£17,000 will go towards 25 bikes for campus-to-campus travel
Edinburgh Napier students and staff who are interested in taking up cycling are set for increased support thanks to a £17,000 funding boost from Cycling Scotland.
Over the last few years, the University has been working hard to encourage cycling to campus, including offering free bike maintenance sessions and security marking, repair workshops at student accommodation, led rides and more.
Both Sighthill and Merchiston have been awarded Cycle Friendly Campus status from Cycling Scotland, and this latest funding will go towards offering even more support to students and staff who cycle, or want to cycle.
The funding includes £16,496.25 from the Cycling Scotland Campus Development Fund for 25 bikes, locks, helmets, high-visibility jackets and bike marking security kits. This will allow the University to develop its own bike-lending scheme and allow students and staff to borrow the equipment they need to get to and from campus, as well as around Edinburgh itself.
The University has also received £500 from the Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Internship Fund for cycle ride leader training and Dr Bike sessions.
The cycle ride training will allow volunteers to host led rides around the city, a great way to encourage new cyclists to get to grips and gain confidence, as well as encouraging sustainable travel and the benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing.
Dr Bike sessions have enjoyed great success over recent years, with students and staff taking the opportunity to get their bikes checked and minor repairs carried out for free.
Ben Standish, Edinburgh Napier Campus Cycling Officer, said: “After a difficult year of being stuck indoors for many of us, this is really fantastic news for the students and staff of Edinburgh Napier.
“Cycling can have a huge range of benefits; it’s affordable, healthy and has been proven to support wellbeing and productivity. We hope the new bikes can benefit some of our students who do not already have access to a bicycle whilst providing a resource for staff and students to run social events.
“Cycling Scotland’s support for bike maintenance sessions and cycle training will add that little bit of extra support which could be the difference of whether someone continues to cycle and cycles safely.
“What’s even more exciting is that we are developing a relationship with VieVelo and the Edinburgh All-Ability Bike Centre who have a range of adapted bikes and ensure that cycling is something everyone can enjoy. If there any Edinburgh Napier students or staff that want to know more about how we are helping our community cycle, I would be more than happy to have a chat.”
Jayne Brown, Development Officer Education, Cycling Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have awarded Edinburgh Napier University funding to increase their current fleet of pool bikes.
“The goal of the Cycling Friendly Campus programme is to make it easier for students and staff to cycle. We achieve this by offering development grant funding for colleges and universities to make improvements to cycling facilities, and support and guidance to achieve a nationally-recognised award.
“Encouraging cycling and improving accessibility to bikes on campus will help to promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable travel option for students and staff.”
The funding news was also welcomed by Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association President, Ankit Duggal. He said: “I am glad to find out about funding from Cycling Scotland, which will provide a great opportunity for students to hire bikes, get some assistance with equipment such as locks, lights, helmets and some Dr Bike sessions to get small repairs.
“As student president, I have tried to promote this project to the university leadership team as well. It will definitely benefit the students to access the active transport which will help them to have some exercise and better physical alongside mental health.
“It is also another way to support climate change by following a greener approach to travelling. Cycling is important for the students and for the University also, to abide by the practice that they advocate to encourage others.”
For more information on cycling to campus, please visit our Cycling page on My Napier.
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