Cycling

The university provides secure cycle parking across the campus and residences.  A map of cycling facilities including showers can be accessed here thanks to our very own Bike User Group (BUG). 

There is an ongoing programme to increase and improve the range of cycle parking and shower facilities available on campus including installing covered shelters

We have 21 bike lockers around campus available to hire at £4 per calendar month. If you are interested in hiring a locker please e-mail Lorraine Donaghey who will advise re availability.

Secure cycle parking is also available within a compound by the front entrance of the Munrow Sports Centre, access is via a pin protected gate. To register to use this facility please visit the Munrow Sports Centre reception and present your ID card.  The Munrow Sports Centre also provides FREE use of its shower and changing facilities.

The University takes crime prevention seriously on campus and we have our own dedicated police offer on campus.  Crime is generally low on campus however securing your bicycle is your responsibilty.  We recommend you use a strong D-Lock to secure your bicycle at all times and avoid using a cable lock. Cable locks can be cut through easily by bike thieves and the vast majority of bike theft on campus is due to poor quality locks.

For a quick guide on how to lock your bike properly we recommend watching this video.

Purchasing D Locks

To help keep your bike safe the university offers two options for buying discounted D Locks:  you can either buy from the Security Reception to the rear of Aston Webb building for £17 or get 1/3 off a Kryptonite lock from Urban Cycles who are located outside Staff House.

The Urban Cycles pod is located outside Staff House and is open from 7:30am to 6pm every weekday.  They offer a FREE 52 point check of your bikes in addition to a range of servicing packages, parts and accessories for sale as well as being a Cycle Scheme supplier and providing bikes.  

If your bike is in need of some attention or you just need some advice then call in, Ros or Andi will be happy to help.

http://www.urbancycles.org.uk/

Cycling is a great way to get around when studying at the University of Birmingham.  If you do not have your own bike you can hire one from us for £62 for the academic year.  We provide good quality, reliable hybrid bikes which are perfect for getting around town and making use of the nearby canal.

The Scheme will be operated by Urban Cycles from their pod in Staff House Square.

If you are interested in hiring a bike please contact the Sustainable Travel Coordinator.

We recently secured 5 brand new Raleigh bikes from the Birmingham Cycle Revolution team to act as loan bikes for staff on campus.  These bikes will be available for staff to borrow on short to medium term loans for FREE.

If you have thought about trying cycling to work but don't want to splash out on a bike then why not loan one of ours to give it a try?  

Live too far away to cycle but would like to go out on your lunch along the canal?

If the answer to either of these questions is yes or you just want more info please contact the Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator for more information.

The University has a very active Bicycle Users Group called BUBUG (Birmingham University Bicycle Users Group).

BUBUG was formed in 1996 and since then they have been involved in lots of activities, worked constructively to promote cycling and provide a wide range of extremely helpful and supportive information on cycling.

The University operates a cycle salary sacrifice scheme that enables staff to buy a new bike via a salary sacrifice.  The scheme is operated via an external provider called Cyclescheme.  Bikes can be purchased via local shops (inlcuding Urban Cycles on campus) or online retailers, just check via the Cyclescheme website.  You can also buy accessories such as helmets, locks and lights via the scheme.

The University of Birmingham is ideally located to be accessed by bike.  The Edgbaston campus is located on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal with access at University Station and The Vale.  The canal towpath has recently been resurfaced making it perfect for cycling. The canal runs directly in to Brindley Place in the heart of the city centre and can be reached in around 20 minutes.

The university is also located not far from National Cycle Network Route 5 which runs from Kings Norton in the South of the city in to the city centre via the scenic Rea Valley Route.  In addition to this the pavement along the A38 Bristol Road is designated as shared use so wherever you see this sign you are able to cycle on the road rather than the often busy road if you prefer.

If you would like a free copy of the Birmingham Cycling and Walking map please contact the Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator Peter Edwards.

The Birmingham Cycle Revolution is a project aiming to increase the number of people cycling in Birmingham. The first stage of this project is now complete and has led to almost all of the canal surfaces within Birmingham being resurfaced to make them more attractive for walking and cycling.  Check out the BCR canal video to see the impact of these improvements for commuters and leisure users of the canals.

The Birmingham Cycle Revolution is supported by the Big Birmingham Bikes scheme which provides led rides, cycle training and a whole host of other activities for Birmingham residents.  Check out their most up to date programme of events.

Staff at the University of Birmingham are eligible to claim cycle mileage when they use their own bike for work business at a rate of 20p per mile.  More information here.

Brake care

This tutorial will teach you how to diagnose brake problems, and how to mount a service a calliper brake.

Chain care

Included in this tutorial is how to lubricate your chain, measure chain wear, put a new chain on your bike and how to connect and break a chain

Check and true a wheel

This tutorial will teach you how to check the truth of a rim on your wheel, and how to straighten a bent wheel.

Fix a puncture

This tutorial will teach you how to remove the tyre, check for the source of a puncture, patch an inner tube and inflate the tyre on your bike.

Lubricate a bike

This tutorial will teach you how to lubricate the chain, the moving parts, and the cables on your bike.

Fit a brake cable

This tutorial will teach you how to fit a brake cable on your bike. .