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Cycling to UAL

bike on display

Cycling and road safety

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%.

Here's everything you need to know about how to store your bike and stay safe when cycling to UAL sites.

Your journey

Cycling

  • 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.
  • Always wear a helmet.
  • Use bike lights and bright or reflective clothing if cycling at night or in bad weather.
  • Signal clearly and use your bell to warn pedestrians, who may not see you.
  • Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, you might benefit from Transport for London cycling lessons.

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.

Report a bike theft

Report a crime online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Registering and storing 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. Read the UAL Cycle Storage Guide (PDF 35KB).
  • 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.

Access support

  • In an emergency, always call 999.
  • If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the Police textphone service 18000 or text them on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the Relay emergency SMS service.
  • If your bike has been stolen, you can report this online or call Police on 101.
  • If you would like to speak with a trained counsellor for support, free, one-to-one, confidential counselling is available to all UAL students.
  • Students can also use the Tell Someone service to report racism, bullying, harassment or sexual violence and access support.

Counselling

Free, one-to-one, confidential counselling is available to all students.