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Cycling in Glasgow: Is it Worth it?
Cyclingin Glasgow Is it Worth it?
Regardless of whether you’re just starting at GCU, or continuing your studies, you might be looking for a convenient mode of transport. Here is all you need to know about getting to university by bike.
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THE BIKE
First of all, you need something to cycle on. For students with a tight budget, a second hand bike is a popular choice. You can search for one either online, or at a bike shop (for example Bike for Good on Haugh Road). GCU hosts a bike pop up shop scheduled for Tuesday 25th of September outside the Security Office between 10:00 – 14:00, so keep your eyes peeled for it. A decent used bike can cost between £30 and £70. However, a cheap bike may require expensive repairs. Most of all, beware the rust! A little bit of surface rust is fine, but do not get tricked into buying a bike with rusted chain or chain rings. Remember to buy a quality lock that will be hard to break for potential thieves.
If you are or know a refugee seeking a bike, contact the Bikes for Refugees organisation at bfrscotland@gmail.com.
You could also try renting one of the Next Bike city bikes and choose either the Annual Membership that for GCU students and staff is £30 (rather than £60) or Pay as You Ride option.
THE TRAFFIC
I am not going to lie, the Glaswegian traffic can be pretty tough for cyclists. I have personally been shouted at several times by both drivers and pedestrians for no reason. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the basics of the traffic law to cope with such arguments. Check out different route options in order to find the safest one. Even though there are almost no cycling lanes in the city centre area, you can find shared use routes for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as bus lanes that can be only used by buses, bikes and taxis – however, a new cycling lane is expected to be unveiled on Sauchiehall Street next summer. Make sure to get a red rear light and a white front light if you are cycling in the evenings. There is no law in UK requiring cyclists to wear a bike helmet, but I strongly recommend wearing one while cycling on streets. THE UNIVERSITY
GCU is a very bike-friendly university, offering facilities such as bike parking places, lockers, showers, and even bike first aid kits you can borrow etc. The university also organizes many cycling related events, as well the Bike for Good stand that at shows up on campus at least once a month to fix your bike for free. You can also seek advice from the GCU’s Travel Advisors and Sustainability Officer Paulo Cruz. Go on www.gcu.ac.uk/cycling to learn more.
THE ACTIVITY
For every cyclist there are better and worse weeks. Sometimes, I get really annoyed by the Glaswegian car drivers or become simply too tired to cycle after a short sleep. However, even though I started cycling to save money, it quickly became a passion of mine and a great way to distress after a long day at the uni. Scotland offers great traffic-free cycling routes that are part of the National Cycle Network, created by a charity organization called Sustrans. Make sure to check
out National Routes number 7, 75 and 754 that go
through Glasgow. I especially recommend the routes by the Forth and Clyde Canal.
If you feel sociable, you can join Facebook groups such as GCU Cycling Forum and Belles on Bikes GCU. There are also various cycling and triathlon clubs and meet up groups around the city.
In the end, answering the title question goes to you. Some will find cycling in Glasgow too stressful, others relaxing. Personally, I would strongly recommend cycling in Glasgow to anyone who doesn’t feel too anxious about the traffic. Others might want to check out different modes of transportation or stick to recreational cycling on traffic-free paths.
PROS
Bike-friendly university Healthy activity, improved wellbeing Free exercise Money saving mode of transport National Cycling Network
CONS
Busy traffi c, possible accidents Bike ownership and maintenance costs Rainy weather, ice on streets in the winter Unfriendly car drivers and pedestrians Feeling tired
Next Bike stand near the Buchanan Bus Station vis-à-vis the university.
Photography (above) by Thomas Nugent
Useful links and contacts
GCU’s Sustainability Offi cer Paulo Cruz
sustainability@gcu.ac.uk www.gcu.ac.uk /cycling
www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map
www.nextbike.co.uk/en/glasgow
www.bikeforgood.org.uk
Bikes for Refugees – Scotland SCIO
