Tag: cycling

We’re officially a Cycle Friendly Employer!

The Cycle Friendly Employer scheme, run by Cycling UK, is a framework for employers to promote and enable cycling at their workplace. Earlier this year we have achieved the Gold Award!

Following an audit at the end of last year, we are delighted to announce that the University of Salford received the Gold Award! The judges were impressed with our university’s commitment to improving the facilities for cycling, increasing the number of available parking spaces from 362 to 500, and further to nearly 2,000 over the next decade.

Participation in the scheme supports our actions to encourage the shift to more sustainable travel by students and staff, as set out in our Sustainable Travel Plan. 

The criteria is based across 6 categories: Communication and Incentives; Coordination and Organisation; Service; Facilities; Parking management; and Customer Traffic. We have achieved Gold in all of these areas.

Feedback and scores from the judges will help us set ambitious targets and further improve our cycling facilities and encourage sustainable travel. The next steps will involve work around car parking and provision of additional cycling facilities, such as cycle maintenance stations across campus.

Read more about Sustainable Travel at the University of Salford here.

Active Travel at Salford and in Greater Manchester

Cycling at Salford

  • If you’re interested in cycling, join our Cycle User Group on Teams to stay up to date with all our cycling-related news and incentives!
  • If you’d like to hire a bike, the recently launched Transport for Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Cycle Hire scheme is available on all of our campuses – read more here.
  • We’ve also got an internal E-Bike Hire Scheme for staff, which we run in partnership with Manchester Bike Hire. It gives you a chance to hire an electric bike for 4 weeks for free to try it out on your commutes. You can read more and sign up here.

Ride It Out! with Enactus Salford

Enactus Salford are leading a project called Ride It Out! which will include weekly rides around Salford to encourage people to cycle as part of a group, whilst also teaching them about bike safety and maintenance. The routes are designed for beginners. Each ride will also include a café stop. You can bring your own bike, but they will also be offering FREE bicycle hire for those getting involved.

The next session, will take place tomorrow, 5th of March at 11am. Email Olivia Morris for more info or to sign up: rideitoutliv@gmail.com 

Active Travel in Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester have an Active Travel hub, where you can…

  • Get a personalised map of all the walking and cycling routes, green spaces and upcoming improvements
  • Find cycling tips on things like maintenance, security, commuting, as well as buying a cycle. You can also book free cycling training, and hire or buy a cycle.
  • Learn about the benefits of walking and how to make it a habit, and join your local walking group.
  • Read about the Bee Network –  integrated transport system which will connect buses, trams, rail as well as cycling and walking.

For longer journeys, here you can find more information about travelling by bus, tram or train in Greater Manchester.

Follow us on social media to stay up to date about active travel at the University of Salford:

Cycle to Work scheme, Bike Doctor & future improvement plans

Cycle to WorkThe University’s Cycle to Work Scheme will open for applications from next Tuesday, April 1, providing employees with an opportunity to save money on the purchase of a new bike.

As part of our commitment to encouraging and facilitating sustainable methods of travel, the scheme provides colleagues with the use of a bike and safety equipment.  The cost is then paid over a twelve-month period.

There’s a further financial incentive to take part, as the scheme is an approved salary-sacrifice initiative, meaning there are significant tax and National Insurance savings available. Many colleagues have joined the scheme since it was first introduced in September 2011.  The closing date for applications is Thursday, 17 April 2014.

To find out more about the Cycle to Work Scheme and how to take part, visit the cycling pages.

Bike Doctor on campus

Bike doctor poster 140401For colleagues whose bike could do with a bit of care to keep it on the road, there will be a free bike doctor session next Tuesday, April 1, from 12noon until 2pm, at the MyCycle shop in Horlock Court.

The bike doctor will perform a quick safety check of your bike and let you know of any other maintenance it may need.

 

 

 

 

Future cycling improvements

Further improvements to cycle storage and complimentary facilities are currently being planned. These include:

  • A secure cycle storage facility at Mary Seacole
  • A secure cycle storage facility at the Sports Centre
  • Full refurbishment of male and female showers at Maxwell Hall

These works will take place over the summer.

Bike maintenance workshop a wheel success

DSC00115On Tuesday February 11, University students and staff took place in a free bicycle maintenance workshop as part of Go Green Week 2014.

Cycle mechanics from the National Cycling Academy in Whitefield came onto campus to pass on invaluable skills and techniques for keeping a bicycle in good shape. Puncture repair and chain maintenance were a couple of the key skills demonstrated by the mechanics as part of basic roadside repair.

