We actively encourage staff and students to use active modes of transport, and as part of this, it is crucial that all road users are considerate to one another. Active travel such as walking and cycling is good for our health and good for the planet, but it’s important we know the rules and laws of the road to ensure we all stay safe.
We’ve compiled some tips below to help you stay safe on campus and on the surrounding roads.
Walking and cycling
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Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing to help other road users see you in daylight and poor light, whilst wearing reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) to increase your visibility in the dark.
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At night, cyclists MUST have white front and red rear lights lit. It must also be fitted with a red rear reflector. This is required by law.
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Pedestrians should try and avoid walking on the road and use designated pathways and crossing points.
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Cyclists should give way to pedestrians at crossings.
As part of Road Safety Week, our Security team will be running their ‘Lights on Bikes’ scheme and stopping cyclists that do not have lights on campus and issuing tickets. Lights can be purchased at cost price from the Security Gatehouse throughout the year.
High-visibility jackets will also be available to pick up from the following locations:
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Security Gatehouse
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Health and Safety Office (next to the Student Accommodation Office)
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West Park Teaching Hub
Driving
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Leave at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking cyclists and pedestrians.
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Give way to pedestrians at crossings.
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Wait at wider points in the road for larger vehicles to pass.
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Our campus speed limit is 15mph (and 5mph in student accommodation areas such as the Student Village and Claudia Parsons Hall) and we remind drivers to always stick to this limit.
Drivers are also encouraged to consider the following:
Move
- Think about how you move safely onto, around and away from our campus
Learn
- Commit to undertaking the pledge for road safety by undertaking online training
- Be Bike Smart
- Share your feedback about the changes to the Highway Code through this survey
Watch
- Check your speed and stopping distance – slowing down gives you more time to act
- Look out for walkers, runners and cyclists
- Always drive at speeds appropriate to the road conditions
Think
- Consider our campus users and ensure you move safely and appropriately
- See and be seen: with darker mornings and evenings, it’s vital your lights are fully operational and your windscreens are clear
- Keep alert on your speed, any distractions, the maintenance of your vehicle, how tired you are and your environmental impact
Future
- Report anything which may be of concern to you so we can continuously improve our roads.