Tag Archives: Travel

Autumn and Winter Cycling Tips! 

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Cycling is a great way to get active, travel sustainably, and save money on transport costs. While commuting by bike is more popular in the summer months, riding through autumn and winter can be just as enjoyable (with the right preparation)!  

Here are our top tips to help you stay warm, visible, and confident on your winter commute! 

  1. Prepare your bike 

A well-maintained bike is essential during the colder, wetter months.  

  • Attend a Dr Bike session to ensure it is road safe​. Find out about our upcoming Dr Bike dates here. 
  • Invest in winter tyres that are wider and puncture resistant ​if you can 
  • Add mud guards to your bike if possible​, they help to protect you and your bike from dirty water and dirt build up on your bike. 
  • Keep your bike clean to maintain a good condition level 
  1. Staying visible  

Winter commuting often means riding in the dark. Make sure you are visible on the roads. 

  • Add plenty of lights to your bike, and make sure they meet the legal requirements. Check out Cycling UK’s guide to cycle light regulations that provides detailed  guidance. 
  • Wear reflective and bright clothing to increase your visibility to other road users.  

Did you know colleagues can buy reflective clothing and bike lights under the University Cycle to Work scheme? 

  • Consider your road positioning and whether it needs to change in low lighting. To learn more, read the Cycle Scheme ‘Road Positioning for cyclists’ page. 
  1. Keep warm and dry! 
  • Invest in some warm and waterproof layers and a bag to keep you and your belongings dry on your commute​.  
  • Cycling UK recommend thermal gloves and socks, cycling glasses and a buff to keep your head warm under your helmet.  

Did you know colleagues can purchase cycling and safety equipment and via the Cyclescheme?​ 

  1. Plan Ahead 
  • Check the weather forecast before heading out on a long ride 
  • Plan your route in advance and test it out in daylight to build confidence 
  • Consider sharing your location with a close friend or family member when you leave and let them know when you have arrived at home or campus 
  • Stay alert to risks and be aware of the noises around you. 
  1. Secure Your Bike 
  • Only secure your bike to purpose-designed Sheffield stands, racks or bike parking systems 
  • Ideally use at least one ‘Sold Secure’ certified bicycle lock of at least bronze standard​ 
  • Double lock your bike where possible using two locks (one at the front and one at the back) 

Thank you for reading, happy cycling and stay safe this winter!

Email us at sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk to join the universities Bicycle Users Group on Microsoft Teams! 

Cycle to Work Day 2025: Everything You Need to Get Involved

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This Thursday, 7th August, is Cycle to Work Day, a national campaign founded by Cycling UK to encourage as many people as possible to commute by bike. Whether you are a regular rider or are considering cycling to work for the first time, it is a perfect opportunity to start! This blog outlines the benefits of cycling, Newcastle University’s support for cyclists, and relevant resources and events. 

Benefits of Cycling

Cycling to work offers a wide range of benefits that impact health, finances, and the environment:  

  • Improved physical and mental health 
  • Cost savings on commuting 
  • Reduced carbon footprint 
  • Avoidance of traffic congestion with more predictable travel times 
  • Increased productivity and energy during the workday 
  • An enjoyable and active commute 

For a more detailed overview of these advantages, see Cycling UK’s article: Six reasons you should cycle to work. 

Newcastle University Facilities for Cyclists 

The University supports active travel by providing secure bike storage, showers, and changing facilities to encourage cycling among staff and students. Information on these facilities are available on our cycling page. 

Additional resources such as tips on bike storage, cleaning, and repairs are available in our Bike Maintenance Blog. 

Staff and students can join the Bicycle Users Group (BUG) on Teams for updates and advice by emailing sustainable-campus@newcastle.ac.uk with the subject line “Join BUG.” We currently have over 460 members on the Teams channel!

The University also participates in the government-backed Cycle to Work Scheme, which enables staff to purchase bikes and safety equipment through salary sacrifice, resulting in significant cost savings. Check out an in-depth description and some handy resources about the scheme on the People Services website. 

External Resources and Events 

Beyond the University, there are excellent local opportunities to support and encourage cycling. Free confidence sessions are available through The Big Bike Revival, designed to help cyclists of all skill levels build road confidence and improve their skills. These sessions are open to anyone aged 18 and over. See below for dates, or see the website: The Big Bike Revival. 

For those looking to plan their cycling routes, Cycling UK offers a handy Journey Planner tool, which helps identify the safest and most efficient paths for commuting by bike: Cycling UK Journey Planner. 

Dr Bike: Free Bike Maintenance Sessions 

Dr Bike is a free bike maintenance service offered in collaboration with WATBike. These sessions provide minor repairs and comprehensive bike health checks (MOTs) to ensure bicycles are safe and ready for the road. 

