STUDENTS and staff at Bournemouth’s two main universities will benefit from new bike facilities and a loan scheme.

Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth have received extra funding via the borough council’s Getting About initiative.

This will be used to provide improved bike storage, revamped cycle racks and brand new sheltered stands.

The council is also helping to fund a bike loan scheme at Bournemouth University – called ‘BU by bike’ – providing students with access to bikes from charity Hope 2 Cycle, as well as locks and lights, for around £25 a year.

Ian Kalra, Bournemouth Council’s transportation services manager, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BU and AUB to encourage more students and staff to cycle.

“Both organisations have shown a real commitment to the town’s sustainable travel pro-gramme to reduce congestion on our road network by getting more people cycling, walking and using public transport.

“The new and improved facilities will make cycling to and from the universities easier for students studying in Bourne-mouth.”

Amanda Williams, Bournemouth University’s environment and energy manager, said: “As a responsible neighbour in the community we are committed to actively playing our part in improving access to and from the university.

“These are just a few of the fantastic travel related measures that we are currently working on.”

Four students at Bournemouth University will be trained in cycle maintenance to support the scheme.

Work is already under way at AUB where 16 new sheltered stands have brought the total covered cycle storage to 186 spaces.

At BU’s Talbot Campus a further 152 spaces are planned for early 2014, bringing the total at the site to 548.

Ben Musitano, student union president at the Arts University, said: “As a cyclist myself I think it’s a great initiative to get Bournemouth rolling on two wheels and will look forward to seeing more cyclists in and around campus.”