University of Nottingham staff and students have formed a bike convoy going out on the last Friday of every month, travelling the cycle paths of Nottingham.
The Bike Bus is organised by the Ucycle project, and gives University commuters the chance to make a cheaper, cleaner and healthier journey. The Bike Bus has a focus on inclusivity and provides an alternative and social method of travelling around the city. People of all abilities are encouraged to take part and riders can join or leave the Bike Bus at any point, just like getting on or off a normal bus. The team also contribute spare bikes for anyone who doesn’t have their own.
Adam Batty, Project Officer, said: “The Bike Bus works towards our goal of promoting sustainable travel, not just as a choice of travel, but as an obvious and convenient option.
“It has been growing over the last four months and is now looking for extra attendees to make it bigger than ever. Staff and students of the University, the Medical School and the QMC are encouraged to spread the word of the event to friends, colleagues and social media networks, and attend themselves of course, to make it as big as possible.”
This project is being delivered as part of the Nottingham Urban Area’s successful Local Sustainable Transport Fund programme, helping to establish Nottingham as an exemplar for integrated sustainable transport. It is also part of Sustrans’s vision of ‘a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment.’
Helen Phillips, University staff member and Bike Bus regular, said: “I first hopped on the Bike Bus this spring and I’m now disappointed if I miss it. A friendly and diverse crowd join in from all parts of the staff and student community, and they ride an equally diverse range of bikes, from Ucycle hires to “fixies” and old Dutch bikes to carbon racers.
“I’ve discovered some great new routes and cycle paths as we’ve meandered our way into and around town.”
The next Bike Bus will set off on Friday 26 September from the Trent East Car Park at 5pm, and cyclists are welcome to join the ride in progress.
For more information, to register interest or to reserve a bike, get in touch with adam.batty@sustrans.org.uk or find them on Facebook and Twitter at UoNUcycle.
