With the arrival of autumn, the return to university is looming. Library sessions, pumpkin spiced lattes, cosy coats… sound fun?
And even though the weather is cooling, cycling is still the top way to get around your university campus. With so many excellent benefits, cycling is a cheap, healthy and social way to get to your lectures on time.
The benefits of cycling to campus
Whether you commute from home or your new accommodation, getting to your lecture hall can take a while. With delayed trains, traffic and closed roads, you’re often lucky to make it on time!
Speedy
That’s why cycling is often the best way to get to uni. With the proper safety precautions, it’s very unlikely that your journey will get interrupted by other commuters.
Economical
Riding your bike also works out to be much cheaper than driving or catching public transport. With proper maintenance, your bike is bound to last you for years and you can save your bank account from constant fuel top ups.
Plus, our Halfords Limited Lifetime Cycle Guarantee offers a free replacement of the frame and rigid forks of all Halfords and Halfords exclusive brands for the original owner. Likewise, for any of our own brand bikes, you enjoy a lifetime warranty to cover any manufacturing errors.
Sustainable
Cycling is also the eco-friendly way to travel. You can cycle proud that you’re reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to cleaner air.
Healthy
Additionally, regular bike riding offers amazing health benefits including, cardiovascular strength – that’s lung and heart health, stamina and fitness. Cycling and leading an active lifestyle can tone your lower body, benefit your posture and balance, and even prevent future diseases like type 2 diabetes.
Exercising doesn’t just lead to physical benefits, it’s also incredible at boosting mental health. Moving to university can be really hard as it may be your first time living away from your family and friends, it’s rainy outside and sometimes you wake up as the sun’s starting to set. This can really impact new and returning students, which is why it’s vital to prioritise your mental health.
Cycling to university is a great way to sneak some exercise into your new routine. Riding your bike releases endorphins, which are mood-boosting hormones, reducing anxiety and stress. The rhythmic and focused nature of cycling is an additional bonus as it provides screen-free time to practice mindfulness.
Mental performance
Finally, cycling may even benefit your academic performance! With increased blood flow to the brain, enjoy improved focus and concentration when you arrive to your lecture.
Social cyclists
Due to its many benefits, students around the country have developed a love of cycling. One of the best ways to make new friends as a university student is by joining one of the many societies offered. Typically, set up and maintained by students, societies are hugely varied groups where like-minded people come together and socialise for fun. Societies can be traditional e.g. the rugby society, or they can be as unique as a cheese-making society!
Nevertheless, it’s almost certain that your university will offer a cycling society. Or if they don’t, why not start one?
Joining the bike riding society will introduce you to new people, new routes and encourage regular exercise. You could even become involved in competitions, races, and ‘socials’ (or nights out) to further integrate into university life.
Cycle routes
Here, we’ll explore some safe and interesting routes around campuses throughout the UK. Although only a select few are featured, every campus is sure to have some cycle routes that you can find online or through societies or your student body.
Aberystwyth
A seaside town in Ceredigion, Wales, Aberystwyth is an excellent location for walking and cycling. Of course, cycling to university is a great way to get some exercise in but why not push yourself to explore outside of school? The Rheidol cycleway is a great path that features scenic views as you travel 27km from Aberystwyth harbour, through the Rheidol Valley to finish at Devil’s Bridge. With quiet cycle paths and hidden lanes, this path is signposted so that you don’t get lost!
Birmingham
Complete with a cycle commuting map, Birmingham universities offer great, low-traffic cycle routes, despite their highly-urban settings. Reconnect with nature as you pedal along the Worcester and Birmingham canal, which runs through Bournville, Selly Oak, Kings Norton and along the outskirts of the University of Birmingham campus.
Or take a shopping break, and cycle along the A38 Blue Route from the University’s South Gate to Birmingham city centre. Segregated from the busy traffic and with controlled lights, enjoy safe cycling through the heart of Birmingham. Explore more Birmingham cycle routes here.
