Estates: Latest news
Estates teams help give 90 abandoned bikes new lease of life 鈥� with more on the way
The Estates Abandoned Bikes initiative has reached an exciting milestone this month, with 94 bikes already collected and donated to charity.
It marks another strong step in an ongoing effort to make campus safer, tidier and more sustainable, while supporting meaningful social impact beyond the University.
Led by colleagues in Facilities Operations and the Building Fabric core team (known collectively as the Abandoned Bikes Team), the initiative tackles the growing number of unused and forgotten bikes across campus.
The team were also recognised for their impact last year, winning the 2025 Estates Sustainability Team Award, reflecting the scale and significance of their contribution to campus sustainability.
Each year, towards the end of Term 3, the team undertakes a large-scale tagging exercise, placing notices on potentially abandoned bikes and allowing a two鈥憌eek period before bikes are confirmed as left behind.
After this, bikes are removed and put into storage on campus for three months, giving owners plenty of time to reclaim them.
Unclaimed bikes are then donated to , one of the University鈥檚 charity partners. The organisation refurbishes bicycles through a youth offender rehabilitation programme, in partnership with HM Prison Service, offering young people the chance to develop practical skills, gain confidence and work towards reintegration into their communities.
This circular approach benefits everyone; reducing waste, improving the look and feel of campus, supporting social responsibility and giving abandoned bikes a second life where they can make a positive difference.
And with another collection scheduled at the end of February, the team is well on course to exceed 120 donated bikes. A fantastic achievement and a testament to the collaboration, care and commitment of everyone involved.