Cycling and walking around Stirling is a fantastic way to become familiar with the community you will be emersed in during your time at university. Stirling offers many hidden gems that are not always accessible via bus or rail routes.
To help you get familiar with walking and cycling around Stirling we have compiled a list of how Stirling is improving their travel infrastructure along with local cycling businesses.
Bike Sharing & Rental
Santander Cycles in Stirling
Travelling from the university, and around the city centre has just become even more convenient. Nextbike has recently partnered with Santander Cycles to improve the bike rental opportunities throughout Stirling. This new partnership has allowed opportunities for users to commute through Stirling with ease with the upgraded eight gear bikes. The updated GPS system further allows users to explore city centre with confidence!
Santander Cycles also allows for University of Stirling staff and students free memberships and reduced rates for the nextbikes!
Sign up using your staff or student email and enjoy cycling either around campus or through the city centre in an eco and budget friendly manner. Tariffs range from £1 for every 20 minutes to £10 for 24 hours. Check out https://www.nextbike.co.uk/en/stirling/information/ to learn more about renting a Santander Cycles bike.
What’s more, Nextbike has a relatively large network of cycle schemes around the UK (good for a day out in Glasgow or your trip to Belfast) as well as Europe and once you have the Nextbike app, you can use it everywhere and the reduced student rates also apply elsewhere. You can also rent more than one bicycle at a time using the app if you’re with friends or family.
Forth Bike – Electric Bike Hire
Stirling Active Travel Hub – Try an E-Bike
The Stirling Active Travel Hub encourages and support people to walk and cycle for every day journeys, such as commuting, going to the shops and going to school. Their mission is to increase the amount of active travel journeys made in Stirlingshire through improving skills, knowledge, confidence and access to bikes
They work with the local community to support active travel in different ways including organisation of events and bring pop-up hubs to different localities in and around Stirling. They also partner with different local key employers and like minded organisations to get people travelling actively.
What’s more they have a selection of ebikes, cargo bikes and bags which they loan out for people to try.
Finally, they provide information on a range of topics including cycle training, cycle maintenance, route planning, events.
Buying a Bicycle in Stirling
If renting a bike is not your thing and you are looking to invest in a bike for yourself there are multiple shops here in Stirling that can make that investment possible!
Velocity 44
If you are looking to cycle for leisure with the family or test your offroad skills Velocity 44 is your one stop shop.
With staff who have 10-20+ years of experience, you are sure to find a perfect fit for your everyday cycle needs. Velocity 44 also supplies accessories, parts, and apparel that may be required for cycling safety and maintenance. Browse their website to find what you are looking for https://www.velocity44.com/products.php.
Also, stay updated on any special offers by following the shop on their social media pages. https://www.facebook.com/velocity44.
Velocity 44 can be found at 44 Barton Street, Stirling.
Ed’s Cycles
If you are interested in a new to you bike, Ed’s Cycles offers second-hand bikes for as low as £50. A fantastic way to practice sustainability through up-cycling. Pun intended!
Your bike may experience regular everyday wear and tear, or you got a puncture on an offroad trail. Whatever the case is Ed’s mechanical engineering expertise can help you with your repairs.
Ed’s Cycles also partakes with the Scotland Cycle Repair Scheme. This scheme offers finances for cycle repairs up to £50. To learn more visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/ScotCycleRepair. Ed is also offering a 10% Student Discount!
We have alos written a story about Ed and his business, check it out: Ed’s Cycles, New Bicycle Repair Shop Opens in Stirling
To find out more about Ed’s Cycles and get connected with Ed and read testimonials from his customers, follow the shop’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Edsbike.
Ed’s Cycles can be found at 26 Upper Craigs, Stirling FK8 2DG.
CR Cycles
Supply and demand for reliable cycle technicians is not a problem here in Stirling. Stirling is also home to CR Cycle Repairs. The shop is independently owned and operated by Colin Rae who has over 10 years of experience and a lifetime of love for cycling.
If you want to read about Colin’s stor, read this blog post on our site: Stirling Welcomes CR Cycle Repairs, a New Bike Repair Shop
CR Cycle offers servicing and repairs of your bike as well as cleaning and parts. All these services are offered within a timely manner and at a reasonable price along with a 10% student discount! Further discounts may be applied upon enquiries.
Colin also has experience with repairing ebikes. Give the shop a ring at 0735904551 to enquire about specific parts or services and his fantastic customer service will find the correct solution for you! Explore more services by visiting https://www.crcyclerepairs.co.uk/about.
Stay connected with CR Cycle Repairs by following their social media https://www.facebook.com/crcyclerepairs/?ref=page_internal and https://www.instagram.com/crcyclerepairs/.
