It is our ambition to be the most cycle-friendly campus in the UK and to achieve this aim, staff have the opportunity to benefit from a wide range of cycling initiatives, incentives and facilities to make your cycling experience as easy and pleasant as possible. Check out our Active Travel campus map.
Cycle to work scheme
Cycle to work is a government initiative that was introduced in 2001 to encourage more people to commute to and from work by bike, enabling people to make healthier choices and reducing the UK’s carbon footprint. The University’s Cycle to Work Scheme provides staff with the opportunity to purchase electric bikes, mobility bikes, higher-quality bikes and safety equipment for up to £2500, with tax and National Insurance savings. These savings are achieved via salary sacrifice which lets staff spread the cost over 12 months to make payments more convenient.
Cycle2Work is supported by a wide range of specialist bike dealers, catering to everyone regardless of their needs, budget, location or journey to work. Dealerships include Halfords, Cycle Republic, Tredz and independent bike shops. Staff can also benefit from regular discount offers at Halfords, Tredz or Cycle Republic your bikes and accessories.
Simply choose your bike, complete the online hire agreement and take your Letter of Collection to your chosen store or use the voucher online and exchange it for the bike and safety equipment of your choice.
Merseytravel cycle discount scheme
For those staff who wish to purchase a bicycle without going through the cycle to work scheme, the University can get a discount at several independent cycle stores through its membership of Merseytravel’s Employers Networks.
University employees can take advantage of the cycle discount provided by numerous cycle providers, on the production of your staff ID and quoting the Merseytravel Employers’ Network scheme. Find out the participating providers here.
Hiring bicycles and electric bikes in Liverpool
- Liverpool Guild of Students - students can hire a bike from the Liverpool Guild of Students for the whole year at a very reasonable price. The scheme is run by Peloton and the bikes that you can hire are very good quality. Prices start from as little as £110 per year. All bikes are serviced regularly by trained mechanics and come with a very sturdy D-lock for extra security, book a bike now!
- Fat Llama - this is a great website where you can hire bikes from local people in Liverpool rather than from a specific company, you'll find a good selection of both e-bikes and bicycles on here. Prices can vary quite a bit but don't expect to pay more than £50 per day for hire
- Voi - you'll mostly see electric scooters from Voi dotted around the city, but you can also hire e-bikes from Voi in certain locations. You pay around £1 to unlock the vehicle, then between £0.14 to £0.20 per minute, so it's very reasonable
- Bikes and Boards - there aren't too many bike shops in Liverpool city centre but there are some great places to hire from in the Wirral area. You can hire both e-bikes and bicycles from Bikes and Boards, with prices for an e-bike starting from just £65 per day. If you hire a bike for a few days while you're staying in Liverpool then it gives you plenty of time to explore the city on 2 wheels
Information supplied by You Well.
Guided bike rides
Take a tour between campus and Greenbank Halls on two wheels and see our city from a whole new perspective. Get tips from biking experts Peloton on the greenest way to get around and the much-needed cycling shortcuts to never be late for those early morning seminars. Check out the Guild website for Give it a Go sessions to find out about our upcoming bike rides.
Cycle routes
Both Liverpool City Council, and Liverpool City Region are supportive of the University’s ambition to become a cycle-friendly campus and are keen to work together to ensure that our staff and students have safe access to their home and key routes into, and around, the main campus. Both authorities are actively engaged in improving access for cyclists, with Liverpool City Council due to install over 1.2km of segregated cycle lanes as part of the Liverpool Connectivity Scheme. Discover the network of cycle tracks and quiet streets that provide enjoyable cycle routes whether for commuting or for leisure.
Cycle storage
Cycle storage is currently provided across campus in the form of Sheffield stands, on all major thoroughfares and adjacent to most buildings, and several secure cycle pods spread across campus. They are currently located: (or see the Active Travel campus map)
- Sydney Jones Library / Management School
- Rendall Building
- Harold Cohen Library / Electrical Engineering
- BioSciences / Ronald Ross Building
- Life Sciences Building
For access to the secure cycle pods, University staff cards need to be registered by Campus Support Administration Team, on the Ground floor of Bedford House. Once this is done the card will then allow you to swipe access into the pod. In order to access the cycle compounds, email vpa@liverpool.ac.uk for an application form.
Cycle security
Due to its city centre location bicycle theft is a risk, so when bringing a bicycle onto campus it is recommended to always lock it even if it is only being left for a few minutes. Campus Support recommends that when locking your bicycle, a D-shaped lock (preferably with a shackle lock) is used. If you do not already have one, they can be purchased for the cost price at the Student Guild shop.
There is the option to register bicycles on the National Cycle Database, Bike Register. Campus Support is happy to register your bike and are available at our regular cycle events held on campus throughout the year. To schedule an appointment, call the Campus Support Administration team on 0151 794 3215 or email the Campus Support Managers Campus.support.managers@liverpool.ac.uk
Cycle maintenance (Bikiosk)
Has your flat tyre left you feeling deflated? Are squeaky brakes getting on your nerves? The University with Peloton Liverpool are here to help. Bikiosk is available for all your repair and service needs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-4pm during term time. Whether you need a new part, a small repair, or a full M.O.T, Peloton Liverpool, a local social enterprise aiming to deliver a better cycling experience in Liverpool, will be on hand to get your bike back on the road with unbeatable prices. Peloton is available for free cycle maintenance at our regular cycle events held on campus throughout the year. To ensure safe distancing you will need to book an appointment in advance by calling the Peloton team on 07380 111226.
Cycle training
For those who do not feel confident cycling on the region's roads, Bike Right has set up a number of free one-to-one and group cycle skills lessons for adults who live, work or study in the Liverpool City Region. Courses are designed to improve confidence levels and include basic cycle skills, urban cycle skills and advanced cycle skills. The courses last for two hours.
Shower and changing facilities
The University has a number of gender-neutral or unisex toilets, showers and changing rooms on campus. See a list of shower and changing facilities on-campus. There are shower facilities located in the Sports and Fitness Centre and you will need to sign in at reception before use, you don’t need a membership. For more options see the .
Cycle promotions and events
The Sustainability team in collaboration with the Green Guild and Campus Support holds regular events on campus for cyclists. Staff and students who cycle to campus can benefit from free bike maintenance, bike registration and a free biker’s breakfast. Check out the events page or follow us on twitter for information on our upcoming events.
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