The 25 best universities for cycling in the UK

Research released today (7 Aug) has officially named @EdinburghUni as the best in the UK for student cyclists, beating bike-famous @Cambridge_Uni – as students prepare to ditch public transport for social distancing in September.

The research, from student accommodation search engine, Mystudenthalls.com, has ranked the UK’s universities using measures including campus bike storage, pro-cycling and bike campaigns, university cycling societies, accessibility of local bike shops and quality of resources for would-be cyclists; points were deducted for bike theft and air pollution levels.

Scottish universities largely dominated the top rankings. Offering discounts in local bike shops as well as a ‘Bike Buddies’ volunteer system to help newbie or unsure cyclists, bike maintenance courses and ‘Doctor Bike’ sessions, the University of Edinburgh outperformed all other universities to reach first position. The university also previously saw one of its halls of residence win a Cycle Friendly Campus Award. 

Coming in a close second was the University of Bristol. Despite Bristol’s reputation as the home of the UK’s steepest road which may make some cyclists wary, the University has a vibrant cycling culture, featuring free bike clinics and university cycling communities. 

Third place is the University of Glasgow, offering free bicycle security marking and bike rental memberships where students can access bikes with 30 minutes free each rental.

While the University of Cambridge is renowned the world over for its cycling and boasts some 35 bike shops, most offering discounts for students, the highest rates of bicycle theft of any university meant that it wasn’t able to reach above 6th position. 

Also making the top 10 were University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick, University of Southampton, University of Birmingham and, in 10th place, the University of Oxford. 

Mystudenthalls.com MD & Founder, Dan Roberts, commented:

“While the national lockdown proved to be a golden age for cycling, the research highlights that many universities could be doing more to cater to the ever growing student cycling community. 

With many students returning to their studies with a new “blended” style of learning and continued anxiety surrounding the pandemic, cycling is one great way to support student wellbeing and encourage social distancing when travelling from halls to lectures. No doubt that universities will be investing into more ways to support students in jumping on their bikes.”