The University organises regular Cycle Clinics and bike security marking sessions. These are FREE to all University of Bristol students and staff. Students can buy high quality D-lock bike locks, and front and rear light sets, at special discounted prices. Staff can buy the locks and lights for wholesale prices. Other promotional events such as cycle accessory giveaways are held on an occasional basis. Please visit our Cycle Events webpage for further information.
Free adult individual cycle training is available to everyone living, working or studying in Bristol, Bath, Somerset and South Gloucestershire.
Better By Bike, (an arm of Travelwest of which Bristol City Council is a partner), runs a free 'Borrow a bike scheme' for anyone living, working, or studying in Bristol or North Somerset. There are also various places in Bristol from where you can hire a bike.
You can hire a Brompton Bike from the Brompton Dock at Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway. There is no membership fee meaning that it is free for anyone to sign up on the mobile app. Additionally, the service functions on a pay-as-you-go basis at the rate of £5.00 per 24 hours. This means that no matter who you are everyone pays the same hire rate of £5.00.
The Better by Bike website is a useful resource for those buying a bike, with advice on how to choose your bike, and a list of all bike repair shops and specialists in and around Bristol. University of Bristol staff and students are entitled to a discount at some of these shops.
Several bikes shops sell reconditioned bikes including Lifecycle UK and The Bristol Bike Project.
Staff can save money and spread the cost of a new bike and cycling accessories through the University’s Cycle to Work scheme.
The Bristol Family Cycling Centre - Hengrove provides cycling activities for all, regardless of age, ability or access needs, and has a variety of bikes available to suit all ability needs.
If you are new to cycling, or just want to improve your skills and boost your confidence, Better By Bike (an arm of Travelwest of which Bristol City Council is a partner) offer cycle training sessions with an instructor. These sessions are usually absolutely FREE.
Students and staff can access a map showing University cycle parking, cycle repair stations and showers (and directions) via the Visit University of Bristol app. Download from Google Play or the App Store. More information for staff.
Locked cycle sheds are currently for staff use only with the exception of The Richmond Building, 1- 5 Whiteladies Rd and University Campus Cycle Hub (MVB car park) locked facilities - there can be accessed using your student Ucard (you don't need to request access). For more information including how to access the facilities please see the Cycle Parking document above.
The University has a rolling cycle parking installation programme for all types of cycle parking (short stay hoops, sheltered and locked).
If you have suggestions of where new cycle parking could be installed, let us know.
Bicycles should not be parked where they could create a hazard or danger. The University has a policy for inappropriately parked bicycles which allows us to remove them without warning.
With the exception of cycle parking at halls of residences, University of Bristol cycle parking facilities are for daily use only. The University has a policy for bicycles suspected of being abandoned which allows us to remove bikes that appear to have been static in cycle parking facilities for a period of time.
It is important to use a good lock, park in an area with good natural surveillance, and don’t leave your bike parked for long periods of time. It is your responsibility to make sure your bicycle is locked securely and all personal possessions are removed even if you are using a locked facility. We strongly recommend that you make sure you insure your bicycle.
Buy a D-lock (substantial student discount) from Security Services at Royal Fort Lodge opening hours which are Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16:00 (Card payments only are accepted), or at one of our occasional Bristol SU shop bike lock and light sale. Locks and lights can also via the The Bristol SU shop with the physical shop open Monday to Friday 10am - 4pm. The University also holds adhoc cycle lock and light sales which will be advertised on cycle events programme, through the University's Cycle mailing list as well as other channels.
Get your bicycle security marked at one of our regular cycle security marking events or on request from the University Police Officer at Royal Fort Lodge. Please email the University Police Officer to arrange a mutually convenient time. More advice and information on bicycle security is available on our bike security page.
Take advantage of the regular Cycle Clinic sessions (free bike tune up) held by the University every two weeks. Staff and students can also take advantage of one of Cycle Repair stations (with pumps) located:
Advice on fixing and maintaining your bike is available on our bicycle maintenance page.
Staff who cycle their own bicycle in the course of their work can claim a cycle mileage rate of 20p per mile.
Keep up to date with cycling events and initiatives by joining the University Bike User Group (TUB-BUG) mailing list, this is open to all staff and students. You will be able to inform the University’s cycle strategies and policies. Staff can also join the Viva Engage Cycling group.
The University of Bristol Cycling Club (UOBCC) is a thriving student-run community offering members regular term-time road and mountain bike rides of various speeds and distances into the countryside around Bristol, as well as longer trips throughout the year across the UK and abroad.
Lifecycle and The Bristol Bike Project accept bicycles in reasonable condition.
