Tag Archives: cycling

Keeping your bicycle safe on campus

Campus Security have made us aware that there has been an increase in bicycle thefts on Canterbury campus recently. Most of the bicycles that were taken were left unlocked outside of cycle shelters. We wanted to offer some tips on how to keep your bicycle safe around campus.

1. Always use a lock

Remember to always lock your bicycle up when leaving it, even if only for a few minutes. Use a D or U-lock, rather than a cable lock as these are harder to cut through. Try and choose a lock that Sold Secure (a not-for-profit company administered by the Master Locksmiths Association) has rated gold standard. University of Kent staff and students are offered a 10% discount at The Bike Warehouse in Medway and Cycles UK in Canterbury, so a decent lock just got cheaper!

It is important to lock your bike properly. Lock it through the frame to a bike stand in one of our shelters. When using a U-lock, lock it down around the bottom bracket or seat tube, as it is harder for thieves to get to it. Fill the lock with as much of the bicycle as possible. See the below poster for ideas on the best way to lock your bicycle safely.

2. Use a lockable cycle shelter

When you are leaving your bicycle on campus, we ask that you always secure it in a cycle shelter. There are 66 cycle shelters and racks over both Canterbury and Medway campuses. For extra protection, please use one of our lockable cycle shelter.

See our numbered cycle shelter map to find where your nearest cycle shelter is located.

How to gain access to Canterbury lockable cycle shelters

For all the Turing cycle shelters, visit the Turing reception with your Kent Once card to be given access.
For all other lockable cycle shelters come to the Security and Transport Centre with your Kent One card to gain access.

How to gain access to Medway lockable cycle shelters

For access to the lockable cycle shelters at Medway, email MedwayCardAccess@kent.ac.uk with your name, staff or student number, and number on the back of your Kent One card.

3. Register your bicycle

It is always a good idea to register your bicycle with Immobilise. In the event that your bicycle ever was stolen, having your bicycle registers means that Police are able to identify owners of recovered goods, and it can simplify the process of insurance claims. Immobilise is free to use and takes just minutes to set up, so what are you waiting for- register your bicycle now!

4. Report any thefts

If the worst happens and your bicycle is stolen, it is important to report the theft. You can do this by ringing the Police’s non-emergency number, 101, and making a report. If your bicycle is taken on campus, please also report it to Campus Security on 01227 823300 or come in to the Security and Transport Centre.

Dr Bike: bicycle servicing for staff and students

As part of the University’s Green Travel Plans and the developing University’s Masterplan Framework, the Transport Team are always trying to find ways to encourage sustainable travel. To encourage cycling we provide many initiatives across our campuses; including cycle hire, free bicycle health checks, and discounted bicycle repair works to staff and students.

Dr Bike health checks:

We work in partnership with Dr Bike, at Bycycle, to provide free bicycle health checks. Dr Bike is a trained bicycle mechanic, who offers free cycle health checks including adjustments and advice on repairs. Major repair work and parts are available and will always be charged at a reduced rate for staff and students

Medway campus:

The service is available to all University of Kent and University of Greenwich students and staff.

When and where is Dr Bike at Medway:

Dr Bike travels to the Medway campus once a month during term time between 12:30 and 15:30. His dates for the 2019/2020 academic year are:

Monday 18th November 2019

Thursday 23rd January 2020

Thursday 20th February 2020

Thursday 19th March 2020

Thursday 21st May 2020

Find Dr Bike outside the Deep End Student Hub on the Pembroke Campus.

Canterbury campus:

The service is available to all University of Kent students and staff.

When and where is Dr Bike at Canterbury:

Dr Bike is on the Canterbury campus every Wednesday, during term time between 10:00 and 16:00.

Find Dr Bike at the Kent Sport Cycle Hub outside the Pavilion, on Park Wood road.

For any enquiries regarding bike hire or servicing, contact ByCycle on chris@easybycycle.co.uk or telephone 07842 636597. For more information see our cycling webpages.

Planning your journey for adverse weather

With evenings getting darker, adverse weather on the horizon, and temporary road closures, knowing the best way to travel can be tricky. Whatever the situation, the Transport Team’s Planning your Journey page has been developed to help plan your commute.

Travel Advisors update the page regularly with new apps, webpages, and social media links that give up to date information on road, rail, bus, and bicycle travel.

Now that winter is looming, we are updating the Transport web pages with the latest adverse weather information, and we will also endeavor to update you on our twitter page if there are any travel disruptions on or around our campuses.

Remember that weather can change at any time. Be prepared for this before you start your journey, no matter the mode of transport.

Driving
Ensure that you and your vehicle are prepared for driving in adverse weather conditions. Read some top tips to prepare for driving during the winter and don’t forget to plan your journey before you leave so you are aware of any disruptions.

Public transport, cycling and walking

Plan your journey, check if there are problems on public transport or local roads
Delay your journey, if possible, to allow temperatures to rise and ice or snow to melt
Avoid footways in the shade. It takes longer for ice or snow to melt in the shade
Always wear appropriate footwear and reflective/bright clothing
Ensure that you have a torch or lights so motorists and others can see you when walking or cycling. Think Be Bright Be Seen.

