As the days get shorter and darker, it’s important to stay safe while getting to, from and around campus. Whether you're taking the bus, walking or cycling, we’ve put together some practical tips to help you stay visible, alert and confident on your journeys.
Buses
Getting home safely after a late night just got easier thanks to the new Morebus Night Routes — N1, N2, and N5 — running seven nights a week across Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch. The N5 serves Talbot Campus, Winton, and nearby student areas, making it the go-to route for many students, while the N1 and N2 mirror the daytime M1 and M2 routes, connecting key parts of town.
With live tracking on the Morebus app, CCTV on every bus and at around 250 shelters monitored by police control, and trained drivers ready to help if you feel unsafe, the night bus is a smart, secure choice. You can even text “BCP” + your message to 81018 to report any non-urgent issues directly to the BCP Council CSAS team. Whether you’re heading home from a late study session, work, or a night out, the night bus keeps you connected and safe — every night of the week. Find out more.
Walking
If you're walking to and from campus in the darker hours please choose well-lit main routes. Try to plan your journey and let someone know your destination and expected arrival time. Avoid wearing headphones and being on your phone so you can hear what's happening around you and stay alert.
Make sure you have appropriate clothing and equipment for the changing weather including waterproof clothing and an umbrella. You can use your BU ID card or Totum card to access discounts at a number of local retailers including Cotswold Outdoors, Go Outdoors and Halfords. There will also be some high visibility active travel items available to purchase at the SUBU shop.
Cycling
If you're travelling to and from campus it's best to check the weather each day to ensure the route can be taken safely. But autumn and winter doesn’t mean you have to stop cycling, you just need to make sure you are prepared and your bike is in good condition.
Clothing and equipment
Being seen when cycling in the dark is really important, so make sure you have working lights to the front and rear of your bike and wear high visibility clothing or back pack covers so you can be seen by drivers, pedestrians and other cyclists.
There are also a range of cycling shops in the area where additional safety equipment can be purchased for you and your bike. Check out the SUBU discount pages for more information and visit the SUBU shop on campus for active travel items.
Bike servicing
Making sure your bike is in top shape is also really important at this time of year. Our Bike Doctor visits both Lansdowne and Talbot Campus regularly – find out when they’re here.
Don’t have a bike?
If you would like to cycle but don’t have your own bike, there’s a couple of options available; please take a look at the information on the BU by Bike Scheme and Beryl bikes and scooters.
More information
See the full BU Travel Plan for how we aim to support sustainable travel at BU and in the wider community.
