Cycle courses, points and prizes in Ride to Work week 13-17 March

Thursday, 09 March 2017

A special week of cycling activities will take place on campus from Monday 13 – Friday 17 March.

As part of ‘Ride to Work’ week we have a number of offers and incentives for staff and students to encourage you to get on your bike.

BikeSmart Reading now live

Places are still available in the newly launched ‘points mean prizes’ scheme for cycling in Reading and get rewarded for sustainable travel!

Download the app to your phone and once activated it logs your cycle journeys automatically so you don’t have to do anything else apart from cycle (you can turn this off and do it manually if you prefer). The app is an updated –new and improved- version of the Betterpoints app that some of you may be familiar with from previous years. It lets you spend the points in high street shops, restaurants, or you can donate them to charity.

In addition to collecting points to spend on rewards there is a monthly prize draw including the chance to win a bike.

Every cycle journey above 1 mile recorded on the app gives you an entry into the draw. The scheme run until the end of July, but there is an additional prize available just for University for staff and students signing up with our special University promo code during March. A promo code is available to University staff - please contact travel@reading.ac.uk for details. Sign up with the code for your chance to win Oracle shopping centre gift vouchers.

Improve your cycling

Fun skills sessions are available at different levels with the BikeSmart Reading scheme, from beginner to advanced (bikes can be provided on request). You even get extra points worth £5 for taking part.

We have various courses scheduled to take place at the University on Wednesday 15 March (running from outside Palmer Building from 12.00pm –4.00pm).

If there are spaces you may be able to participate on the day, but please register in advance to avoid disappointment by emailing bikesmartreading@betterpoints.uk or via the BikeSmart Reading website.

Wednesday 15 March - Dr Bike and cycle tips and giveaways. Cycle your own smoothie

On Wednesday 15 March we will have our regular Dr Bike session, 10.00am –2.00pm outside the Palmer Building. Come and get your bike a free check-up ahead of all the rides you’re going to be doing. Come and pick up some tips and freebies from our local road safety Council officers. Cycle yourself a smoothie – you deserve one!

Love to Ride prizes in Ride to Work Week

Those who are super keen on bigger prizes (including a cycling holiday to Cuba!) can also log their cycle rides with Love to Ride in order to enter their national prize draws. This is a nationwide draw only available to rides logged with them between Monday 13 – Sunday 19 March. They will also be running an additional challenge across Reading with more prizes throughout June. Sign up at Love to Ride Reading.