Sustainable transport charity Sustrans has delivered four bicycle work stations to universities and colleges in Cornwall. The workstations allow students & staff to make minor repairs to their bikes to help them to cycle to and from their place of education.

The open access work stations consist of an integrated work stand, high pressure pump and essential bike tools and are bolted to the ground.

The stations have been installed at Falmouth University, University of Exeter-Penryn Campus, Truro College-Threemilestone campus and Cornwall College’s Camborne campus.

They are thought to be the first of their type to be installed in the county and have been funded through the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport fund. Sustrans, whose work in Cornwall has been funded through the DfT, is working with these institutions to promote cycling, walking, public transport and car sharing to help reduce congestion on Cornish roads.

Nick Ratcliffe, Sustrans Project officer, said “We are very excited to have been able to supply this innovative equipment, as soon as they were installed they were being used!”

Marja Van Loef, Travel plan coordinator at the universities said “Thanks to Sustrans we now have two new cycle maintenance stations at our campuses in Falmouth and Penryn. Whether you need to adjust your brakes, tighten a nut or pump up your tyres – simply pop along and use the stations for free.”

Nat Mitchell, Student Liaison and Marketing Co-ordinator,said “We are thrilled to be able to install a cycle work station at Cornwall College Camborne to support our student and staff cycling community. We are grateful to the work that Sustrans have done to promote sustainable transport within our College and community. Enabling cycle users to make repairs where necessary to maintain the safety of themselves on their journeys.”

Sally Hocking, Estates administrator at Falmouth University said “The new cycle work station has been a really welcome addition to the cycling facilities we are able to offer at Falmouth Campus and many thanks to Sustrans for making this happen - we hope that it will further encourage our staff and students to choose cycling to campus as a real option.”

Jane Cashmore, Director of operations at Truro & Penwith College said ”We are delighted at the support and advice Nick and Sustrans have given to Truro College; the new work station will give our cyclists even greater confidence in being able to use their cycles safely for getting to college and work.”

Sustrans is working with schools and colleges in Cornwall to provide young people and staff with the skills and information to allow them to make more active and sustainable journeys to their place of study on a regular basis