Encouraging staff and student cycling at the University of Exeter
Travelling by Bicycle
General
Exeter is a cycle friendly city with a range of traffic-free cycle routes which enable easy cycle commuting to the campuses, and provide fantastic leisure cycling opportunities for the weekend:
- Exeter city cycle map
- Exe Estuary Trail cycle map
- Devon interactive cycle map
The University actively promotes cycling as a healthy travel option for journeys to, from and between the campuses. Why not plan your journey on the web or using a smart phone app.
To encourage our staff and students to cycle we offer a range of cycling incentives - see the tabs below for further details.
Cycle parking
The University provides a range of cycle parking facilities across the Exeter campuses. To find your nearest cycle parking facility, use the campus map. Please make sure you always use designated cycle parking facilities and follow our cycle parking policy. Cycles deemed to be parked inappropriately, or which have been abandoned, will be dealt with via our abandoned cycles procedure.
Showers
There are a range of shower and changing facilities available for use by staff and students. A full list of available facilities are listed here and can also be viewed on the sustainability campus map.
Cycle mileage
The University will reimburse the costs of necessary business travel. This is defined as travel from one workplace to another on University business, enabling staff to perform their work duties. Staff who use their own bicycle for business travel can claim a cycle mileage rate of 20p per mile.
Agreement should be obtained from your line manager/cost code budget holder before any such travel is undertaken or claim submitted. Details of how to claim agreed cycle mileage can be found here.
What is the cycle to work scheme?
The cycle to work scheme offers employees the opportunity to purchase a brand new bike and accessories from a range of participating local stores, save income tax and national insurance on the cost of the bike, and spread this cost over a 12 month period.
How does it work?
1. Choose a bike and safety accessories from a participating cycle store and obtain a quote;
2. Go to the University's Cycle to work scheme website and request a letter of collection;
3. When you have received your Letter of Collection, take it to your chosen cycle store in exchange for a bike and accessories;
4. Payments will be made via salary exchange and deducted from your gross monthly salary;
5. The scheme will run for 12 months and the first deduction from salary will be made on the first available pay date after your application has been approved by HR.
For full details on how to apply, please see the Cycle to Work how to apply document.
Further information
For further details on the scheme, take a look at the cycle to work scheme website. If you have any queries, please contact the Pay and Benefits team.
Unicycle is the University’s Bicycle User Group (BUG) with membership open to all University staff and students. You will typically receive a monthly email newsletter with details of bike-related opportunities, developments and initiatives relevant to the University. It will also include details of upcoming sustainability events on the Exeter campuses; where services such as free bike safety checks and free bike security marking are offered. Other benefits of being part of the Unicycle group via this mailing list are listed below.
Benefits of membership:
- Priority booking for Dr Bike;
- Learn about upcoming cycle events;
- Find out about cycling incentives, such as Cyclescheme and bike discounts;
- Advice on cycling at the University, and throughout Devon and Cornwall;
- Take part in discussions about the needs of University cyclists.
Join now!
If you would like to join the Unicycle mailing list and are happy to receive these emails, please use the subscribe now link below to sign up.
Subscribe now
All data we hold will be stored and processed in compliance with both the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link that will feature in any future emails you receive, or by contacting sustainability@exeter.ac.uk.
Dr Bike
Take advantage of free Dr Bike safety check-ups held by a trained cycle mechanic from local bike shop Saddles & Paddles.
What is Dr Bike?
During the free safety check up, the mechanic will run through your bike, returning and adjusting brakes and gears where necessary and will make recommendations for any further work needed. Where time allows, minor work like replacing brake pads or cables can be completed, for discounted parts-only cost.
Should any further work be necessary, University staff and students get a discount on servicing at Saddles & Paddles, based on Exeter Quay.
How to book?
To book your free 15-minute safety check up, join Unicycle.
To see the latest Dr Bike schedule, visit our events page.
Safe cycling
Be visible - buy a set of LED cycle lights (£8) from the Car Parking team at St Luke's between 10am-2pm Monday to Friday.
Be secure - buy a D lock (£15) from the Car Parking team at St Luke's between 10am-2pm Monday to Friday.; and use the locked cycle facilities at Streatham (Sports Park, The Forum, Nash Grove) and St Luke's (Club Alley and College House). Contact Estate Patrol for access codes.
Be safe - obey the law and learn how to ride a bike safely.
Be registered - attend one of our Safety and Security events to register your bike on the free national Bike Register database.
Devon County Council’s Road Safety Scheme has approached the University to see whether staff who cycle to work are interested in borrowing a cycle camera. They have both helmet and handlebar mounted versions. The cameras can be lent for up to a year or longer if needed. It is part of their attempts to improve safety on the roads, gather evidence and improve police response rates to incidents. You need to fill in this Bike Camera form and send it back to Matthew McDonald at the Road Safety Help Desk Email:roadsafetyhelpdesk-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Cycle confidence skills and training
Devon County Council provide free two hour cycle confidence sessions for adults who live, work or study in Devon. Training is provided by a fully Qualified National Standard Cycle Instructor. Whether getting on a bike for the first time or tackling a particularly tricky section of a journey, the training is tailor-made to your needs!
Student cycle tagging
Hall residents must have their cycle registered and tagged. Registration may prevent impoundment, and aids in the recovery of lost or stolen bicycles.
| Tagging point | Residence |
|---|---|
| St David's Office | St David's and Bonhay House |
| Birks Grange Central Reception | Cook and Llewellyn Mews, Kind Edward Court, Birks Grange and Moberly |
| Lopes Reception | Lopes Hall, Pennsylvania Court, Lafrowda Cottage and Ransom Pickard |
| Holland Hall Reception | Holland Hall, Mardon Hall, Nash Grove, Clydesdale Rise and Clydesdale Court |
Useful contacts
- Ride On Cycling - local charity, Ride On, provde a range of tips and resources on their webpages; in their 'Fix it at home' and 'Bring your own bike' sections.
- Bike Ride Repair Guide(link is external) - A useful free guide on how to repair and look after your bike
Cycle hire
If you would like to hire a bike, or if you would like to purchase a low cost second hand one, there are a range of options available.
Saddles & Paddles
Hire a bike from local cycle store Saddles & Paddles on Exeter Quay and receive a 10% discount on cycle hire. To take advantage of this offer, show your University ID card.
Second hand cycles
Purchase a low-cost pre-loved bike from a range of local cycle charities:
