Cycling and walking
It’s easy to get around campus by bike or foot. It's just a 15-minute bike ride or 30-minute walk from Campus West to the city centre.
There are several off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes offering safe access into and around York. It’s a great way to reduce your carbon emissions, and keep fit and healthy too!
Travel tips
- We encourage you to cycle where possible and bring a bike to campus
- We have over 5,000 cycle parking spaces and dedicated cycle routes
- It's a short walk between Campus East and West
- One way systems are in place on campus to help you get around safely.
Related links
Inter-campus route map
Our inter-campus guide will help you navigate your way across campus.
Walking or cycling could save you time in the long run. You’ll avoid queueing for the bus and will leave spaces available for those who need them the most. Keeping active is great for your physical and mental wellbeing and will help reduce your carbon footprint too.
, 208kb)Top tips for walking
Things to know:
- Walking to, from and around our scenic parkland campus is a great way to stay active
- There's lots of different routes you can take to get to Campus West to Campus East
- You can walk from the Library to the York Sport Village in about 35 minutes
- Our campus is compact meaning everything is in walking distance
- Walking is a great way to familiarise yourself with different areas and buildings on campus
- Our Campus Safety team frequently patrols campus during all hours, including all walking routes, making campus a safe place to walk
- You’ll encounter landscaped gardens, tranquil lakes and no doubt our vast wildlife. You might even be lucky enough to spot the Peregrine Falcon on Campus West!
Ana-Maria shows us how easy and pretty it is to walk between Campus West and East.
Bike parking and cycle pumps
Bicycle parking is widely available across campus. Most staff and students can also access a bike shed near your college or department; you’ll need your University card to gain access. There are several cycle pumps available across campus too.
Mobile bike pumps are also accessible across campus. To borrow a mobile bike pump, enter any reception and use your University card. You'll be asked to leave your card at reception and will be given it back once you return the pump.
View the locations of each on our cycling facilities google map.
| Map key | |
|---|---|
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Uncovered cycle storage |
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Covered cycle storage |
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Card-only access cycle storage |
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Cargo bike bay |
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Accessible bike bay |
Find out what helpful tips Jack has for cycling, and bike safety on campus.
Top tips for cycling
As a cycle friendly city, cycling to and from campus is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint.
Things to know:
- There's plenty of traffic-free cycle routes in York
- Joint cycle paths and footpaths are common
- Lots of bike parking spaces means you don't need to lock your bike to railings or random lamp posts on campus
- It takes less than ten minutes to bike from Campus West to East
- You have access to a card-only access bike shed for your college as a student
- Cycle equipment is available to purchase in the Piazza Mailroom or Dalham Farm Mailroom or YUSU Reception.
Don't forget to:
- Light up your bike in dark conditions to light up, be seen and avoid a £50 fine
- Purchase lights, locks and other necessary cycle equipment from the Piazza Mailroom or Dalham Farm Mailroom or YUSU Reception.
- Use two different types of locks; a D-Lock and a cable lock to secure your bike properly
- Insure your bike for peace of mind
Leaving your bike on campus over summer?
- Go to your college reception and ask the receptionist for a Summer storage tag, fill in the date and year of when you will return to collect your bike.
- It is your responsibility to secure your bike securely in a bike shed or secure hoop and to make sure it has a Summer storage tag attached to it.
- If you have any questions please email your college reception.
Abandoned bicycles
Bikes deemed to be abandoned will have a pink band put on the frame, asking the owner to remove the bicycle; if it isn't moved within 28 days the bike will be taken away. The University cannot be held liable for damage to locks.
All bikes are tagged before the end of summer vacation. If you're using your bike, simply remove the tag. Any bicycles booked into storage for the summer will not be removed.
Contact transport-team@york.ac.uk for more information or to report an abandoned bike.
How do you deem a bike to be abandoned?
Abandoned bikes are bikes that are in a poor state of repair. They may look old, have broken parts or have been in the same location for a prolonged period of time.
What we do with abandoned bicycles
All bikes deemed abandoned are sent to eBike Medic to be refurbished and re-sold at a reduced price at the Bike Doctor events on campus. Bikes are kept by eBike Medic for 14 days before any work is done to recycle them.
Protecting you and your bike
At night, or in poor light, it's a legal requirement that you have working front (white) and rear (red) lights. Cyclists can be fined £50 for not using lights or for cycling on the pavement.
Always take steps to protect your bike. If your bike is stolen, contact the police on 101 or via their loss reporting website.
- Take out insurance for your bike.
- Use two different types of secure-rated locks.
- Lock both the wheels and the frame.
- Lock the frame to a solid object such as a bike stand.
- Remove all your bike accessories every time you leave it.
- Make a note of your serial number.
- We will not accept liability for any loss or damage to bicycles on campus.
Discounted price cycling equipment
You can purchase bike locks (£10), helmets (£15), lights (£6-£12.50) and bells (£2.50) at a discounted price from the University mailroom or by emailing transport-team@york.ac.uk.
The Bike Doctor
Drop-in your bike at a monthly drop-in session between 10:30 and 4pm. You’ll be able to get a free basic service and pay for additional parts or repairs at a discounted price.
Book your place at a free Bike Doctor workshop or maintenance session to learn about in-depth bicycle maintenance.
Save money by cycling
- Just need a bike for a bit? Hire bikes as and when you need them via our cycle pool scheme.
- Looking to buy? Save up to 42% on purchasing a bike with the Cycletowork staff salary exchange scheme. Second hand refurbished bikes are also available to buy via our Bike Doctor Sessions.
Use an e-scooter or bike
E-scooters and e-bikes are a quick, easy and sustainable way to travel to the city centre or across campuses.
How it works
Before you are able to use an e-scooter you will need to download the TIER app and, if using a scooter, have your driving licence verified. We also strongly suggest that you complete the ride safe school resources (available on the app) before starting. There are multiple parking bays situated on campus and in the city, so make sure you check the TIER app before starting your ride to plan your journey.
Sustainable transport
Cycling, walking and reducing car use where possible can have both positive health and environmental benefits. The University has a variety of initiatives on offer to help you keep active and reduce your carbon footprint.