[EloiseStar]

For some cities such as Oxford I know it would be ideal to take a bike but how about for other universities? Is walking/getting a bus easier?

[tooosh]

You already said "for some cities" so it obviously depends on the city.

[M4LLY]

What city are you going to?

[The Polymath]

(Original post by EloiseStar)
For some cities such as Oxford I know it would be ideal to take a bike but how about for other universities? Is walking/getting a bus easier?

Wherever you're going a bike won't go amiss - if you have one spare you might as well, it'll be useful for popping down to the local shop etc. particularly as a student when you'll be looking to save on every penny you can

[Monzystar]

you wanna be healthy mate and waste no money? take the bike!

[McHumpy92]

Bikes are amazing....I love weaving through traffic when a traffic jam and obviously pissing off motorists because I'm going faster than them for free and not paying road tax or insurance. My blood pressure going down and theirs through the roof.

[Origami Bullets]

In my experience, it is worth it, because
a) it's quicker than the bus, even over distances of 5 miles or so
b) it's cheaper than the bus
c) it's cheaper than the gym
d) it's there 24/7, which is useful because I often need to get to outlying areas before / after the buses have stopped
e) it doesn't really cause any problems if you do bring it and don't use it.

Oh yeah, and it's much more enjoyable than the bus - at least on a bike you can avoid a lecture from the Crazy Bus Lady about the evils of the freemasons / mafia / illuminati / met police etc. (Manchester students will understand who I'm on about!

[Feefifofum]

Go for it. You'll save loads of money on bus fares, stay fit, and it's really handy having the option to cycle places. Cities obviously vary in terms of their cycle lanes etc., but universities tend to provide bike storage in halls, and bike racks on campus.

[ranbow99]

Depends which University. Some Universities have accommodation and everything you need on campus (with a supermarket in walking distance) in which case you probably wouldn't need one if you lived on campus.
If it's a city Uni then might be a good idea to take it, as accommodation can be quite far away!

Same with 2nd year if you live far away from uni

[thatgirlbecky]

Just out of interest, but where would you store your bike at uni? In your hallway or is there a shed you have to pay the university for it to be stored in and locked at night, or can you just chain it to the fence near your halls? Sorry if this is a stupid question as I guess it differs between universities but was just wondering

[Feefifofum]

As you said, it varies. Most halls and university accommodation will have bike racks outside that you can use. If you have a flat and can get your bike inside, then you can store it in there, as long as it doesn't get in anyone's way and annoy your flatmates

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by thatgirlbecky)
Just out of interest, but where would you store your bike at uni? In your hallway or is there a shed you have to pay the university for it to be stored in and locked at night, or can you just chain it to the fence near your halls? Sorry if this is a stupid question as I guess it differs between universities but was just wondering

There's a bike shed at my halls, but it's become so overcrowded as to be unusable (there's even a motorbike in there FFS). There are also some racks attached to the wall directly outside my hall - also occupied. I've taken to locking my bike to the internal communal staircase now!

[Moooooooose]

I would say yes if you're going to be in a city. I took mine to uni when I went in September and it came in handy a few times. I regularly cycled to the supermarket and took a rucksack if I just needed a few basics. I would have cycled more but the area round the uni was so hilly it put me off. Will be taking mine when I start in September again.

[*Boofle*]

If you're going to Bristol, take it. Bristol's one of the best cycling cities there are

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Brist...ail/story.html

[abbey-chic]

How about London?! I mentioned the idea to my Dad and he was like "AAAAAH don't be ridiculous you'll be killed!" I'm off to LSE in September and I really like the idea of using a bike instead of the London Transport System


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by *Boofle*)
If you're going to Bristol, take it. Bristol's one of the best cycling cities there are

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Brist...ail/story.html

Except for the hills! What Mancunians consider a steep hill, Bristolians consider a small incline.

You really do need a bike with lots of gears in Bristol - I'd never come across the concept of a fixie until I left Bristol!

