Locations
Bicycle Friendly University Designation from League of American Bicyclists

SPIN KSU

Kent State University partners with SPIN to provide shared eBikes and eScooters that are available on campus and within the City of Kent for use by students, faculty, staff, and the community. Approximately 100 eBikes and 100 eScooters are available.  Riding an eBike or an eScooter is a fast, easy way to get from class to class, run errands, and even a short commute. They are a great option for students, employees, and visitors to Kent State University.

SPIN KSU

Bike Registration

University Housing's Office of Safety and Security offers a bicycle registration process. If you are bringing a bicycle to campus, we highly encourage you to register your bike, which will help us and the Kent State University Police Department identify your bike if it goes missing. To register your bike, stop by the Office of Safety & Security Team in the Tri-Towers Rotunda anytime beginning move-in week, and a Safety Assistant will assist.

Hallways Handbook Bicycle Registration Info

Bike Trails

The Portage Hike and Bike Trail Map

Free Portage County Bike User Map 

Greater Akron Bike Trails

Dero Fixit Bike Station

This station is located outside between the Student Center and KIVA.  The Fixit Bike Station has free bike repair tools and an air pump.  It is equipped with a QR code which connects to bike maintenance tips.

Public Transit

It’s easy to get around campus with the free PARTA bus service, which offers access to all countywide fixed routes.

View PARTA's Kent State University Rider's Guide

View real-time fixed route bus locations with Passio Go!

Take your bike on PARTA

Passio Go

Learn about PARTA's Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station, Portage County's first CNG station.

PARTA brings nostalgic charm to Portage County with Polly the Trolley and the Downtowner Route!

Polly the Trolley

Ride Sharing

Gohio Commute is a web-based ride sharing program sponsored by AMATS (the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study) and other regional transportation planning offices around the State.  Anyone can register to find ride matches for their daily commute, or for single trips within Ohio.  Kent State University has a private network open to anyone with a kent.edu e-mail.  When you register with your kent.edu e-mail you will automatically be put into the Kent State network.  It will not appear on the list of networks because it is private.  You can choose matches from the Kent State Network, the AMATS network, or any other network you join.  Give it a try to save gas, save money, and reduce the stress of driving!
Gohio Commute Website

Gohio Commute Instructions

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Kent State University has twelve electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on campus.  Charging is available for a maximum of four hours and hourly payment is required ($1.00 per hour).  Additional details and locations are available from Parking Services.

EV Charging Stations on Campus

FLEET SERVICES RENTALS

Fleet Services maintains rental vehicles for business-related travel by faculty, staff and authorized university organizations.

Fleet Services Rentals

Electric & Hybrid Fleet

The university fleet includes sixteen 100% electric vehicles, five gas-electric hybrid cars, and one plug-in Chevy Volt with a charging station at Harbourt Hall. 

Crooked River Commute

The Crooked River Commute, started in 2013 is the first kayaking trek along the Cuyahoga River from Kent State University's main campus to Kent State's Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative intended to promote the river as a shared regional asset for education, recreation, and sustainability.

Learn more about the Crooked River Commute

 

 

Zero Emission Vehicle

The Zero Emission Vehicle, or ZEV, is the first golf cart to be powered by three sources: a fuel cell, a solar panel, and batteries. ZEV’s design includes additional features; the research team plans on impacting the student body in a loud way- with the help of an audio system that will allow them to stream portable music around campus.

Learn More about the Z.E.V.