Keele cyclists
Keele Cyclists is the bicycle users group (BUG) for Keele University. We aim to allow cyclists to give collective feedback to the University on how cycling can be supported and encouraged and to allow cyclists to meet and support one another.
Keele cycle map
Cycling benefits
Getting fit: cycling is a great way to get fit, not only through burning calories and toning your muscles, but also through boosting your immune system, reducing heart disease and helping you to sleep better, among many other benefits. Here are 27 reaons to ride a bike and comments from cyclists about the benefits to cycling.
Having fun: cycling is good fun. Cycling down Keele bank is a great way to end the day.
Saving money: find out just how much money you could save, using the Cycle to Work calculator. Cycling is good for the environment too as it releases zero carbon emissions!
Staff can also claim cycle travel expenses at 20p per mile for work travel that is NOT your normal journey to work.
Talk to other cyclists
- Join our e-mail list to find out news about cycling on campus or to ask for information or Follow us on Facebook
- See an archive of old postings at the Keele Cyclists Archive
- Get in touch with local cycle clubs
- Follow Keele Mountainbikers student group on Facebook. Some members are also into other types of cycling, such as road racing.
Mend or service your bike
FREE Dr. Bike
The Dr Bike service is currently suspended.
Emergency cycle repair equipment- There is a bike stand at the front of the sports centre, with some basic tools attached to it.
An online guide by BikeRide provides free information on bike repairs and maintenance. Another online guide by Made Good Bikes also includes excellent bicycle maintenance & repair resources, including videos.
You can get discounts at several local cycle shops if you have a Keele Card.
Kevin Clews from Spokes Bikeshop in Silverdale will collect bikes for same-day servicing and repair. To book your bike in for a service or repair, please get in touch with Kevin via email or phone, 01782 937786. Kevin offers 10% off the standard servicing and repair prices.
Store your bike - staff and students
There is plenty of good cycle storage on campus.
There is some uncovered, open-air but lockable storage for staff available near the Dorothy Hodgkin building.
If you are a student in halls of residence, why not take advantage of the secure storage on offer? We have a secure cycle store in each of our Halls of Residence, for use by the residents of that Hall. Register for this on our Accommodation - cycle storage page.
It is a good idea to lock your bike, even when it is inside secure storage, by using a lock that has been tested against attack from thieves.
The University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) NHS Trust now has 2 new secure cycle shelters on the City General Site. The closest one to us is outside the Undergraduate Medical School (UGMS). To access the secure cycle shelters you will need to have a Trust ID badge and will have to apply for access by emailing idbadge.queries@uhns.nhs.uk Any Keele staff who doesn’t have a Trust ID badge will also need to email idbadge.queries@uhns.nhs.uk and ask to be issued with a UHNS badge for access for the shelters only. They will only require your name (no photo). The card will then be available for collection from the Cashiers office next to the Restaurant in the main hospital a couple of days after the request is made.
Store your kit
Lockers are available for students on the ground floor of the library. They are free of charge and can be hired on a 2 week loan or 1 day loan basis and may be renewed so long as it is not reserved by someone else.
There are some lockers for staff available by the showers in Dorothy Hodgkin building.
Long term use of lockers is available in the Sports Centre, which is open from 7.30 am to 10pm weekdays and weekends from 9.30am - 5.30pm. Please ask the staff at the sports centre reception about these.
Car parking for cyclists
Flexible parking arrangements for cyclists are currently under review. If you have an urgent question please contact the parking team at parking@keele.ac.uk
Wash yourself and your bike
Keele cycle map shows the location of showers and bike hoses.
Showers in the leisure centre can be used by anyone. Other showers on campus may have some restrictions.
- Leisure Centre: Free showers for cyclists. Staff with a Keele card can use staff showers with lockers (£1 deposit needed).
- Dorothy Hodgkin Building: Immediately inside the main entrance on the right. There are also lockers available here.
- Hornbeam Building: For staff only, on the ground floor, marked on the building map. Turn left from the main entrance.
- Lennard Jones: For staff and postgraduate, key with Dave Evans.
- Medical School: Only for use by staff with keys to the anatomy suite due to the regulations of the Human Tissue Authority license.
Bike hose is available from the Sports Centre, which is open, Mon - Fri: 07:30 - 22:00 and weekends: 09:30 - 17:30. Collect the hose from reception and use it at the back of the sports centre, returning it to reception when you have finished.
Hire a bike
Please note: The Dr Bike service is currently suspended.
You can hire a good quality, unisex, commuter bike with a pannier, lock and lights, including a free monthly safety check.
- one month: £10 (plus a returnable deposit)
- full academic year £50 (plus a returnable deposit)
- part of an academic year, for example, just one semester is available for a reduced price on asking.
For more information contact: enquiries@cyclist-training.co.uk or visit our monthly Dr Bike service at Union Square.
Buy a bike
Eligible staff can use the University's cycle to work scheme to 'loan' a bike (and equipment) of their choice to cycle to work. To qualify for the scheme staff must use the bike at least 50% of the time for commuting to work (qualifying journeys). The cost of the 'loan' bike is met through deductions from the employee's salary over 18 months, with savings made on tax. After the loan period ends the employee has the option to take full ownership of the bike with no extra costs. The Cycle to Work Scheme are open all year. If you have any questions about the scheme contact estates@keele.ac.uk.
You can get discounts at several local cycle shops for anyone with a Keele Card.
You can also sometimes get free bikes from the Stoke-on-Trent Freecycle Network.
You can get advice about buying a bike by asking on our e-mail list or our Facebook Page.
Report problems
To report any potholes, glass or other problems with cycling on campus, please phone or e-mail the Estates help desk: 01782 733137, estates@keele.ac.uk.
You can report potholes on any road using http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/
If you have suggestions or comments about these webpages, please e-mail estates@keele.ac.uk.