Active Travel

If you don’t have your own bike, you can hire one of our Santander Cycles.

There are hubs located on both our campuses (additional hubs are at: Southend in Mumbles, Waterfront Museum, Civic Centre, Fabian Way Park & Ride). 

As part of a staff and student wellbeing offer, Swansea University students and staff get a free annual membership, which means the first 30 minutes of every ride is free, with each 30 minutes thereafter just 50p!

How to Get Your Swansea University FREE Annual Subscription.

If you haven’t already registered for the scheme, just follow these simple steps:

Sign Up

1. Download the latest version of the nextbike app to register and have access to the newest features (available on iOS and Android). Alternatively, you can do it on the website: wsantandercycles.co.uk. Don’t forget to accept the Ts&Cs.
2. Once registered, select ‘Activate Account’.
3. Complete the ‘Profile Fields’. Remember to register with your @44presidentscoming.com email address.
4. Select ‘Unlock Options’ and enter your payment details. A £5 deposit is required to verify your information and will become a credit on your account. Note: Prepaid cards are NOT accepted. For more information, please refer to our T&Cs or email us at customerservice@nextbike.co.uk
5. Verify your account by clicking on the link sent to you via email.

Note: To redeem your subscription, you must be registered with your @44presidentscoming.com email address. Membership rates apply to the first bike you hire. All additional rentals will be charged at the standard Pay As You Ride rate. By renting for more than 24 hours, you will be charged for the whole next day.

If you’re already registered with your Swansea Uni address:

If you’re already signed up with your Swansea Uni address, nextbike will need to reverify your account. You should have received an email from nextbike (you may need to check your junk mail). Make sure you verify your email and then the free subscription will be added.

If you’re registered with a personal email address (other than @44presidentscoming.com):

If you registered using your own personal email address, the system will not recognise you as a student or staff member at Swansea Uni. You’ll need to change your email to your @44presidentscoming.com email address in the app. You’ll receive an email from nextbike asking you to verify your email. Once you’ve done that your subscription will be applied.

If you have any queries, nextbike’s customer service team can help: customerservice@nextbike.co.uk 

00 44 20 8166 9851.

Where Can I Go?

You can go anywhere you like on your Santander Cycle – it's up to you! The bikes really are a great way of getting around and exploring Swansea. Maybe you'd like to take in the sights of Mumbles, or enjoy a gentle ride along Swansea promenade? If you're looking for some ride inspiration, have a look at this handy electronic cycle route map. Just make sure you return your Santander cycle to an official docking station when you’re done, that the bike's computer says returned and you physically check your nextbike is locked before leaving the station. 

Where Can I Find Out More?

You can find out everything you need to know about registering for Santander Cycles Swansea, including information on how to find, rent, park and return the bikes over on the scheme website. 

You can view the location of cycle racks and shower facilities below:

• Singleton Park Campus Cycle Parking Type and Locations
• Singleton Park Campus Cycle Rack Locations
• Singleton Park Campus Shower Facility Provision

You can view the location of cycle racks and shower facilities below:

• Bay Campus Cycle Rack Locations and Schedule
• Bay Campus Shower Facilities

The Swansea cycling infrastructure is developing all the time. Cycling to, from and between our campuses is convenient and easy and great for physical and mental wellbeing.

The red cycle route links our two campuses, with an estimated cycle time of 27 minutes from campus to campus. Check out the Swansea Cycle Map below:

• Swansea Cycle Map

The links below provide lots more information about where you can cycle (and walk) in and around Swansea:

• Cycle Swansea Bay Map from NPTC
• Swansea Bayways
• Cycle Streets

We work closely with our local Community Police Support Officers to help you keep your bikes safe.

We hold regular bike marking events on campus throughout the year - keep an eye out here for updates on forthcoming events.

In the meantime, read our Bike Safety Tips and take a look at the 11 step M check from Sustrans.

As well as the Cycle to Work Scheme, you can also benefit from a range of discounts at local cycling stores by showing your staff/student ID card:

Check out these great bikes and accessory discounts below.

Our programme of Led Rides, which is aimed at University students, staff and members of the local community, aims to support and promote cycling by providing beginner and intermediate level cyclists with improved ability, increased confidence and knowledge of road safety, through participation in led cycle rides.

We currently have twenty Ride Leaders at the University, qualified through the Ride Leadership Award to take groups on guided rides in and around the City. Ride Leaders are qualified to deliver guided bike rides for groups of beginner and intermediate level adults and accompanied children on roads and cycle paths, up to a maximum distance of 50 miles. 

Led Rides

We run an ongoing programme of led rides throughout the year for students, staff and the community to enjoy. There are different rides for different abilities, covering a range of distances, including commuter rides and social rides to Mumbles, the City Centre and beyond.

Participating in Led Rides with qualified leaders is great for beginners and for those who need to build up a bit more confidence on the roads. It's the perfect way to build your cycling skills in a supportive and welcoming environment; and it's also a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, while getting a good dose of fresh air and physical exercise.

But I don't own a bike?

Don't worry! If you don’t own your own bike, you can still join a ride by hiring a Santander Cycle.

The team list all their rides on British Cycling's Let's Ride website - it's really easy to find and join one of the rides. 

In line with the Welsh Government’s Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013, Swansea Council has committed to providing and promoting active travel routes across the City and County of Swansea. This means that more of us can easily and safely commute by foot and bicycle.

Swansea Council has been investing in the Swansea Bayways Walk Cycle Network with over 118km of high quality walking and cycling routes and infrastructure. More routes are being added all the time to allow more and more people to get involved!

We hope to inspire you to give the new network a try for your short, everyday journeys. Perhaps walking or cycling will soon become your preferred way of getting to work and getting around – even if it’s just a few times a week, together we can make a huge difference!

Find out more about the Swansea Bayways walk and cycle network here.