Cycling in Cambridge

Cycling is often the fastest way of getting round the city, but if you're not used to cycling in traffic there are some important things you need to know. This section will give you a bit of guidance and introduce you to some of the schemes CUSU will be implementing in conjunction with the colleges.

The police's own cycle safety website has some excellent tips on how to wear a helmet properly and bike maintenance.

Cambridge Cycling Campaign is the main body campaigning to improve cycling in Cambridge, and they offer a student membership which gives you discounts at many bike shops. Resources of interest are:

Information on this page:

Buying a Bike

Cambridge is very flat so you do not need many gears, and three speed city bikes are very popular and practical. If you have brought a valuable bike with you, make sure you invest in some good quality locks.

Cycle theft is the most common crime affecting Cambridge students, so don't spend more than £200 unless you are willing to invest at least 20% of the cost of the bike on locks. There are lots and lots of bike shops in Cambridge, although the quality of bikes marketed at students can vary enormously. As a rule-of thumb you might want to spend £170-230 brand new, or £60-£100 second hand. While cheaper bikes are certainly available, be a little wary of special deals where a mountain bike will be sold to you complete with lights, lock and a basket: these bikes can be unsuited for on-road riding, and the locks which come with them may be cheap, and therefore easy to break through.

Bike shops

Cambridge is full of bike shops. The following shops offer a student discount with your CUSU card :

5% of repairs at The Bikeman, Market Square.
10% off goods at Howes Cycles, Regent St.
5% off new bikes, 10% off spares, accessories and clothing, 20% off labour charges at Townsends, Light Blue Cycle centre, 72 Chesterton Street.
10% discount at Blazing Saddles, Cherry Hinton Road.

Cycling and the Law

You should always bear in mind that nearly all areas of the Highway Code which apply to motor vehicles apply equally to cyclists. In particular:

It is illegal to cycle in the dark without front and back lights.
Cycling when drunk is illegal.
Going against one way streets or through red lights is against the law. The police often fine cyclists for cycling in the wrong direction on one-way streets, and for cycling without lights in the dark.

Registering your bike

Registering your bike as well other valuable items, such as your laptop, iPod or mobile phone, will make it easier to get it back if it gets stolen. The University also requires all students to register their bicycles. The easiest way to do this is with immobilise, the national property website at www.immobilise.com/.

Locks

Locking your bike properly is important. As a general guide, the D-locks, Dutch Dial locks and cable locks are ones to go for, but you should aim to spend £20-£25 on them. This may sound like a lot of money, but compared to the cost of a replacement bike the investment is minimal.

Lights and Reflectors

It is illegal and dangerous to cycle in the dark without lights. CUSU offers the cheapest deals for bike lights via college students' unions and from CUSU reception – drop by or contact the Student Support Officer for more information. You can also get various types of lights from all bicycle shops.

Remember that the law stipulates that your lights should have a fixed beam, not flash. You may also wish to consider wearing bright, fluorescent, reflective clothing, to make you more visible.

Helmets

Around 70% of cycle injuries are to the head, so it might be a good idea to wear a helmet when cycling. They can be picked up fairly cheaply from all cycle shops, but make sure you look for a sticker on the inside of the helmet which confirms it's passed the quality standards. Foam-based helmets do not re-expand after impact so if you have an
accident, buy a new helmet.