Getting around town for lectures can be tricky and expensive, especially in some of the larger, busier, cities. For this reason, bicycles can be a great way to get around town between different buildings and areas to save you both time and money. If you shop around, you can find a really good bicycle that won't break the bank.
It is well worth checking for deals on new bicycles as they probably won't be as expensive as you think and will get you where you need to be faster and at less expense. As we all know, buses, trains and tram journeys all add up to be a significant cost when taken over the entire term.
We here at Edinburgh Bicycle Coop understands students' need to keep costs down while still having an efficient and quick mode of transport which is why we can help steer you towards an excellent quality, but cost effective, bicycle for city cycling.
Contents and Quick Links
- Why is a bicycle the right choice for students?
- Different Bikes for Different Purposes
- Essential Accessories
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why is a Bicycle the right choice for Students?
There are a number of reasons that a bicycle is a great idea for students such as cost, convenience, time, social and environmental concerns.
Cost
Motor transport costs are rising all the time so for short and mid-length journeys, a bicycle is the perfect way to get around. Aside from the initial cost and some regular, low-cost maintenance, a bike turns out to be an incredibly cost effective mode of transport in cities. The savings in a couple of terms mitigates the initial cost of a bicycle.
If you take a car to lectures, aside from the petrol and upkeep costs, you can have some astronomical costs to parking in cities.
Convenience
The cost of parking is one thing but the stress of finding a parking space close to where you are going is another entirely. A bicycle removes this worry as most, if not all, universities and colleges have excellent bicycle parking and are usually incredibly close to lecture buildings. All of this usually means you can save time on your journeys.
Time
As we mentioned above, a bike can save you time by keeping you out of busy, rush-hour traffic and removing the need to drive around finding a parking space when you finally get to your destination. Cycling can save you time compared to other modes of transport too - take buses for example, they usually take a bit longer to get across cities due to stopping and starting and the circuitous route they take. Between A and B, a bike will be faster across some cities and the great thing is; there's no having to wait for a bike to come along.
Of course, all of this gives the added benefit of more time in bed in the morning.
Social
Away from commuting to lectures and classes, bicycles can be a great way to explore a new city and keep fit in your free time. They can also be a great way to meet new people and socialise on the weekends.
Environmental
And finally, there are the environmental factors of choosing to cycle over the car, bus or train. It is no secret that cycling is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of travelling so by choosing a bicycle, you are choosing to look after our planet.
Different Bikes for Different Purposes
There are so many different styles of bikes available to suit many different circumstances. If you are on a budget, are security conscious, riding off-road or need some electric assistance, there are bikes for you. We will take a look at some of the options for different requirements.
Budget Options
We understand that being a student can be financially challenging so we keep a stock of budget friendly options in stock for exactly this purpose. A good hybrid bike will set you back about £500-£600 which is not a lot of money for a bicycle these days. It is definitely worth doing the maths on how much you would potentially save over public transport or driving to see if this cost would be worth it to you.
You can always try to pick up a sale or promotion bike as you can usually get great discounts on previous year models and pick up some of the best brands for less.
Security Conscious
Bike safety is a key concern, especially in the big cities. Aside from a good lock (more on this later), there are other ways to secure your bike.
Folding bikes are a great option for cities as you can fold them up and keep them with you in class or at home with no need to lock them outside. They can also be taken on public transport if a portion of your journey requires it making them an incredibly versatile option for students at University or College.
Folding bikes start at around £700 for the more basic ones and start from about £1450 for the super compact Brompton Bikes.
Rural Campuses
For those that need to travel on mixed terrain, a mountain bike might be the best option. These bikes can be taken on tarmac and on rougher off-road trails and terrain. A great option for those that travel on a number of different surfaces. These style of bikes also provide the option to do rougher leisure cycles on gravel and trails in your free time.
Mountain bikes start from around £550 for a basic, but still good quality, bike. As always, keep an eye on the latest sale for lower prices.
Electric Bikes
In hilly cities, electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular due to the assistance these give, especially on hills. The price may put off most students but they are worth including in here just to illustrate their benefits - less effort between A and B, less sweaty when you reach your destination, and acceleration from a stopped start (great for confidence in busy traffic).
There are many other styles not mentioned here such as road bikes that any of our staff members would be happy to take you through to see if these are the best option for you.
Essential Accessories
There are one or two accessories that we consider to be essential when cycling to and from Uni or College. There are only really tthree in our opinion - locks, helmets and lights.
Locks
Unfortunately, Uni and College campuses are hot zones for bike theft due to the number of unsecured bikes in these areas. It is for this reason we recommend a good lock to act as a deterrant to would-be thieves - the stronger the lock, the better.
This is certainly one area we would encourage anyone, not just students, to spend a little more on. D-locks offer more security than cable locks but we would advise to look out for the "Sold Secure" logo which tells you the quality of the lock by ranking them Bronze, Silver, Gold and Diamond.
Helmets
We are big advocates that all cyclists wear helmets whenever they cycle to protect the head, brain, neck and back, in the event of a spill. They are not massively exensive with excellent quality helmets with MIPS technology available for just £45.
Lights
We would recommend bike lights all day as these increase visibiility significantly but if you are cycling at night then lights are not just a must, they are a legal requirement. This aside, they make you safer which is the main point here by making you more visible to other road users. Of course, if you are cycling on unlit roads, they allow you to see where you are going.
Non Esssentials but highly recommended
There are some extras that are not necessarily essential but will make your life, as a student, much easier. A pannier rack can be useful to carry bags to class or a waterproof jacket to stay dry when it's wet out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the top questions related to students cycling.
What's the best type of bike for a UK university student on a budget?
You can get a good quality hybrid bike for between £500 and £600 but you can sometimes pay less if you find a bike in our sale.
How do I keep my bike secure on campus?
We discussed this above but there are a couple of options - the first is to invest in a strong lock and be diligent in locking your bike through the frame and on to something immovable. The second is to invest in a folding bike that you can take inside with you whether on campus or at home or in a flat.
Are electric bikes worth it for hilly campus areas like Edinburgh?
The short answer to this is 'yes' but you do have pay significantly more for the electrical assistance and this usually puts electric bikes out of a student's budget. Electric bikes start from around £2000 for a good quality ebike.
What's the best bike for international students who can't take it home?
This really depends on the particular circumstances. If this is a 6-month stay then hire bikes or second-hand bikes would be a decent option over a new bike. If it is for 4 years or more then all of the previous information applies. A cheaper hybrid will still last that time and will easily justify the cost.
How do I maintain my bike during Scottish winters?
We acknowledge that it's hard to be motivated to clean a bike and at winter this is even harder again. The minimum really is to keep the moving parts such as the chain and cassette clean and lubed to ensure longevity and less cost of replacement parts in the long run. Alternatively, you could visit any of our workshops for their assistance.
How do I know what size bike I need for university commuting?
The absolute best answer to this is to pop into one of our stores to chat with our staff members and sit on some bikes to determine the correct size. If this is not possible, you can find a size chart here but please remember these charts are a guide only. Please do get in touch if you have any queries.