Do you travel between Whitstable and Canterbury for work? How about swapping the car for a bicycle and trying out this beautiful traffic-free cycle route. The path is around 7.5 miles and suitable for most types of bikes. Visit explorekent.org for more information on the Crab & Winkle Way.
Runner up for the KUDOS Award, the Wheel Potential project provides adapted cycling along the Great Stour Way between Canterbury and Chartham (three miles away).
A shipping container has been sited at the start of this flat, off-road route, containing tricycles, tandem trikes, a semi-recumbent trike, a hand-cycle, wheelchair transporter, recumbent trike, tandem and four ordinary mountain bikes. Groups of people with disabilities can join the scheme for an annual fee, and can then book and borrow bikes using an online system.
Wheel Potential is a Community Interest Company founded by three directors in early 2016 with the aim to provide an open-air cycling experience for less-able adults in the Canterbury district, using a safe environment and adapted cycling machines.
The directors are able-bodied, long-term cyclists who were well aware of the joy of spinning along a country lane in the wind and the sun, and of the health and happiness benefits imparted by cycling. But what of those adults who, by virtue of learning or physical disabilities, are unable to ride safely unaccompanied, on-road, or on an orthodox bicycle? There was no facility for such people in Canterbury District, and so the idea to establish one was born.
The project has an occupational therapy purpose at its heart and aims to address health needs for people with life-limiting illness. There are a variety of partners including Occupational Therapy, Canterbury City Council, Parkinson’s UK and British Cycling.
Users are able to exercise in fresh air and with the company of others. They become more physically active, and in the case of Parkinson’s patients maintain their mobility and flexibility for longer. They learn about the maintenance and cleaning of machines and have the opportunity to try different cycles, progressing as they become more confident.
‘Dr Bike’ are experienced mechanics who carry out bicycle maintenance, repairs, adjustments and safety checks.
Dr Bike carry out checks and adjustments for free. If you require more substantial work, there is a charge but this is at a reduced rate for University of Kent staff and students. They can now take card payments as well as cash.
Dr Bike is on Canterbury campus every Wednesday between 08.30-15.00 at the Cycle Hub near the Sports Pavilion (Term-time only.)
Dr Bike visits the Medway campus on certain dates throughout the academic year and is located in front of the Rochester building between 11:30 and 14:30 on these days. Please check our website or Twitter page for upcoming dates.
This is a service provided by the Estates department.
No matter where that sentence ends, we can guarantee that we’ve probably heard it before. In fact, we think we could probably write a book about reasons not to share (it wouldn’t be on any bestseller lists, though).
And do you know what? We understand.
We understand that sharing isn’t always practical or even the best solution for you, every day of the week. That’s why Liftshare is designed to be as flexible as you need it to be.
You don’t have to car share every day to make a difference! Even based on sharing just once a week, you’d be surprised how much the benefits add up over time; we’re talking financial savings, as well as reducing your carbon footprint and decreasing congestion and parking pressures. Plus you might make great new connections through giving it a go!
Here are a few of the most common barriers to sharing we hear, and some handy solutions to help you think outside the box…
I can’t Liftshare because… I have small children’
The school run can require its own extensive events management team to pull off each morning, we can understand that adding sharing into the mix can be daunting. Here are some options:
I can’t Liftshare because… I go to [insert activity here] straight from work
We know you’re all busy living your lives outside work, and sharing your journey might not always be your highest priority, and that’s ok. However, sharing is still possible! How about:
I can’t Liftshare because… I work part time/from home a lot/flexible hours
This is where the flexibility of the Liftshare system comes into its own! Read on:
This Liftshare Week, all we ask is that you give sharing a try. No commitment, no strings attached.
Your Chance To Win £250!
We are so certain that there’s someone for everyone to share with, no matter your circumstances, that are putting our money where our mouth is.
Between the dates of 25th September – 15th October anyone who uses Liftshare to send a message or a share request to another member will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win £250, to spend however you like. It’s that simple.
And to say ‘thanks for sharing’, those of you already in a Liftshare team will be automatically entered, too.
Get involved now at https://liftshare.com/uk/community/unishare
Liftshare week takes place nationwide each October to celebrate the social, financial and environmental benefits of car-sharing. This year, the dates are 2nd-8th October, and here at the University of Kent we want to encourage all of you who are already sharing, as well as giving those of you that haven’t tried it yet the opportunity to give Liftshare a go!
We are certain that there’s someone for everyone to share with, so we’re offering a great incentive for everyone who tries out Liftshare over the course of Liftshare Week.
Between the dates of 25th September – 15th October anyone who visits https://liftshare.com/uk/community/unishare to get in touch with another member via a message or a share request will be entered into a prize draw to win £250. It’s that simple. And to say ‘thanks for sharing’, those of you already in a Liftshare team will be automatically entered, too.
This offer applies to all of our members, whether you have been using the scheme for a while, or if you are completely new!
If you haven’t yet joined Liftshare you can do so now absolutely free! Visit https://liftshare.com/uk/community/unishare and follow the instructions to register and add your journey details. Then search for a match, get in touch and get sharing!
