Tips for students

Between the four local universities (Bristol, UWE, Bath and Bath Spa), there are over 65,000 higher education students studying in the region, plus thousands more studying in sixth form and further education colleges.

Bicycles provide an affordable and healthy way for students to get around.

Plus bike journeys can be combined with train trips for longer journeys, providing an alternative to owning and running costly cars.

Below you'll find some of our top tips for students looking to cycle in Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Getting started

Buying a bike:

Deciding which style of bike to go for can be a difficult choice: hybrid, mountain, racer, fixed wheel - all come with their pros and cons.

There are almost 70 bike shops in the West of England region and all will provide expert advice on which brand will suit your budget. Many offer a 10% NUS discount too.

The cost of a brand new bike can often be off-putting for people on low incomes so a recycled or second hand bike might be more suitable. They are often less attractive to bike theives too. We have a list of the second hand and recycled bike suppliers in the area on our website.

Buying accessories:

To make your journey more comfortable you might want to consider investing in some light loose cotton sports clothes for the summer and some warm waterproof trousers, overshoes and a jacket for the winter.

If you regularly make bicycle journeys in the evening, investing in a front and back light is essential. It's illegal to ride without lights so make sure you aren't caught out.

Our clothing and accessories page provides more information.

Training sessions:

Many new-starters feel intimidated about the thought cycling in busy cities. We offer £10 training sessions specifically designed for adults to build confidence on their usual bike journeys. Visit our adult cycle training page to make your booking.

Getting around

Many students migrate to the West of England region either from elsewhere in the country, or even abroad, so it's always worth taking some time to understand the cycling conditions in your local area. Here's a few things we think might help:

• Take a look at the Highway Code online to find out the rules that apply to cyclists.
• Read the Safer Cycling tips on our website to learn some polite behaviours
• Make sure you lock your bike well. Read our tips on bicycle security and where to park.
• Download or order our free cycle maps to find out where the bike routes are in your local area.

Cycling for fun and fitness

If you're already a keen biker looking to get more miles in, you might want to consider some of our longer leisure routes and our numerous off-road mountain bike trails.

You'll also find plenty of people happy to ride with you. There are over 30 local cycling clubs who are always happy to take on new members.

There are lots of fun annual cycling events that take place across the region. These include Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride, the Great Weston Ride, Action 100's Bristol/Bath to London ride, Bristol Cycle Festival and Carnival, Bristol Naked Bike Ride, Bath Sky Ride and plenty more besides.

Visit our Events Calendar to find out what's going on, or sign up to receive our regular newsletter for news directly to your mailbox.

Cycling and your University

All four local universities have cycling pages on their websites. The following links will direct you to the relevant pages:

• Bristol University
• University of the West of England
• Bath University
• Bath Spa University