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Free-Wheelers shortlisted for NUS Society of the Year award

The University’s student-led, volunteer-run, ‘do-it-yourself’, bike maintenance workshop has been shortlisted for the NUS Society of the Year award.

Free Wheelers societyThe NUS (National Union of Students) awards 2014 are a celebration of the work of staff, officers, activists and students who have been changing education and societies for the better. The winners will be announced at an award ceremony in Bolton on 3 July.

Free-Wheelers is a society for student cyclists to meet other cyclists, borrow tools and share bike-maintenance skills. They operate from their own fully stocked bicycle workshop under the Falmer House arches.

President of Free-Wheelers, Rob Miller, said: “Winning would be incredible for us as recognition for all the cold days fixing bikes over winter in addition to our ‘Most Outstanding Society’ award from the Students’ Union this year. More importantly it can serve as a sign to other universities and student unions that cycling is a viable form of transport which can be encouraged en masse in the student body with simple and cheap start-ups.”

Free Wheelers logoThe society provides trained volunteers to teach cyclists how to fix their bikes. They offer their services from 1pm – 3pm during term time.

Free-Wheelers also offer their services to the children from Brighton Aldrige Community Academy who are interested in bike maintenance by taking them on mountain bike rides and teaching them how to make bicycle repairs in the hope that one day they will volunteer at their workshop.

Students’ Union Education officer, Juliette Cule, said: “'Free-Wheelers are such an exciting society and have been a key part of our Students' Union 'On Your Bike' campaign. It's great to see students working together to help each other get to campus sustainably and healthily, and we have our fingers crossed that they will be recognised nationally for their hard work.”

Free-Wheelers received £600 from the Students’ Union which they used to purchase tools and have been funded by the CTC (the national cycling charity) in the past. They run the society on a minimal budget and make a small profit from donations and the sale of spare parts.

This is not the first time the NUS has recognised Free-Wheelers. As one of their Green Impact case studies in 2012, the NUS said: “The positive impacts of the project are numerous, in that it gives students new practical skills and an opportunity to share these skills with each other. It makes travelling by bicycle cheaper and easier, as students will have access to tools and trained assistance for free, which has significant environmental benefits.”