You don’t have to Liftshare every day, even sharing once a week with someone makes a big difference. You’d be surprised how much the benefits add up over time; we’re talking financial savings (drivers can make back up to 100% of their fuel costs by sharing), as well as reducing your carbon footprint and decreasing congestion and parking pressures. Plus you might make some great new connections!
You can read the Ts and Cs of the competition over at the Liftshare website.
Today is your last day to buy the Stagecoach UniRider ticket at the discounted rate of £175. After today it will go up to £250 so make sure you buy today to get the best price!
The Unirider academic year bus ticket allows students to travel all across Kent and East Sussex, day and night. You can buy it online through the Stagecoach website.
Here are some great places you could spend that student loan or just spend a chilled day looking round the shops.
To start with, your Student Saver bus pass can take you around Chatham, so you can easily get to:
which has some interesting has some to mill around, the Cadbury’s outlet shop is an absolute must for chocolate lovers out there! It also has some pretty decent shops for your University needs such as Denby if you are still in need for cutlery, plates and other kitchen/dining essentials and the Range for any stationary needs.
in Chatham too if you haven’t been yet has some of your classic high street stores such as Boots, Foot Locker, JD Sports and more.
Our academic discounted bus passes aren’t just for use in only Chatham, they’re valid for our whole south east region so we’ve taken the liberty to find some great places around Kent you can get to with your pass to do a bit of shopping:
has most shops you could really want, with Topshop/Topman, River Island, Footasylum, Fred Perry, H&M, JD Sports, Missguided, New Look, The North Face and loads more!
Simply get on the Arriva Sapphire 700 bus which features eco-leather seats, USB charging points and free wi-fi!
has some pretty cool stores such as JD, select and New Look as well as places to eat like Friendly Phil’s Diner, Nando’s and Subway. The 132 bus will take you there.
in Maidstone is home to all your high street essentially such as Topshop/Topman, H&M, Office, New Look/New Look Men and River Island to name but a few. You could also grab a few bits in Maidstone’s shopping centre The Mall, too! Hop on the Arriva Sapphire 101 bus for Maidstone.
Whether you’re into casual drinks or clubbing into the early hours there’s no need to fret as Arriva have you covered. Our specially discounted bus pass for the academic year not only takes you from your accommodation into University but is also valid throughout our whole South East region too. We’ve done our research (thank us later!) and found the best routes for you to enjoy the nightlife that Kent has to offer you.
boasts a cracking weekend nightlife, with clubs such as:
There are also great pubs and bars if you don’t fancy the club.
The last bus home from Maidstone back to Chatham is at 23:10 on a Friday and 00:10 on Saturday night. Anyone looking to stay out all night the first bus back on a Saturday morning is as 06:46 from Maidstone East Train station, with Source bar open until 5am.
has some cool clubs too, such as:
What’s more, Rochester has a selection of clubs like:
The last bus back to Chatham from Rochester is 23:13 from Star Hill.
Take the Arriva Sapphire 700 bus to Bluewater where there are some really great places you can go to eat and if you have an NUS card there are these exclusive discounts you can get, though we recommend verifying this discount with the restaurant before ordering!
Jump on the Arriva Sapphire 101 – Chatham to Maidstone bus to Maidstone and discover great places to grab a bite to eat with some places such as:
The bus will take you into Gillingham where there are some cool places to grab some food with pals such as
Tunbridge Wells has a wealth of restuarants to try, including Wagamama. Catch the 7 – Maidstone to Tunbridge Wells bus.
Hop on the 155 – Chatham to Aylesford bus where you’ll find Nando’s amongst other independent restaurants.
The University of Kent unirider is valid on all Stagecoach buses in Kent and East Sussex, not just the bus you need to get to Uni. That means you can use it for days out too. Whether you fancy a bit of shopping, a day at the coast or a bit of local history – if there’s a Stagecoach bus there then you can use your unirider!
Here’s just a few ideas of some journeys you could make with your unirider…
To buy or use a University of Kent unirider ticket, you’ll need a valid university student ID card. The student number on your university ID card must match the student number on your ticket. You are required to present your student ID card to the driver each time you use your unirider.
The majority of bus services in and around Canterbury are operated by Stagecoach Ltd bus company.
The Unirider academic year bus ticket allows students to travel all across Kent and East Sussex, day and night. The ticket costs £175 and is available to purchase now from the green Unibus parked on campus outside the Gulbenkian theatre, or online through the Stagecoach website.
Why we recommend the Unirider academic year bus ticket:
Make sure you purchase from the bus or online before the 2 October to get the discounted price. After 2 October the price increases to £250.
Visit www.kent.ac.uk/transport/discounts for more information.
Transport Team
01227 82 3609 transport@kent.ac.uk @unikent_travel www.kent.ac.uk/transport
Security and Transport Centre, University of Kent, Park Wood Road, Canterbury, CT2 7NN
Transport Updates: @unikent_travel Transport News Blog