The shop is located at 2 Pitt Terrace, Stirling FK8 2EZ .
Recyke-A-Bike
Staying within budget couldn’t be easier by shopping for a pre-loved bike from Recyke-A-Bike. Adult bikes begin at just £75 and kid’s for as little as £25!
Although the prices are low, the quality and safety of the bikes are not. Each refurbished bike passes through a safety check and comes with a 90 day warranty. Visit their website to find your perfect match. https://www.recyke-a-bike.co.uk/hom
Giving pre-loved bikes a new life is a great way to be environmentally friendly. Recyke-A-Bike encourages this decision by stating:
“To help the environment – you’ve stopped a bike going to landfill and saved the energy and resources needed to make a new bike.”
Not only is the shop environmentally friendly, but they also do a fantastic job with community engagement. Recyke-A-Bike supports the local community by offering training services and assisting in employability through work experience and outreach programs. You can also give back to the community by donating your bike if you no longer require it.
Keep connected with their social media to find out how you can become involved. https://www.facebook.com/recykeabike/?ref=ts&fref=ts or https://www.instagram.com/recykeabike/?hl=en
Visit the shop at Recyke-a-bike Alloa Road Causewayhead, Stirling FK9 5LN.
Stirling Cycles
Get geared up for some of the amazing trails Stirling has to offer! Whether you are looking for a leisure pedal along the Forth or seeking to take the road less travelled Stirling Cycles is ready to help you find the bike that checks every box on your wish list. They even offer finance programs to assist in your purchase.
With over 15 years of experience, the customer service will leave you feeling comfortable and confident in your new gear. From a new bike to a properly fitted helmet use their appointment system to ensure your concerns and desires are properly understood. Pedal over to their online shop to book an appointment and find what you are looking for. https://www.stirlingcycles.co.uk
To keep your bike in tip-top shape make sure you also utilise Stirling Cycles qualified workshop. Your motor requires an annual MOT so why not show your bike the same love and attention?
Stay up to date with special deals and offers by following Stirling Cycles on both their Facebook and Instagram. https://www.facebook.com/stirlingcycles https://www.instagram.com/stirlingcycles/
Stirling Cycles is conveniently located at 18b Airthrey Road Causwayhead, Stirling
Cycling Routes
Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling
What are new and upgraded bikes without a safe route to utilise them?
The project Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling has been hard at work ensuring that the safety and needs of cyclists, pedestrians, wheelchair users, and scooter users are met. The goal of the project is to provide a safer journey for non-motorists while also promoting less air pollution through the encouragement of walking or cycling.
Forth Valley College is accessible through Route 1 of these new infrastructure updates. Equally, visit https://www.cyclinguk.org/journey-planner to plan your cycle journey into the College campus. Check out https://walkcyclelivestirling.commonplace.is/about to find out more about the project
With the safety and convivence of the next bikes and the new infrastructure of walking and cycle lanes along with fantastic bike and repair shops, students, locals, and tourists can commute through or explore Stirling very easily.
Where to Find Cycle Routes
Before starting your travels, plan your route using Sustrans’ Find a route on the National Cycle Network planning tool or find the best routes in the area on Stirling Active Travel Hub’s website. Stirling Active Travel Hub further allows riders to choose from a range of cycle routes. From easy, to hard, these routes will have you travelling through scenic and historical destinations throughout Stirling. The possibilities and options are endless. Grab your bike and safety gear, and let your adventure begin.
If you’re looking for a longer scenic route recommendation, then Route 76, which connects Stirling City Centre with the University of Stirling campus and extends further into local towns. This route is a fantastic opportunity to see the wonderful landscapes the Forth Valley has to offer.
Parking Your Bike
Of course, being a responsible cyclist means knowing how and where to safely store your bike when not in use. Nextbike offers a map of various cycle points throughout the city and surrounding areas, see the map of the Nextbike drop off points here. Make sure your bike is locked properly before leaving to avoid charges and account blockage in case the bike gets lost.
If you are travelling with your own bike, ensure you have your bicycle lock. There are plenty of options in local shops from budget ones to really secure ones (Sports Direct and Mountain Warehouse should do for starters). Visit Stirling City Parking Guide to find a place to park your bike while shopping or exploring the city. If you’re leaving your bicycle at the train station, there is a covered shelter as you enter the car park to the left of the station.
And finally, make sure to stay fuelled and hydrated on your journey by stopping at one of the amazing cafes that the city centre has to offer. Visit our business directory at https://independentstirling.co.uk/food-drink/ to find the perfect resting place (e.g. Chester’s Coffee House have bicycle racks outside).
