Brunel’s bid to bring a new ‘Boris Bike’ scheme to campus has entered the final straight, with only £16,000 left to raise.
Brunel University London, along with Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Hillingdon Council, are currently taking on the Santander University Cycle Challenge – a new scheme which will see UK two universities provided with their own fleet bikes.
The challenge sees five universities vying for a capital investment worth over £100,000, with funding going to the two institutions that are able to crowdfund the scheme’s running costs soonest. Brunel is still vying for top spot, having already raised over £32,000 of the £48,650 target. The funding window closes on 8 December.
If Brunel and its local partners are successful, docking stations with payment points will be installed at several locations on campus, with further stations made available near Uxbridge station in the town centre, and outside Hillingdon Hospital.
50 bikes would initially be available under the scheme, which it’s hoped will increase cycling between the three locations, taking cars off the road and helping people stay fit.
Deputy Vice Chancellor at Brunel University, Professor Bill Leahy, said: “The benefits that cycling brings to our health are obvious, but this scheme is more than that – it’s an opportunity to connect the university, the hospital and the rest of the town in a way that can only benefit the whole community.
“The competition is fierce, but I think Uxbridge has what it takes to make this amazing opportunity happen.”
If Brunel is successful, a contract will be drawn up with the scheme provider, nextbike, and the docking station and bikes will be installed in early Spring 2018.
Union of Brunel Students President Pauldy Otermans said: "This is a chance for us to make real change, not just for our students, but for our entire community. The university is completely behind it, so let's get these bikes to Uxbridge!"
To support Brunel’s bid, visit the ‘Brunel Bike’ Crowdfunder page https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brunelbikes
Reported by:
Tim Pilgrim,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268965
tim.pilgrim@brunel.ac.uk