The aim of the Cycling Forum is to help increase the number of journeys made to GCU by bicycle. To achieve this, the Cycling Forum will:
- Provide a channel for cyclists to discuss cycling issues with the University
- Consider barriers to cycling at GCU and develop proposals to overcome them
- Enhance cycling proficiency by promoting cyclist coaching and training
- Provide information and resources to more cycling to GCU
- Organise cycling events
- Link into existing and planned health and wellbeing initiatives.
The Cycling Forum is an informal association of students and staff at GCU with an interest in cycling and is administered by the Sustainability Team.
GCU’s Cycling Forum provides a mechanism for the University to engage with students and staff that cycle and understand their cycling needs. Through this dialogue, and with the help of a number of stakeholders, there has been a significant amount of targeted investment in cycling infrastructure and as a result the number of students and staff cycling to the University between 2012 and 2015 almost doubled (to just over 4% and 9% respectively).
In recognition of this achievement, Cycling Scotland awarded Scotland's first Cycle Friendly Campus Award to GCU in February 2016.
In developing infrastructure for cyclists, the University acknowledges the support from the following organisations: Cycling Scotland, Sustrans, SPT and Glasgow City Council.
To keep GCU cyclists up-to-date on cycling-related events, we encourage you to sign up to our Cycling Forum mailing list. In addition, we have an active Facebook group.
If you’re thinking about cycling to GCU we can help in a number of ways, from pointing you towards some awesome route planning tools, and maps and linking you up with potential cycling buddies.
Routes and Maps
Cycle Streets is a great route planning tool for cyclists: just enter your start and end postcodes and it gives you three route options (quiet, intermediate and fast).
Glasgow City Council has several cycle route maps for Glasgow.
In addition, we also have maps of Glasgow’s cycling routes. Please contact sustainability@gcu.ac.uk to request your free copy.
Cycling Buddies
If you're thinking about cycling to GCU the Cycle Forum can also help you get started by putting you in touch with experienced cyclists who are happy to discuss route options.
GCU's Cycle Buddies have shared their routes with us and are happy to help you get started. A selection of routes travelled by GCU Cycle Buddies can be seen on a Google map
To contact a Cycle Buddy to discuss potential routes, please send an email to sustainability@gcu.ac.uk with details of your starting point. Please note that for security reasons, we'll only reply to emails sent from either gcu.ac.uk or caledonian.ac.uk addresses.
The University offers a free mobile mechanic service (Dr Bike), normally two times a month during term time and once a month outwith term time. Sign-up for the Cycle Forum emails to be notified of the next Dr Bike sessions, which are scheduled for:
- Monday, 4 March 2024 (Dynamo Glasgow)
- Monday, 26 March 2024 (Bikes for Refugees)
- Monday, 8 April 2024 (Dynamo Glasgow)
- Monday, 25 April 2024 (Bikes for Refugees)
- Monday, 20 May 2024 (Dynamo Glasgow)
- Monday, 10 June 2024 (Bikes for Refugees)
- Monday, 22 July 2024 (Dynamo Glasgow)
Dr Bike visits will take place on the above dates between 11am - 2pm outside the Campus Security office on the main campus concourse. Note, security markings will be done on Dr. Bike session dates when Police Scotland is participating.
If you prefer to do your own maintenance, BikeRide has some great bike maintenance videos.
