Durham freshers are being invited to pedal-powered tours of their new home city, to help them settle in to their wonderful new surroundings and get around in a healthy, eco-friendly way.
UniCycle is a walking and cycling campaign for students at Durham University to help them get to know the city, the best routes to take and raise awareness for cyclists ‘to be seen and be safe’ and also having fun whilst walking and cycling.
Durham County Council is working in partnership with Durham University, Cycling UK, Living Streets, Recyke Y’Bike, Durham Constabulary and Breeze to deliver the activities, offers and events for all university students.
Cllr Carl Marshall, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “This project will enable students to gear up for cycling in Durham City by getting them kitted out and getting them moving through their new home city.
“As well as cycling and walking tours, our latest residents will be given advice, bike safety checks and even goodie bags thanks to our partners.
“UniCycle addresses ongoing concerns over safety of student cyclists who do not use lights and increases in bike theft that have hit the student population hard.
“There are also offers on bike purchases to receive free locks and lights, supplied by Recycke Y’Bike; maps by Durham County Council; and security marking, provided by Durham Constabulary, to make sure students have safe travels as they make their way through university life.”
The project will culminate in a post-Lumiere UniCycle Celebration event for students on Thursday 23 November 2017 at St. Mary’s College, which will include stalls, freebies, demonstrations and free bike security marking.
Students will be encouraged to ‘bling’ themselves and their bikes to enter the prize draw.
The event will end with a guided Ghost Walk and a 3 mile led night bike ride.