Sustainable Travel

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL

NET ZERO 2040

Queen’s University is committed to ensuring sustainability is incorporated into every aspect of its campus.

A Net Zero future is Queen's University Belfast's main environmental goal, with our Net Zero Plan launched in 2023. A key priority for the University is addressing the emissions associated with our community's travel.

The University has a number of plans and policies that provide a road map to reducing our travel emissions. This includes our Travel Plan, Sustainable Business Travel Policy and Sustainable Travel Guidance Document.

Queen's Travel Plan

The Travel Plan details how the University will increase active travel to ensure we achieve our commitment to reduce carbon emissions associated with commuting by 25% by 2028. Further, Queen's has reaffirmed its commitment to lobby for change from key partners to facilitate improvements to our sustainable travel infrastructure.

Travel Plan 2023-28

Queen's Business Travel Guidance

The guidance is intended to support staff to make an informed decision and better understand the carbon implications of business-related travel. It aims to encourage the whole University community to reduce, where possible, the carbon impact of the business-related travel and to reduce the carbon impact of required travel.

Sustainable Business Travel Guidance

Travel Guidance and Advice

Freedom Cycles Bike Hub

Queen's University Belfast hosts a Bike Hub on campus for staff, students and our wider community.

The Freedom Cycles Bike Hub is located within Level 1 of the Administration Building, opposite the McClay Library. The Hub offers a range of services, including lease bikes, refurbished second-hand bikes, puncture repair, safety equipment and much more.

Travel Cards

Staff Travel to Work Loan Scheme

The University offers salaried employees an interest-free loan towards the purchase of an annual travel card (which can gain you a 20% discount). A loan of up to £2,500 is available to purchase a travel card for the purpose of commuting to work. The loan is repaid via 10 month salary deductions. To download further information, terms and conditions, and an application form, click here.

Students

If you are aged 16-23 you can avail of the yLink card, which offers 50% discount off all fares on both train and bus services provided by Translink. For further information click here.

Cycle Plus Cyclescheme

Cycle Plus, the University cycle to work scheme, offers staff the opportunity to obtain a bicycle and safety equipment at a discounted price by way of ‘salary sacrifice’.

By joining the scheme staff are eligible to hire a tax-free bike and safety equipment for work, up to the value of £3,000. If you are interested in the scheme, please visit the Cyclescheme website.

The University requests that, for staff requesting an e-bike through the cycle to work scheme, they should ensure that the e-bike specification includes a removable battery.

To access the Cyclescheme website you must enter the unique University code of 60cd5a.

Liftshare

Liftshare is the university’s car-sharing portal which allows staff and students to find car sharing matches based on location.

Liftshare is free to use and is very user-friendly with only a few simple steps to register your journey. Did you know that a commuter will typically save over £1000 a year?

Cheap, social and green travel is just a few clicks away!

For more information, and to register your account, visit our community hub.

Link My Ride

The ride organisation and social app built specifically for cycling.

Are you a student / staff member wanting to familiarise yourself around campus and the streets of Belfast and don't know where to start? Then look no further as you are just a few clicks away from joining the next Queen's University community bike ride event! These events will help you safely navigate new cycle friendly routes that link up train stations, park & rides, student accommodation, secure bike parking shelters and e-bike charging facilities to encourage sustainable commuting behaviours.

Link My Ride

Net Zero Bikers - Strava Group

The Net Zero Bikers Strava group is a friendly start-up group that practices and promotes sustainable travel on 2 wheels.

The Sustainability Team recognise that gaining confidence cycling on the road can feel like a daunting task. Therefore, we are delighted to announce our new Bike Buddy feature, integral with our Net Zero Bikers Strava group.

This is a free Strava app, and once staff members join the group, an array of options await including bike buddy, route request features and active travel competitions.

The sustainable commuting chat forum created by our group members highlights events such as the fortnightly breakfast morning in Hope Cafe, the monthly Critical Mass Cycle and the Annual Ride On Belfast Event.

Bus

The university is well served by public transport, particularly Metro bus services. For a full list of Metro services, click here.

For up-to-date online timetable information, click here. The Translink Travel & Tickets webpage provides details about which tickets are most suitable based upon passenger travel habits. A breakdown of associated costs can be found here.