Charlie Spring described how enjoyable and useful the session was: “It was a great way to meet colleagues and turn good intentions into useable skills. A general groan arose when we realised we’d have to broach our fear of taking off the back wheel, but Alex was very encouraging and we all ended up with dirty hands and confidence in our skills to defy punctures, select the right kind of lube and, crucially, get that back wheel off and on (and facing the right way!). I can’t wait for the next one!”

DSC00125The session took place at the Students Union MyCycle Shop in Horlock Court, with some of the demonstration bikes being kindly provided by MyCycle from their fleet of hire bikes. MyCycle hire out bikes on a weekly, monthly or termly basis, for more information, click here.

Future maintenance sessions are planned with the attendees wishing to tackle more advanced skills involved in maintaining and adjusting brakes and gears.

The session was funded as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) and organised through the TfGM Cycling Team. As well as the maintenance training, the team provide a range of cycle training, from ‘learn to ride’ sessions through to one-to-one on road sessions. For full information, go here www.tfgm.com/cycling

For more information on cycling at the University click here

New Secure Cycle Facilities Installed

Clifford Whitworth cycle facility
Clifford Whitworth cycle facility

Two 40-space secure cycle facilities have been installed at Cockcroft and Clifford Whitworth buildings.

The facilities are the latest part of the University’s Travel Plan strategy, which is aimed at encouraging and facilitating sustainable travel.

Andy Binder, Travel & Transport Officer, Environment & Sustainability, said: “Access control on the shelters is now in place. Anybody who wants access to them should go to Maxwell Reception, where their ID cards will be activated to allow entry.”

The access control will be activated from Tuesday, 7 May.

The back gate to Maxwell Well is also being secured to provide additional security to the 48-space cycle shelter that was installed there earlier this year. All access to the Well – for pedestrians and cyclists – must then be gained from the front entrance ramp.

The University Bicycle User Group also met on Thursday to discuss future cycling improvements on campus to support existing users but also to facilitate those who want to cycle more in the future.

For more information on the Bicycle User Group, cycling to the University and other travel and transport information, please go to www.estates.salford.ac.uk/page/travel or get in touch Andy Binder directly.

#gogreensalford get involved!

Find out how to travel, study, work, eat and live with less impact on the environment, save money on bills and help the local community at #gogreensalford

#gogreensalford, beginning Monday 11th February will see a variety of events and activities around the University campuses to show how individuals can take small steps to reduce their impact on the environment and benefit themselves while contributing to tackling global issues such as climate change.

On Monday 11th Feb staff and students can get involved with the Incredible Edible University launch and get tips on growing your own as well as information on having a vegetable box delivered to University from Wholebox.

On Tuesday 12th Feb a free breakfast will be available for cyclists in University House as well as a wealth of travel information and free bike maintenance.

On Wednesday 13th Feb you can bring a garment along to our free Sew Good Workshop where you will be helped to remake it into a gorgeous and unique piece you’ll love again. Participants learn their way around a sewing machine, and are initiated into some of the remaking secrets of TRAID’s recycled fashion label TRAIDremade which uses old clothes and textiles that would other be thrown away to create beautiful ethical fashion.

Please check out the schedule for further events The #gogreensalford schedule

#gogreensalford is incorporating Go Green Week, Student Volunteering Week, Student Money Week, Student Employability Week, Fairtrade Fortnight and Climate Week.

The month is being coordinated by the University Environment & Sustainability Team with support from colleagues in Estates & Property Services, StudentLife and the Students’ Union.

Students or staff wanting to organise their own events as part of #gogreensalford can contact the Environment and Sustainability Team via eps-sustainability@salford.ac.uk

For more information on other Environment and Sustainability projects, please see our website at www.estates.salford.ac.uk/environment

New cycle storage facility at Maxwell

Salford-20121207-00089

A new 48-space cycle storage facility has recently been installed in Maxwell Well to provide additional cycle storage for the Maxwell Building.

The facility, which can be used by employees and students, provides covered cycle parking with easy access to Maxwell Building and Hall and the Gilbert Rooms.  It is located near to male and female shower and changing areas in the back of Maxwell Hall, for those who wish to use them.  The shower areas have also been identified for renovation, when funding is available, to increase their attractiveness and provide more locker capacity.

Over the next few months, further cycle storage is set to be installed on the Peel campus, with two 40-space fully-covered and secure facilities being installed near to the Clifford Whitworth Building and outside Cockcroft Building, which will also serve Newton building users.

A former shower room in Crescent House basement is to be reinstated to provide a unisex shower facility for those on the south side of the A6.  For a map of current cycling infrastructure at the University, click here.

University Security are also working to reduce bicycle theft on campus and are offering recommended locks and other safety and security products at subsidised prices.  For more information call ext 55368 or go to Maxwell reception.