Since September 2024, a total of 25 Dr Bike sessions have been held across six different campus locations, with 424 bikes serviced so far. Additionally, two Bike Weeks have been organised alongside WATBike to promote cycling and bike maintenance awareness across the University community. 

To coincide with Cycle to Work Day, a special Dr Bike session will take place at the Medical School. This session is open to all staff and students, but we recommend arriving early to secure a slot!

DateLocationTimeWhat3Words
Thursday 7th AugustMedical School Reception Entrance10:00 am – 15:00 pmcount.rally.olive

Tips for New Cyclists 

If you’re considering starting your cycling journey, here are some essential tips to ensure safety and security: 

  1. Always wear a helmet  
  1. Obey traffic lights and road signals  
  1. Don’t ride on the pavement unless a sign says you can  
  1. Use lights and reflectors so you are clearly visible  
  1. Don’t use headphones or a mobile while cycling  
  1. Remove lights and accessories from your bicycle when it is parked 
  1. Always securely lock your bicycle with at least one ‘Sold Secure’ certified cycle lock and only use purpose-designed Sheffield stands or racks  
  1. Don’t leave your bicycle on campus overnight 
  1. If possible, arrange adequate insurance to cover any theft or damage to your bicycle 
  1. Join BUG to see if colleagues have any other helpful information for you or can supply information about recommended cycle routes 

We hope this blog has given you some useful insights and inspired you to consider cycling as part of your daily routine. Happy Cycle to Work Day! 

Bike Maintenance: Handy tips to keep your wheels on the road 

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We’ve all been there – the sun’s shining, you’ve got your cycling clothes on, water bottle filled, ready to hit the road…only to discover an issue with your bike. Whether it’s a flat tyre, faulty brakes, or grinding gears, we’ve teamed up with our friends at WATBike to share some simple maintenance tips that’ll keep your bike in a roadworthy condition. 

1. Bike storage 

Where you store your bike matters. Storing your bike in a safe place is not only important for security reasons, but it can also help keep your bike in good condition. Leaving a bike outside for extended periods (such as in a garden/backyard over winter) will expose your bike to the elements which, over time, will cause the parts to corrode and eventually lead to failure of the gears, brakes etc. 

Tips for smart storage:

2. Tyres

Your tyres are a critical component of your bike’s performance and safety. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure and regularly checking their condition is vital!

Tyre care tips:

  • Check tyre pressure regularly, ensuring the PSI is at the required level (these can be found on the tyre wall).  Ensuring the correct pressure helps to prevent punctures. 
  • Keep a small hand pump with you to ensure you can always pump your tyres. Or you can use the University cycle repair stand near Hatton Gallery (location shown in our map). This stand is equipped with allen keys, screwdrivers, spanners, adjustable fit bike pump and a tyre iron.
  • Inspect your tyres for cracks or holes – replace tyres if they’re showing serious wear.

3. Bike Cleaning

Regular bike cleaning will prevent rust and corrosion, helping your bike parts last longer and be more effective.

Cleaning checklist:

  • Use a hose (light pressure!) to rinse off loose dirt.
  • Scrub with bike-friendly brushes, especially around the chain and cassette (gears). It is also important to keep the braking surface of your wheels clean and dry.   
  • Check out this 5-minute bike wash tutorial on YouTube, or if a deeper clean is needed, this 30-minute bike wash tutorial.

4. Chain Care

One of the easiest and most effective maintenance tasks: lubricating your chain. It ensures a smoother ride with less clunking when changing gears and extends your bike chains lifespan. There are two main types of chain lubricant; wet and dry, and it depends on the type of riding you do and the time of year as to which lubricant you should use.  

Choosing the right chain lube:

Dry lube: Best for people who mainly ride on roads. It’s thinner and won’t pick up as much dust in the summer.

Wet lube: Designed for wet, muddy conditions. It is thicker than dry lube, which helps it repel water and keep your chain lubricated. 

If you’re not sure which to use, ask at a local bike shop, or at our regular Dr Bike sessions.

5. Loose parts 

If something on your bike feels loose (especially pedals) – don’t ride it! Bring it to a Dr Bike session or bike repair shop straight away. A quick tweak when a problem first arises can save big mechanical issues in the future if you leave it unresolved.

Maintenance at Dr Bike

If you require more help with bike maintenance, our regular Dr Bike sessions on campus are a great place to start. Whether it’s a quick fix or a maintenance question, expert advice is always on hand.  WATBike are here every two weeks throughout the year and are happy to help.

We’re also excited to announce Bike Week, taking place at The Boiler House from Monday 12th to Wednesday 14th May, in partnership with WATBike and supported by Cycling UK.

During Bike Week, Bike technicians will be available on campus from 10:00-14:00 each day to provide more detailed support on how to maintain your bike, with guidance and advice from the team at WATBike. There will also be a sale of lovingly refurbished bikes across a range of styles and sizes across the event. Buying second hand is not only great for your wallet, but also for the planet!

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