Plymouth
Down south in Devon and Cornwall, Plymouth offers stunning coastal views and woodland hotspots for cyclists. Starting in the Plym Valley Trail, the Plymbridge Woods trail features a marvellous oak woodland, open countryside, and leads the cyclist past dramatic industrial remains. You can even catch nesting wild peregrines, if you time the season right. At a relaxing 16km long, this is just one of the many cycle routes that Plymouth has to offer its student cyclists.
Nottingham
If you’re currently or about to start as a student in Nottingham, be it The University of Nottingham or Nottingham Trent, there are plenty of cycling options for you. One of our favourites is the Trent Lock loop. Around 30 miles long, this is mostly a paved route, ideal for commuters and students of all skill levels. You’ll cycle past the lovely Nottingham Local Nature Reserve, Grange Woods and Attenborough Nature Reserve. What’s not to love?
Edinburgh
Up in Scotland for university? If you’re going to Edinburgh, you’re in luck! With so many lovely cycling routes throughout this historic city, you’re bound to find one perfect for you.
Holyrood Park is roughly 1 mile east of Edinburgh Castle, and offers awe-inspiring hills, lochs, ridges and glens within its wild highlands. Relatively flat, you can complete the Holyrood circuit, no matter your fitness level. It’ll take you around 1-2 hours and offers views of the city as well as Arthur’s Seat – the highest point and an extinct volcano from 350 million years ago!
Belfast
If you’re more of a wild mountain biker, take a quick trip to Barnett Demesne in south Belfast, home to the only official dirt jump park in Ireland. The 3.5km green trail runs alongside the River Lagan, an ideal option for beginner cyclists. Alternatively, the 3.9km blue trail comes complete with technical features and red loop options, a great challenge for experienced riders. Even if you cycle to commute, you can still enjoy a gentle woodlands ride while widening your bike-riding horizons!
Safety
To truly appreciate cycling, it’s important to be safe – particularly during icy, dark mornings and evenings. Apps like Strava are great for recording your progress and routes while others like Life360 offer safety features like live tracking so that your friends can keep an eye on your solo journeys.
Never cycle after a couple of drinks down the pub! Although it seems safer than driving and cheaper than a taxi, it’s dangerous and actually illegal. We’d also advise, especially if you’re moving to a new city or country, to familiarise yourself with local traffic rules, like designated bike lanes. You can often register your bike with your university/ accommodation to increase the chance of recovering it if it’s ever stolen.
At Halfords, we offer top-notch bike accessories that prioritise safety, comfort and performance. Make sure that you have the right kit, whether you’re planning on commuting or exploring. It’s always vital to be safe and look out for yourself.
Our essential cycling pack is a great place to start (and a great gift,) if you’re thinking of commuting to university. Complete with a 12mm steel lock, a dual-headed pump and a front & rear LED set, you’ll be ready to pedal with confidence.
Bike accessories
Essential bike accessories all focus on safety for the rider. Ensure you’re properly kitted out, by starting with a high-quality and robust bike helmet. We offer an excellent range at a variety of prices, many of which offer adjustable sizing, lightweight constructions, and sweat wicking padding. If you need a little extra help, explore our bike helmet buyer’s guide for expert advice.
If you’re cycling to commute, it’s most likely that you’ll be spending the majority of your journeys in darkness. We offer a wide range of high-visibility cycle clothing, that keeps you visible and protects your clothes from puddle splashes and rain. Pick between fluorescent yellow, blue, silver and even pink! Or, if you feel the need for something a little more subtle, we offer reflective bike stickers, trouser clips, and ‘slap wrap’ wrist clips.
It’s also important to maintain the security of your bike, particularly if you’re moving to and storing your bike in a city, which are typically high-risk areas. We offer a variety of bike locks for protection at a range of affordable prices and security levels.
With so many benefits, why wouldn’t you choose to cycle? Improve your fitness, maintain your mental health and make new friends all through bike riding. Plus with Halfords, whether you’re buying a new bike or just a hi-vis vest, the entire process feels effortless.