Travel & Transport Officer Andy Binder is working closely with the Bicycle User Group (BUG) and its chair, Jeremy Ford, to look at where improvements can be made across the University to support the growth in cycling.

He said: “These latest measures that are being introduced are all part of the University’s Travel Plan strategy, aimed at increasing the attractiveness and feasibility of using sustainable modes of travel.”

The Bicycle User Group meets once a semester to look at ways to make improvements that support cycling to and around the University.  For more information on BUG or to become a member please email eps-sustainability@salford.ac.uk.

Explore your travel options for 2012/13

As the start of the new academic year draws nearer, many colleagues and students will be interested in planning how they are going to travel to the University over the next 12 months.

To assist colleagues in planning their travel to the University, special information pages have been created for both staff and students to help plan their journey to the University during 2012/13.  The pages provide information and links on public transport, cycling, car sharing and car park permit registration.

They also offer advice and information for employees who are travelling into Salford. They include anything from how to save money with an annual season ticket to getting a bike through the Cycle to Work scheme.  There are also details on the University’s car sharing database, public transport options and how to obtain an annual parking permit.

Staff click here

Students click here

Free bike check-up on campus for Bike Week 2012

This weekend marks the beginning of Bike Week 2012, a national event to encourage everyday cycling, and the University is celebrating with a number of cycling related activities on Friday, 15 June.

A Bike Doctor will be located outside Maxwell building from 7.30am to 9.30am to perform free bike check-ups, make minor repairs and give advice on general maintenance and repairs. This is a great opportunity to make sure your bike is fully operational or to dig out an old bike and make it roadworthy again.

Evans Cycles will be in Maxwell Foyer between 12 and 2pm to advise on the savings you can make through the University’s Cycle to Work Scheme and to find out about the types of bikes available.  A qualified cycle training instructor will also be available to provide information about cycle training opportunities for all levels and you can register your interest for a free cycle training session later in the summer.

Applications for the latest Cycle to Work Scheme window can be submitted until 22 June. To apply for the Scheme, or for more information, please visit http://www.estates.salford.ac.uk/page/cycle_to_work

Cycle to Work Scheme is back for the summer!

Due to popular demand and to coincide with national Bike Week 2012, a short summer application window for the University’s Cycle to Work Scheme will be open from Monday 11 June to Friday 22 June.

As part of our commitment to encourage sustainable methods of travel, the scheme provides staff with the use of a bike and safety equipment. There is also a financial incentive as the initiative is an HM Revenue and Customs-approved salary sacrifice scheme, meaning there are significant tax and National Insurance savings available.

 

Many staff have already taken advantage of the scheme and are keen to share the benefits.

Speaking of the Cycle to Work benefits Mark Shepherd, Programme Director from the School of the Built Environment, said: “I bought a bike through the Scheme last October and it was a quick, painless process where I was able to get a really comfortable, convenient new bike. In fact, I have enjoyed cycling to work so much I have cancelled my car park permit altogether and have not brought the car since”.

To find out more about the Scheme and how to take part visit the sustainable travel cycling pages.

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact Andy Binder, Travel & Transport Officer, on 55323 or email a.binder@salford.ac.uk.

The University is ready for the active travel challenge!

University colleagues are invited to take part in two active travel initiatives from next week – Walk to Work Week and the Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge.

Walk to Work Week takes place from 14 – 18 May and is about more than just walking as a means of travelling in to work.

 

 

 

 

Andy Binder, University Travel & Transport Officer, said: “If you can’t walk all of part of your journey to work you can still get involved by taking lunchtime walks, ‘walking meetings’ or uploading photos from your walks.

“You could top the University’s leader board, or help Salford compete against other organisations across the country to see who walks the most. All colleagues who take part will be entered into a prize draw to win a treatment of your choice at the Health Hub in the Sports Centre.”

If cycling is more your style, then the Greater Manchester Cycle Challenge takes place from 14 May to 5 June  – a chance for University colleagues to get on their bikes and have some fun competing against other workplaces within Greater Manchester.

 

 

 

The competition is based on participation and not how far or fast you can cycle.

Andy added: “The aim is for as many colleagues as possible to ride a bike for at least 10 minutes between Monday 14 May and Tuesday 5 June 2012 to reach the top of the leader board, claim victory and be in with a chance of winning some great prizes.”

For information and registration for the cycle challenge, please visit www.tfgmcyclechallenge.org.uk/home and join colleagues from across the University who have already signed up.

To be part of the University’s walking effort visit http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-with-us/events/walk-to-work-week to register. There you can join our workplace group ‘University of Salford’ and record your walks online during the 14–18 May.