Where possible, please consider walking or cycling to University campuses. By doing so you will help to reduce the amount of carbon we generate and the amount congestion on our campuses, as well as reducing the cost of your commute.
We provide a number of secure cycle sheds across University sites for staff and student use.
Walking between campuses is often the quickest (and most direct) way to travel.
If you would like to walk for recreation, Southampton Common is located on the western boundary of the Highfield Campus and offers a number of scenic routes.
‘My Journey’ website provides further details on recreational walking in Southampton.
Visit Southampton provides more information, including an interactive map of the Common and surrounding open spaces.
University Campuses are included in directional signage and map totems across Southampton.
Our Winchester campus is an easy 15 minute walk from Winchester rail station (located north-west of the city centre) and the bus station (located opposite the Guildhall). Visit Winchester provides maps of the city centre.
Southampton has an extensive cycle network, made up of off-road routes and quiet roads. My Journey provides details of routes across the city.
For information on cycling facilities and routes in Winchester, please visit the Winchester City Council website.
We work closely with Southampton City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Winchester City Council to explore ways to improve the cycle network around our campuses. If you are a cyclist and you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to contact us.
We provide a number of secure cycle sheds across University sites for staff and student use. To locate the bicycle stores and showers available across our campuses please use our Campus Map system and select bicycle store or shower from the drop down POI categories menu at the top of the page.
University staff and students that cycle to University sites can access secure cycle stores across all campuses and halls of residences using their I.D. cards.
If you would like access to the secure cycle stores, please email your name and student/staff I.D. number to uni-cycle@soton.ac.uk. Access will be placed onto your ID card remotely. Please allow 48 hours for your card to be updated.
For information about the layout and design of University cycle stores, please view the Cycle Storage Standard Specification.
The University offers a cycle to work scheme for staff run by Cyclescheme.co.uk. This scheme gives University employees access to tax savings on the purchase of a bike and/or cycle accessories through your salary, typically saving 30-40% of the cost. For more information, and to take part in scheme, please visit the employee benefits website.
For your own safety please insure that you are visible (especially when riding in the dark).
Reflective snap bands, bag covers, LED lights, helmets and locks are available in the Unilink Office and the SU shop in building 57.
The University works closely with the Police to both inform cyclists of the need to secure their bike and deter would-be thieves from operating on our campuses. It is advisable that cyclists use the University's cycle stores and only use 'D Type' locks for security (these can be purchased at a discounted rate at the Unilink Office).
For advice on bicycle theft prevention, please download the Security tips for cyclists leaflet.
The Bike Doctor is a scheme offered to students and staff to service your bike for free. It is situated outside the Student Union on Highfield Campus on a fortnightly basis.
You can bring your bike between the hours of 10am and 2pm, and the Bike Doctor will check brakes, gears and tyres to ensure your bike is ready to ride. The Bike Doctor will only charge for any parts that are needed.
Upcoming Bike Doctor sessions for 2024 will be on:
The aim of the Uni-Cycle project is to promote cycling, enhance safety and reduce the amount of bikes abandoned around campus. The project is run between the University's Transport Team, student volunteers and a local cycle shop. Refurbishments are carried out by a qualified bike engineer, who also provides a bi-monthly ‘Bike Doctor’ service where staff and students can bring their bikes for free safety checks and quick repairs. visit the unilink office in B57 for more details.
The project also provides subsidised bike locks, lights and cycle training with support from Hampshire Constabulary and Sustrans. Bikes that are not suitable for resale are used for parts or donated to charities across the UK and Africa and any remaining metal is recycled so that nothing goes to waste.
The scheme has refurbished over 100 bikes that have been sold to University staff and students as cheaply as possible, (typically £30-£50).
Uni-cycle recovers bikes from university sites and from donations around Southampton. If you would like to donate a bike please email unicycle@soton.ac.uk for further details.