Cyclescheme

I was thinking more along the lines of trying to have something in place that would make it easier for cycling to be considered as a sport in universities across the UK. One main thing that I think prevents it happening is that many people don't have access to the right kind of bike, and if something like this was an option, then maybe more people would be inclined to give it a go / it would be possible to have a team and leagues just by making it a bit more accessible. I just thought people who aren't already in to it are probably not likely to drop £500-700 cash in one go on a new bike, but if it was possible to do it in a more affordable way, it might be easier to promote.

It was just a thought...I have a bike and a job as I have said. I have just been trying to get 'cycling' to be a sport option at my college with no success, and the main reason I am given when I speak to people is the lack of a bike, and an unwillingness to spend a lump sum of money on something they are not sure they will enjoy /can't afford etc. Seeing as BC and Boris etc are all trying to promote cycling in this country, I thought that University might be a good place to look at for fostering interest and talent etc.

I am for the argument if you really want to do something, you just do it. But if there was a cycling team / league at college then I would love to be involved in it, and I imagine a lot of other people would too. There isn't. If there was, this 'lack of a suitable bike' situation would be a key limiting factor. People who are already into cycling wouldn't have this problem, but in terms of promoting it to others who are not into it but potentially could be....

Obviously you can look elsewhere, join a club elsewhere, race solo. I was just thinking it is a shame that there are inter-collegiate leagues for rugby, football, netball, etc. and none for cycling (well, Cambridge seem to have a pretty decent cycling club going on). That said, if we did have something in place, who knows if anyone would turn up / want to do it anyway.

I think cycling within Uni's is pretty big already. I'm from Leeds and have also been to uni in sheffield before london. theres a student national champs every year. Sheffield Hallam and Uni have a biking varsity against each other. Generally uni's out of london are way better at sport, facilities wise etc, but none of the london uni's even have sports pitches etc. I know a lot of people at Uni with more than one expensive bike. i think its just where your prioities lie. In london (beware of massive stereotype) all the art students seem more concerned with boozing, buying expensive cameras and paying stupid amounts of money to live in tiny flats in trendy areas.
If you wanna look at getting none cyclists onto bikes then why not try get a group together at herne hill, you can hire a bike for a season for bugger all!?