Here's everything you need to know about how to store your bike and stay safe when cycling to UAL sites.
Getting around London on a bike is cheap, fun, healthy and environmentally responsible. Cycling has a smaller carbon footprint than walking or taking the bus. Choosing a bike over a car just once a day reduces an average person’s carbon emissions from transport by 67%.
Getting started cycling
- Book free Transport for London cycling lessons, suitable for beginners and experienced cyclists.
- Buying a second-hand bike can save money and reduce waste. Always buy from a trusted seller and check the bike isn't stolen. Test ride the bike and have it serviced if needed.
- Students may be eligible for discounts on shared bikes, such as unlimited Santander bike rides for £90 a year, and 50% off Forest bike and Lime bike hire.
- Join the UAL Cyclists group on Microsoft Teams for useful information and support.
E-bikes and e-scooters
E-bikes and e-scooters use lithium-ion batteries, which can cause serious fires if they are damaged, changed or charged the wrong way. To stay safe:
- buy from trusted sellers
- follow the manufacturer's instructions
- use the correct battery and charger.
Privately owned e-scooters are illegal to ride on public roads and cycle lanes. Only rental e-scooters from authorised schemes such as Lime and VOI can be used legally. Riders must hold a valid UK driving licence to rent.
E-bike policy at UAL
Due to the fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries:
- E-bikes are allowed to be brought onto UAL sites only if they are stored in external bike parking.
- E-bikes and their batteries must not be taken inside UAL buildings, including indoor cycle stores.
- If you bring an e-bike onto campus and store it externally, you must not bring the e-bike's battery into the building with you under any circumstances.
- E-bikes and e-scooters are not permitted in halls of residence.
- Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters are always permitted at all UAL sites.
Stay safe on the roads
Cycling
- Always wear a helmet.
- Use bike lights and wear bright or reflective clothing. At night it’s a legal requirement to have 2 bike lights (white on the front and red on the back).
- Keep your distance from buses and large vehicles, as they may turn suddenly and not see you. Remember, in the UK we drive on the left.
- Ride a door’s width away from parked cars.
- Don’t cycle on the pavement unless it’s a designated cycle path.
- Signal clearly and use your bell to warn pedestrians, who may not see you.
- Plan your route before you set off by choosing quiet streets, dedicated cycleways and routes that match your confidence and experience. Use maps or cycling apps to help you find the safest option.
- Many local councils offer free Dr Bike repair sessions for fixing your bike. Find the next session on Cycle Confident or on your local council’s website.
Walking
- Take care when crossing the road. Always try to cross at marked crossing points and remember to look both ways.
- At night, try to stick to busy places where there is a lot of activity and good lighting.
- The Met Police advise all Londoners not to text while walking, and to look out for bikes and mopeds.
Protect your bike
- You can get your bike security marked and registered at BikeRegister or at Immobilise.
- It's a good idea to record details of your bike such as the frame number (normally found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back-wheel slots in), the bike registration number and any other distinguishing features. Take a photo.
- When storing your bike, lock the frame and both wheels to the cycle parking stand.
- Where possible, lock your bike at secure cycle parking which is well lit and covered by CCTV.
- Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street.
- Before you purchase a bike, ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on BikeRegister.
- Consider cycle insurance to cover theft or damage.
Cycling facilities at UAL
We encourage our community to cycle whenever possible. Bike storage options at provided at all Colleges and halls of residence.
Find cycling parking, showers and shared bike bay locations at UAL sites on UAL Active Travel Map.
Find an accessibility guide for UAL sites on AccessAble.
Academic sites
Camberwell College of Arts
- Peckham Road
- Outdoor bike shelter: 216 spaces (E-bikes allowed). Bring your bike through reception to access the shelter in the courtyard.
- Showers: 3
- Wilson Road
- Outdoor bike stand: 70 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
Central Saint Martins
- King’s Cross
- Indoor bike store: 276 spaces. Email infrastructure@csm.arts.ac.uk to apply for access rights. Then enter via the bicycle turnstiles in The Crossing using your student or staff ID card.
- Accessible showers: 1
- There are multiple outdoor bike stands outside of the campus available for e-bikes. They are located across the King’s Cross estate, including Granary Square, Bagley Walk, Handyside Street and Stable Street.
- Archway
- Outdoor bike stand: 16 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
Chelsea College of Arts
- Outdoor bike stand: 82 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Showers: 3
London College of Communication
- Current campus
- Outdoor bike stand: 232 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Future campus
- Outdoor bike shelter: 19 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Accessible showers: 1
- Indoor bike store: 291 spaces
- Showers: 7
London College of Fashion
- Indoor bike store: 138 spaces. Access is via the entrance at the back of the building on Carpenter's Road.
- Showers: 9
- Accessible showers: 2
- There are multiple outdoor bike stands outside of the building available for e-bikes. They are located at the front and rear of the building, as well as nearby Endeavour Square and outside the London Aquatics Centre.
Wimbledon College of Arts
- Outdoor bike stand: 47 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Showers: 2
- Accessible showers: 2
High Holborn
- Indoor bike store: 17 spaces
- Showers: 1
- There are multiple outdoor bike stands outside of the building available for e-bikes. They are located directly in front of the building and nearby on Red Lion Street and Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
UAL School of Pre-degree Studies (Lime Grove)
- Outdoor bike stand: 140 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Outdoor bike shelter: 118 spaces (E-bikes allowed)
- Accessible showers: 1
Halls of residence
E-bikes and e-scooters are not allowed in any of the halls of residence.
Archwood House
Outdoor bike stand: 160 spaces
Emily Bowes Court
Indoor bike store: 50 spaces
Gardens House
Indoor bike store: 50 spaces
Outdoor bike shelter: 216 spaces (shared with Camberwell College of Arts)
Glassyard Building
Outdoor bike stand: 60
Hawthorne House
Indoor bike store: 555 spaces (including 28 accessible spaces)
Highline Building
Indoor bike store: 20 spaces
Portland House
Outdoor bike shelter: 40 spaces
Outdoor bike stand: 4 spaces
Signal House
Indoor bike store: 56 spaces
Sketch House
Indoor bike store: 50 spaces
Stratford One
Indoor bike store: 75 spaces
The Costume Store
Indoor bike store: 50 spaces
Town Hall Camberwell
Indoor bike store: 63 spaces
Outdoor bike stand: 34 spaces
Wick Park
Indoor bike store: 250 spaces
YourTRIBE Elephant & Castle
Indoor bike store: 164 spaces (including 132 spaces of 2-tier stands and 10 accessible spaces)
YourTRIBE Southwark
Indoor bike store: 35 spaces
Outdoor bike stand: 20 spaces