How to get around sustainably

Travel is essential to the everyday activities of the University’s staff and students. Efficient and accessible transport networks are one of the fundamental components of creating liveable, prosperous, and sustainable cities. As one of the largest institutions in Leeds, the University will continue to promote and operate using safe travel methods.

Our Sustainable Travel resource hub provides resources, support, and signposting to a wide range of travel support at the University.

Campus is full of sustainable travel infrastructure and evolving all the time. Check out our Sustainable Travel Map to find your nearest cycle parking, hygiene facilities, blue badge bays, Car Clubs, EV charging points, LNER e-bike dock, and much more.

The map is a product of collaborative effort and will be continually updated, so please email [email protected] if you spot anything missing or in need of updating.

Planning your route

Leeds is a compact city and easy to get around. Here are some handy links to help you plan the best route to campus or beyond:

• Google Maps provides information on the distance, time and elevation and you can easily add stops to your journey.
• Leeds City Council have suggested walking routes in Leeds.
• To plan your cycle route try the Cycle City Connect Journey Planner.
• Leeds Anchors Network have developed an Active Travel Hub Map to highlight where active travel support is across the city.

Safety and security

General safety advice can be found here.
Resources on cycle safety and security can be found here.

If you’re walking, wheeling, or running, then travelling with a buddy, and/or letting a friend or family member know of your planned travel routes can help you feel safer en-route to your destination.  Some phones and apps offer the opportunity to share your live location with someone you trust, for example via ‘Find My iPhone’ on Apple devices, or via the WhatsApp messenger service.

LUU operate a Night Bus during term time. More information on this, and other safety advice from LUU can be found here.

The Security Office on campus is located at 175 Woodhouse Lane, and can be contacted at [email protected], by 0113 343 5495 (non-emergencies), 0113 343 2222 (emergencies only), or by Whatsapp Video Call service: 07876 866747.

Active travel includes things like walking, wheeling, and cycling – anything that gets your body moving. Rollerskating, running, skateboarding - the list goes on!

Travelling actively is an environmentally and socially responsible way to get around; pollution is low, it's less noisy than cars and other motor vehicles, and it's a great way to keep fit, healthy, socialise and experience more of the city we work in.

• The University Bike Hub is open for bike hire, advice and maintenance skills development. University staff can also hire electric bikes to trial, and access secure cycle storage cages on campus. More information on the Bike Hub can be found here.
• Cycle maintenance stands are available across campus for all to use. You'll find them on the Sustainable Travel Map.
• A Cycle to Work scheme is also offered to staff.
• Campus hosts e-bike docking stations as part of the LNER Bikes scheme.
• City Connect offers free adult cycling classes with a qualified instructor across West Yorkshire.
• There are toilets in all buildings on campus, and changing rooms and showers in some of the buildings.
• Showers at The Edge are free before midday for our staff and students; after this time non-members will pay a fee of £1. You must present your staff or student card to gain access.
• Cycle facilities on campus include open and closed bike stands, bike repair stands and track pumps. We strongly recommend using a D-lock (or two) when securing your bike on campus to keep it safe. Learn more about cycle safety and security.
• We have partnered up with local running shop Yorkshire Runner to offer 15% off in store and online, plus free gait analysis. To gain the discount, simply show your University ID card in store or use the code ‘UOL15YR’ online.
• Many shops offer University discounts for students and in some cases staff as well, which can help you save money if you need to get kitted out. Also consider purchasing second-hand which can save you even more, as well as reducing the impact on the environment. Use a trusted platform and remember to keep yourself and your money safe.

 

Public transport includes things like buses, trains, and trams – anything that’s available to the public for a set fare and runs on a set route. Equitable public transport is key to ensuring an environmentally and socially responsible mobility system can be delivered.

Taking public transport is an environmentally and socially responsible way to get around; pollution is often lower than private vehicles, public transport help ease congestion, and it's a great way to socialise and experience the city we work in.

The University of Leeds is really well connected by public transport. Several buses run directly to the campus from Leeds City Centre and the surrounding area. If you’re travelling by train, Leeds railway station is a short walk, wheel, or cycle away, and inter-city buses operate from the main bus station, again a short walk, wheel, or cycle away.

There are a number of discounted travel pass options available to staff, and students can get discounted MCard tickets and First Bus tickets. 

For further information on rail services in Leeds and West Yorkshire, visit the Metro website or National Rail Enquiries. More information on bus travel can be found here: Buses | Metro

Travel by bus

Travelling to campus by bus is easy; buses run past the Parkinson Building every few minutes during the day.  

The Leeds Core Bus Network is made up of 18 bus lines, colour-coded for ease of use. For more information, please see the Leeds Core Bus Network. 

Park and Ride

By choosing Park and Ride, you can help reduce congestion and air pollution in the City Centre. There are three Park and Ride sites around the city where you can leave your car, then catch a bus into the city centre:

• Elland Road - For trips in from the west and south of Leeds.
• Temple Green - For trips in from the east and north of Leeds. 
• Stourton - For trips in from the south and southwest of Leeds.

You can then catch another bus up to campus, or walk, wheel, or cycle the last stretch of your journey. 

Travel by train

Leeds is well served by national train services. From the train station, it’s a short walk, wheel, or cycle to the campus. Alternatively, you could catch a bus up to campus for the last stretch of your journey. 

If you’re travelling by train, it’s worth considering a railcard.

We are committed to reducing the negative impacts of travel including congestion, carbon emissions, noise, and air pollution. For that reason, driving to the University other than for essential reasons is not encouraged.

If you do need to drive, please consider carpooling/sharing, and opting for a zero or lower emission choice such as an electric vehicle if you can.

Car parking on campus is limited. Find more information about parking on campus including pricing and options available for staff, the public, and students. 

Enterprise Car Club allow drivers to hire cars by the hour or longer, with the benefit of being able to collect the vehicle from dedicated car parking bays rather than needing to visit a rental office.  They can be used for a quick trips or longer journey, and for personal or business travel. University staff members can get a discount on car hire, and there are Enterprise Car Club vehicles located on or near campus as well as across Leeds. Find out more about Enterprise Car Club discounts. 

Electric Vehicles

You will find 22 electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) across campus (made up of 11 dual chargers). 14 of these (made up of 7 dual chargers) are located on the first floor of the University's multistorey car park, with others located across campus. You can find where they are –  as well as other charging points in Leeds and nationally –  on Zap-Map. 

A tariff of 42p per kWh will apply for EV charging sessions across all University sites, including those at the Brownlee Centre, Sports Park Bodington and Devonshire Hall. Charges will be reviewed on an annual basis to reflect changes in electricity costs. 

You will still have to pay the usual parking costs and comply with campus parking regulations. Find out more about parking your car on campus. 

There is also a staff Teams channel for electric vehicle users - contact [email protected] if you would like to be added to the channel. 

Read our Fair Use for the use of EVCPs on campus.