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.
Staff and students can hire a Brompton Bike from the Brompton Dock at Bristol Temple Meads or Bristol Parkway at a reduced rate. Frequent Use annual membership can be purchased for £1 (reduced from £20), and this then unlocks daily hire for just £5 per day, irrespective of how many, or how few, hires are then made. Membership allows access to all 41 Brompton Docks in the UK. To take advantage of this offer please set up your Brompton account with your University of Bristol email address and use the promotional code BRISUNI. If you have any queries or issues please email transport-plan@bristol.ac.uk.
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, The Bristol Bike Project, and The Bike Workshop.
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 private training sessions with an instructor. These sessions are usually absolutely FREE.
Try a smart phone app, pick up a free paper map or booklet or see routes that other University staff and students have tried and tested.
Most university buildings have Sheffield hoops or double stacker cycle parking at the front access, and some buldings have cycle parking to the rear or to the side of the building.
Cycle Parking Available on the Clifton Campus- July 2022 (PDF, 2,505kB)
For information for satellite sites and halls of residence contact your building’s Facilities Manager to find your nearest locked cycle parking (staff only) and shower facilities.
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.
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.
Showers are available in several of the University's buildings. A list of showers, their location and who may use them is below. Please note this list does not include University Residential buildings.
Shower list updated July 2020:
List of University Showers excluding Residences (PDF, 634kB)
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 University bike lock and light sale. Locks and lights can also via the The Basket online shop with the physical shop open for click and collect Thursdays, 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 at Royal Fort Lodge. 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:
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 Yammer 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.
