BU Enforces Minimum Walking Speed Limit on Commonwealth

Article by: Claire H | Photo by: Grace W

COMM AVE – Despite the slippery sidewalks and unavoidable slush puddles, Boston University recently enforced a minimum walking speed limit to combat congestion along Commonwealth Avenue amid the rise of CGS students. Pedestrians are no longer allowed to walk slower than 3.5 miles per hour. Failure to abide by this guideline may result in consequences such as paying fines up to $10,000, only eating in Warren dining for the rest of the semester, and being forced to attend an Ed Sheeran concert. 

Many students are pleased with the university’s decision to address the long-standing issue of pedestrian traffic on campus. Spee Dwalker (ENG ‘28) expressed, “On Wednesdays, I have a class in CAS followed by one in the Kenmore Classroom Building 15 minutes later—and I actually made it on time with 30 seconds to spare. It was so beautiful I almost cried.” The university reports an 80% decrease in tardiness to class after the recent policy change.

Though most students are grateful for BU’s initiative in addressing the pedestrian traffic issue, some are angry. Sellow Alker (CGS ‘29) complained, “I can’t help that I walk slowly, take up the whole sidewalk, and stop randomly to stare at my phone. And why do I have to go to that Ed Sheeran concert in September?”

Dill Lee Dallie (CGS ‘29) expressed his frustration with the new rule, asserting, “We as students cannot let this injustice continue. That’s why I founded Slow Walkers at BU (SWAB), a student organization dedicated to protecting our right to exist in public spaces at our own pace. We will not let the university suppress our identities any longer!” It is important to note that the entire E-board of SWAB is composed of CGS freshmen, and over 90% of its members are also CGS students.

The speed limit not only applies to students but also to anyone else walking on Boston University property. Admissions Ambassadors leading tours around campus were informed to let prospective students know that if they struggle to keep up with the group, then a college without a minimum walking speed limit may be a better fit.

Daw Dell (COM ‘27), an Admissions Ambassador who was accidentally walking under the speed limit while leading a tour group, reports that she must now attend the Ed Sheeran concert in September along with everyone in her tour group. “I was so confused when a campus police officer handed me a ticket to see Ed Sheeran. Apparently, he’s coming to TD Garden in September,” Dell explained. “This feels like a cruel and unusual punishment.

As of now, campus police are stationed at traffic-heavy intersections, including under Warren Towers, near the BU Bridge, and outside of CAS. BU hopes to use the money raised from fining slow-walking pedestrians to buy speed cameras with facial recognition. Administrators estimate that by the Fall of 2027, the school will have at least 20 speed cameras stationed around campus. 

BU hopes that enforcing the speed limit policy will eliminate sidewalk congestion by next fall, though acknowledges that September 25th and 26th may see a temporary spike in slow-walking violations as students attempt to delay their inevitable trip to Ed Sheeran’s concert.