(Original post by abbey-chic)
How about London?! I mentioned the idea to my Dad and he was like "AAAAAH don't be ridiculous you'll be killed!" I'm off to LSE in September and I really like the idea of using a bike instead of the London Transport System

I don't think you're much more likely to get killed in London than you are anywhere else. The traffic is some of the slowest in the country, so even if you do get taken off in central London, then you probably won't get killed.

You do, of course, need to be proactive about how you cycle. Don't go down the left hand side of lorries / buses, as if they turn left they can crush and kill you without ever having realised that you were there. Wear something bright & reflective. Make sure you cycle out of the 'door zone', where parked cars can open their doors into your path. Not being in the door zone also means that you are slightly further out into the path of cars coming up behind you. That makes them sit up, take notice, and realise that they can't just get away with squeezing past you with 4" clearance, so they pull out around you and give you a few feet of clearance instead.

Oh, and watch out for potholes and Addison Lee drivers!

[J.G.M]

(Original post by abbey-chic)
How about London?! I mentioned the idea to my Dad and he was like "AAAAAH don't be ridiculous you'll be killed!" I'm off to LSE in September and I really like the idea of using a bike instead of the London Transport System


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

If i were you i'd be very careful as to where in london i'd ride a bike, im sure there are many places where its no more dangerous than riding on any other roads
but i live very near london and go there quite a bit, and in the busier places it is literally a death trap for bikers and i always see multiple (new) memorials due to the death of cyclists every time im there Such as the junction outside of Kings cross sation, if you ride your bike around there at any time where its atall busy you'd be playing with death (if you even seach 'junction outside kings cross station' on google images multiple biker memorials come up)
So personally, i'd only ride my bike around london if i knew for sure i wouldn't be going anywhere near any busy or hazardous roads

[lonelykatana]

(Original post by Origami Bullets)
Except for the hills! What Mancunians consider a steep hill, Bristolians consider a small incline.

You're not joking. Im at uni in Manchester, and recently came home to North Wales for summer. 35% incline isn't uncommon here, even a couple of 40% ones around my way! None of that nonsense in manchester


OP - yes, it is worth it!
Just don't become one of them red light jumping arse holes that go everywhere at 10mph. Read cycle craft and understand the concepts of vehicular cycling - It could literally save your life.
I don't see why you are in any more danger than you would be in a car if you ride in a conscious manner.

Word of warning, don't let it take over your life.
I fell in love with cycling at uni. Im know one of them lycra clad ****ers who thinks hill climbs are fun.

[Origami Bullets]

(Original post by abbey-chic)
How about London?! I mentioned the idea to my Dad and he was like "AAAAAH don't be ridiculous you'll be killed!" I'm off to LSE in September and I really like the idea of using a bike instead of the London Transport System

(Original post by Origami Bullets)
I don't think you're much more likely to get killed in London than you are anywhere else. The traffic is some of the slowest in the country, so even if you do get taken off in central London, then you probably won't get killed.

You do, of course, need to be proactive about how you cycle. Don't go down the left hand side of lorries / buses, as if they turn left they can crush and kill you without ever having realised that you were there. Wear something bright & reflective. Make sure you cycle out of the 'door zone', where parked cars can open their doors into your path. Not being in the door zone also means that you are slightly further out into the path of cars coming up behind you. That makes them sit up, take notice, and realise that they can't just get away with squeezing past you with 4" clearance, so they pull out around you and give you a few feet of clearance instead.

Oh, and watch out for potholes and Addison Lee drivers!

Here's a much more eloquent explanation of what I just said, particularly the animation. Obviously it's American, so you have to switch it to riding on the left & ignoring the legal bits, but the principle remains the same http://cyclingsavvy.org/hows-my-driving/

[McHumpy92]

I ride like a dick really. Best way to describe my riding a bike is like how you drive a car on GTA. I wear no helmet or nothing either, I should probably be a bit more sensible, since I really don't want to die.