ECIT/RVH Shuttle Bus

A shuttle bus, provided by the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, operates between Belfast City Hospital (bus stop at the side of the Tower Block) and Royal Victoria Hospital (bus stop at Royal Maternity). This service is free to staff and students on presentation of a staff/student card. Timetable details can be found by clicking here.

Translink provide a scheduled service between Elmwood Avenue (adjacent to the Students’ Union) and the Institute of Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ECIT), located in the Northern Ireland Science Park. Timetable details on this service can be found here.
Train
Car
Queen’s University aims to be a world leader in environmental and sustainable activities by encouraging and supporting environmental behaviour change amongst staff and students. Queen’s Sustainable Travel Plan encourages staff and students to consider alternative travel options, including using the train, bus, walking and cycling.

Parking Permits

The University issues car parking permits for a number of parking areas around the campus. The demand for car parking exceeds the provision and the permits are issued annually, subject to the payment of a fee.

To find out how to apply for a permit, or how to update your details, please click car parking permit guide and our dedicated car parking page.

Any queries should be directed to ext. 5005 or parking@qub.ac.uk

Cycle Plus Scheme

Cycle Plus, the University cycle to work scheme, offers staff the opportunity to obtain a bicycle and safety equipment at a discounted price by way of ‘salary sacrifice’. Cycle Plus is operated through Cyclescheme.

By joining the scheme staff are eligible to hire a tax-free bike and safety equipment for work, up to the value of £3,000. (Requests above this limit (£3,000) will be considered on an individual basis, in exceptional circumstances.)

The University requests that, for staff requesting an e-bike through the cycle to work scheme, they should ensure that the e-bike specification includes a removable battery.

If you are interested in the scheme, please visit the Cyclescheme website.

To access the Cyclescheme website you must enter the unique University code of 60cd5a.
Cycling Equipment
The following safety equipment is covered under the Cycle Plus Scheme:
- Helmets
- Bells and horns
- Lights
- Reflective clothing including jackets and over trousers
- Mirrors and mudguards to ensure visibility is not impaired
- Cycle clips and dress guards
- Child safety seats
- Panniers, luggage carriers, and straps
- Locks and chains
- Pumps, puncture repair kits, cycle tool kits, and tyre sealant
A full list of Cyclescheme suppliers is available here.
Secure Cycle Parking
Bike stands are located across the University, generally in locations convenient to building entrances. The University has opted to install 'Sheffield' type cycle stands as they offer the best form of locking security for cyclists. To find out where your closest cycling stand is, email sustainability@qub.ac.uk with your location.

Access to secure cycle parking is by PIN access code only, which is supplied by the Travel Plan Co-ordinator upon receipt of a £10 annual fee. Staff requesting access to secure cycle parking should email their request to sustainability@qub.ac.uk

The University provides secure cycle parking for staff in a number of locations across the campus:
- Side of Peter Froggatt Centre (e-bike charging facility for staff, students and general public)
- Rear of McClay Library
- Adjacent to Ashby Lab Block
- Health Sciences Building
- Elmwood Learning and Teaching Centre
- Institute of Clinical Sciences - Block B (RVH)
- Rear of School of Pharmacy
- Whitla Medical Building
Cycling Shower and Locker Facilities
Shower and locker facilities are located in the following areas:
- Administration Building
- McClay Library
- Whitla Medical Building
- Institute of Clinical Sciences – Block A
- David Keir Building
- School of Biological Sciences
- Main Site Tower
- Health Sciences
- Ashby Building
- ECIT
- Computer Science Building
To gain access please download the relevant form and email it to transport@qub.ac.uk.
Cycle Security
There are a number of simple actions you can take to secure your bike. Always budget for a good quality lock – staff and students can purchase a high quality 'D' lock, at a significantly reduced price (£10) from the Security Control Room (Level 1, Administration Building).

If your bike is stolen on campus, please contact both the PSNI (Lisburn Road Neighbourhood Unit- phone 101 or BelfastCity@psni.police.uk) and the University's Security team (028 9097 2222).

The University and PSNI are working together to promote bike security. Free security marking is available from University Security (Level 1, Administration Building), or at regular promotional events throughout the academic year.