Medway Dr Bike free bicycle check-up

Does your bike need a check over? Visit Dr Bike Thursday 21 March outside the Student Hub 11:30-14:30.

Dr Bike are trained bicycle mechanics who regularly come onto campus to check and adjust your bike for free. The service is available to University of Kent and University of Greenwich students and staff.

Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special reduced rate.

For more information visit our Dr Bike webpage

If you do not own a bike, check out the Rent & Ride cycle hire scheme.

Cycle facilities on campus- where and how to gain access

Have you considered cycling to the University? Cycling is a great way to improve your physical and mental health. See our numbered cycle shelter map to find where your nearest cycle shelter is located.

How to gain access to Canterbury lockable cycle shelters

For access to the Library cycle shelter email TransportTeam@kent.ac.ukwith your name, staff or student number, number on back of your Kent One card, type and colour of bike and any identifying features of your bicycle.
For other lockable cycle shelters come to the Security and Transport Centre with your Kent One card to gain access.

How to gain access to Medway lockable cycle shelter

For access to the lockable cycle shelter at Medway, email MedwayCardAccess@kent.ac.uk with your name, staff or student number and number on the back of your Kent One card.

Dr Bike free bike check-ups

Dr Bike are experienced bicycle mechanics who regularly come onto campus to check and adjust your bike for free. Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special reduced rate.

The service is provided by ByCycle and is available to University of Kent students and staff. At Medway campus, the service is also available to University of Greenwich students and staffs.

Medway campus

Find Dr Bike outside the Student Hub 11:30-14:30 (Thursday 17 January 2019) for your free bicycle check-up. Dr Bike visits Medway campus on a monthly basis.

Canterbury campus

Dr Bike is available at the Cycle Hub by the Pavilion every Wednesday 8.30-15.30 during term-time.

See our Dr Bike webpage for more information including future Medway dates.

Medway cycle hire scheme (Rent & Ride)

We are excited to announce a new trial cycle hire scheme at Medway campus. The University of Kent are working in partnership with Rent & Ride (R&R), which is an affordable dockless bicycle hire scheme.

When is the R&R cycle hire scheme launching?

The cycle hire scheme launched Monday 14 January.

How does it work?

Download the R&R app. When you log in, the app will show the nearest 5 bikes to your location. When you reach the bike you want to ride, unlock the bike by scanning the QR code on the lock and start your ride. When you are finished, park and lock the bike in a suitable bike parking location and tap ‘Finish trip’ on the app.

How much does it cost?

A subscription is available for University of Kent students and staff. Student subscription is only £25 per year or £10 per term. For staff, the subscription is £50 per year or £20 per term. The annual subscription allows you to use the bike for 30 minutes free every day. After the free minutes, 50p will be charged for every 30 minutes up to a maximum of £5 per 24 hour period.

Users without a subscription can pay 80p per half hour, followed by £1 for every half hour capped at £10 per 24 hour period.

How can I find out more?

R&R will be demonstrating the bicycles and the app at the Student Hub 12:00-14:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (14 January onwards). They may also demonstrate the bikes at other locations on campus.

For more information visit https://www.rentandride.org/

Dr Bike free bicycle check-ups

What is Dr Bike?
Get your bike checked and adjusted for free by ‘Dr Bike’. The Dr Bike service is provided by Chris and his team at ByCycle, working with the Transport Team, Estates department. Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special reduced rate.

The Dr Bike service supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (good health and well-being) and 11 (sustainable cities and communities). See Estates Sustainability to learn more about the goals.

Canterbury campus
You can find Dr Bike at the Cycle Hub by the Pavilion on Park Wood road every Wednesday during term-time 08.30-15.30.

Medway Campus
Dr Bike visits Medway campus on a monthly basis during term-time. Dr Bike will next be at Medway campus Thursday 15 November 2018. Find Dr Bike outside the Student Hub 11.30-14.30 for your free bike check-up. The service is available to University of Greenwich and University of Kent students and staff.

For more information visit our Dr Bike webpage

Student cycle hire

The University of Kent work with ByCycle to provide low cost bicycle hire to all students attending the Canterbury campus.

All bicycles available are second hand and have either been abandoned onsite or given to the University. Each bicycle has been security tagged and is registered to the University of Kent. They all come equipped with lights, a bell, and a lock, and have received a full service – they are as good as new and are ready to ride!

To hire a bicycle for the autumn term, Canterbury students should visit the Cycle Hub at the Pavilion on the following dates between 10.00 and 15.00:

17 September 2018
19 September 2018
21 September 2018
24 September 2018
25 September 2018
26 September 2018

Bicycles can be hired for £40 per term, alongside a security deposit of £60. The deposit will be refunded when you return the bicycle in good condition.

If any Medway students wish to hire a bicycle, they can do so from Liberty Quays accommodation.

For more information visit www.kent.ac.uk/transport/cycling or www.easybycycle.co.uk

Cycle access on campus