Cycling
Cycling to, from and between campuses is one of the most environmentally sustainable methods of transport. It’s also cheaper than public transport, and good for your health. The University of Westminster provides facilities for cyclists at most campuses. But stay safe on the roads – read our security and safety tips below.
Facilities by campus
- Cavendish
- Great Portland Street
- Harrow
- Little Titchfield Street
- Marylebone
- Regent Street
- Wells Street
- Chiswick Sports Grounds
Cavendish – 115 New Cavendish Street
| Faciltiy |
Space available |
|---|---|
| University bicycle racks |
30 |
| Lockers |
16 |
| Showers |
5 |
| Barclays TfL cycle hire scheme |
There is provision for 19 bicycles at a docking station on New Cavendish Street. |
The bicycle racks and showers are located in the basement of the building. To get into the basement, take your student ID card to reception and ask for basement access to be added.
Great Portland Street
There are three council-provided bicycle racks on the street outside the University building. Here’s a map of Westminster Council's street racks in the West End .
Harrow
| Faciltiy | Space available |
|---|---|
| University bicycle racks | 130 |
| Showers | 10 |
There are a number of places you can park your bike on the Harrow campus. There is room for 70 bikes near the entrance to the lecture theatres (next to a wall). There is room for ten bicycles near the lift entrance to the Maria Hewlett building (next to the glass windows). On the roadside near the roundabout footpath is room for another ten bicycles and alongside the delivery entrance of the Maria Hewlett building are another ten spaces.
There are five showers for men and five for women inside the Harrow campus gym.
Little Titchfield Street
The closest bicycle rack to the Little Titchfield St campus is on Middleton Place, off Langham Street. There are also a number of racks on Langham Street and they can be viewed on this Westminster Council cycle stand map.
Marylebone
| Faciltiy | Space available |
|---|---|
| University bicycle racks | 107 |
| Lockers | 60 |
| Showers | 5 |
| Barclays TfL cycle hire scheme | There is provision for 19 bicycles at a docking station on Marylebone Road. |
There are two areas on campus to park your bike. One is through the Luxborough Street gates, on your left at the bottom of the descending ramp. This space requires no special access to be added to your student ID card.
The other area – with showers, lockers and bicycle storage space – is located in the basement underneath the Luxborough Suite. Access to the space is either from the east podium via the new lift entrance or by the ramp ascending to a side entrance on Luxborough Street.
Entrance into the building is controlled by your student ID card. You’ll need to report to Marylebone reception to have access to the shower facilities added.
There are separate male and female facilities with showers and lockers. The lockers are not intended for long term use but only for the time that you are in the shower. If you intend to use a locker you will have to provide your own lock.
Regent Street
| Faciltiy | Space available |
|---|---|
| Showers | 10 |
| Barclays TfL cycle hire scheme | There is provision for 12 bicycles at a docking station on Portland Place. |
There are five showers for men and five for women inside the Regent Street gym. The gym is located in the basement of 309 Regent Street.
Wells Street
There are no street racks on Wells Street, but there are a number nearby on Mortimer Street, Great Titchfield Street and Oxford Street. There are also bicycles available through the Barclays TfL cycle hire scheme.
Chiswick Sports Ground
| Faciltiy | Space available |
|---|---|
| University bicycle racks | 34 |
| Showers | 9 |
The bicycle racks are at ground level, under the balcony of the pavilion. There are nine showers for men and five for women inside the changing rooms at the Chiswick Sports Ground.
Safety and security
Safety
Be seen. This may sound obvious but during the dark winter nights it is dangerous to wear dark clothing – other road users simply cannot see you. Buy and wear high visibility clothing or, if you don't want to do that, buy high visibility stickers for your bike and stick them everywhere.
During the summer daylight lasts longer and your primary concern will be to keep cool. Try fingerless mitts during summer as they will still help protect you if you have a fall. Wearing a helmet is not mandatory in the UK.
Good quality cycling clothing is available almost anywhere and there are a number of cycling stores near the University’s campuses. This kit will last, and if you invest in weather-proofed items it will make the riding during the winter months more pleasant. It could increase the number of days you can cycle.
Security
A bicycle can be a big investment and you need to make sure that someone else can not steal your treasured possession. As a rule of thumb, the cycling shops reckon that you should spend 10 per cent of the value of the bike on security. This might mean that you have to buy a good quality "D" lock and even an extension cable (if you have quick release wheels then these are an easy target for thieves). Try and park your bike where there is good street lighting and security cameras.
The West End is a bicycle thief's paradise, so take precautions and lock up. If a front wheel is stolen it could cost you a fair bit of money; the wheel, plus a new tyre and a new inner tube. This, plus the inconvenience of not being able to use the bike until it’s fixed, is a big hint to be prepared and lock up.
