By Bike       Public Transportation       On Foot                     Carpool

Commuting By Bike

Bike Trails

The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway is a paved path that runs nineteen miles along the Hocking River through Athens, past the edges of Chauncey and The Plains, through part of Wayne National Forest, to Nelsonville.  When traveling on the path in Athens City, a cyclist can access all of the stores on East State Street.  Eclipse Mining Town in The Plains and the Historic Square Arts District in Nelsonville are also right off the bikepath.

The more ambitious cyclist may want to save on rent by living in Nelsonville, The Plains, or Chauncey and cycle to school or work each day in Athens City.  The path has four restrooms at miles 0, 1, 4, and 10.  Four drinking fountains are along the first portion of the path at miles 0, 1, 3 and 4. 

Bike Maps

If your commute to work, school, or elsewhere is not along the bikeway, Cycle Path Bicycle Shop offers a free, printable bicycle commuter map for Athens.  The map is color-coded so the commuter knows which roads have the least automobile traffic.

The Southeast Ohio Bicycle Map contains four maps showing road conditions and routes for Athens and surrounding counties, with inset details for Athens, the Plains, Logan, and Nelsonville. Printed on environmentally friendly Yupo, the SE Ohio Bicycle Map is completely waterproof, tear-proof, and will inspire years of rides through the region. Special regionally-inspired cover art by reknowned Athens artist Sandy Plunkett. Published by the Ohio University Cartographic Center in collaboration with the Athens Bicycle Club.

Copies of the map can be purchased for $10 per set at Athens Bicycle and the Village Bakery & Cafe, by e-mailing the Athens Bicycle Club, or by ordering online from CyclePath.

Bike Repairs & Gear

If you need bike repairs, parts, clothing, rental, or are looking to purchase a bike, there are three bicycle shops located in Athens:Cycle Path Bicycle Shop, The Pedaler & The Packer, and Athens Bicycle. You can also contact the Athens Bicycle Co-op to learn to fix or build your own bike.

Students should register their bikes with the Ohio University Police Department (593-1911) and store them either in bike storerooms (located on New South) or at bike racks located outside of some academic buildings and dormitories.

Bike Groups

The Athens City Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Group brings community members, students and officials together to address safety issues for walkers and bikers. They are working to enhance biking opportunities in town. The additional bike lanes on North Congress, Richland, and Court are a result of their hard work. They typically meet at 11am on the first Monday of every month at City Hall.

If you are looking for an opportunity to participate in group rides, join the Athens Bicycle Club. This group has built trails in both Lake Hope State Park and Stroud’s Run State Park and holds several bike tours throughout the year including the annual Tour of the Hocking road tour every Memorial Day weekend. E-mail info@athensbicycleclub.org for more information.

There are also a number of student organizations to join including the cycling team and mountain bike club, as well as two groups comprised of both students and community members: Athens Bike Co-Op and Critical Mass.

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Public Transportation
Athens Airport Express
Athens Airport Shuttle
Athens Transit
CATCAB
CATS
Lakefront Lines

Athens Airport Express

Athens Airport Express offers transportation service to and from Athens and Port Columbus International Airport. Hours of operation are 6 am- 10 pm, seven days a week. Please call for rates. Accepting Master Card, Visa and cash. Call 740-590-4686

Athens Airport Shuttle

Athens Airport Shuttle offers daily service to and from Athens and Port Columbus International Airport by reservation. Please call for up-to-date rates. They accept Visa, MC, Amex, Discover or cash. Call 740-592-0490 or toll-free 1-877-796-1002.

Athens Transit

The Athens Transit runs several bus routes that community members, and students can take advantage of. The East State St. route begins at the Up-Town stop, located near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Court Street, and takes riders down East State Street to the Super 8 motel. The Plains and West Side Loop also picks up riders at the Up-Town stop and travels through the West side of town to the Plains Library. Riders who want to travel down Richland Avenue can take the Richland Avenue and South Side route. For other destinations like Andover Court Apartments, or C & E hardware, riders can take the South Side of the City Route. Fairs to ride within city limits are only one dollar for adults and 50 cents for children. Children under six are free. Call (740)592-2727 for more information.

CATCAB

CATCAB, which stands for Campus Area Transportation Cutting Across Boundaries, is designed to serve people with temporary or permanent disabilities that make walking across campus difficult. People with wheelchairs, crutches or walking devices, and those who have health problems that prevent walking long distances are encouraged to use this service. CATCAB will transport from off-campus to on-campus, on-campus to on-campus and on-campus to off-campus locations within their designated service area.

CATS

The Campus Area Transit System, or CATS, is a FREE bus for University students, faculty, staff and visitors throughout campus. No pass or ID is needed to ride. Just look for the many bus stop signs around campus and hop on a CATS shuttle.

The CATS service runs two different bus loops.  The West Union Loop provides service from the Biochemistry area of West State Street to main campus to Mill Street Apartments and then to East Green. Highlighted areas along this route include: Athens Garden Apartments, Life Sciences/Stocker, Baker University Center, Jefferson Hall, and Mill Street Apartments.  Alternatively, the Ridges Loop provides service from main campus to South Green to The Ridges. Highlighted areas along this route include: The Ridges, Convocation Center, Peden Stadium, Oasis, Baker University Center, and Multiple South Green Stops.

Lakefront Lines

Lakefront Lines Inc., a Cleveland-based bussing service, stops at the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., daily, with buses going to and from Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Lancaster, Logan and Nelsonville, Ohio. In Columbus, you can transfer to another Lakefront bus or connect with Greyhound for further destinations.

Buses travel everyday, including holidays. Check the schedule online at their "Regular Route Service" page. Purchase tickets at the Athens Community Center or over the phone at 1-800-331-5009. Schedules are subject to change without notice so make sure you call or check the Web site before traveling.

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Commuting On Foot

Katherine Ziff shares the benefits of walking in her piece "Walking to Work."

Information about hiking trails is available on the Green Space page.

Looking for a new apartment and want to find out the neighborhood's "walkability" rating ? Check out the website WalkScore.com to determine the distance to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, libraries, coffee shops, and more.

Carpool

The Sustainable Living Organization (SLO) carpools to the Athens Farmers Market on Saturdays. Email sustlivorg@gmail.com for information about meeting time and location.

Any member of Ohio University (students, staff, or faculty) may use the Ride Board to make carpooling arrangements. Users may offer or request shared rides both to and from the University, or from the University to an outside destination. Learn more at the OU Ride Board website.

Additionally, if you are a university employee interested in carpooling to work, contact Human Resources for the names and phone numbers of other employees who live in your area. Their phone number is (740) 566-6847.

Students, and university employees can also add the application "Zimride" to their facebook account and search for rides within the OHIO network.

Two additional websites for carpooling include Rideshare Ohio and eRideShare.

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