NHS Dumfries and Galloway medical students embrace healthier, happier, and greener travel
Dumfries – affectionately known as the Queen of the South – is a magnificent place to ride a bike. As the birthplace of the bicycle, thanks to local blacksmith Kirkpatrick Macmillan, and one of only two designated UCI bike regions in the UK, it’s a cycling haven waiting to be explored. Now, NHS medical students in Dumfries and Galloway are experiencing the benefits of life on two wheels.
The NHS Dumfries and Galloway medical students' halls of residence are perfectly situated just 4 miles from Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI). The mostly flat and traffic-free route follows the National Cycle Network, making it ideal for cycling to and from the hospital.
To help students make the most of this opportunity, the Education Centre at DGRI invested in bikes for students to use. The aim? To provide a practical, healthy, and sustainable travel option while encouraging students to explore the beauty of the region.
Anne-Marie Coxon, education centre manager at DGRI, explained:
We bought these bikes as we were aware that many students arrive here without a car. Although there is a bus service to the hospital, it isn’t always convenient on evenings and weekends
Cycling UK’s Sian Commerford, development officer for Connecting Communities, delivered bike inductions for 12 of the 24 ScotGEM post-graduate students, ensuring they felt confident and prepared to ride. We caught up with two of the students to hear how the bikes have made a difference.
Anna, who recently had her bike stolen, shared:
I haven’t bought a new one because there are other financial priorities at the moment, so having access to these bikes has been ideal
For Andrew, the benefits go beyond convenience:
The exercise the bikes give me as part of my commute is a great way to start the day – especially when it’s hard to fit in exercise on busy days
Both students, although car owners, noted the advantages of swapping four wheels for two. From saving money and avoiding parking battles to improving fitness and energy levels, the benefits were clear. Anna explained:
Riding the bike to the hospital is actually quicker than driving, and I just feel so much more awake on the days I ride
Building on the strong foundation previously laid by Sustrans with DGRI, Cycling UK’s inductions cover best-practice cycling, including route familiarisation to the hospital and signposting to personalised confidence sessions for those who need them. Anna reflected on how this support has improved her skills:
I’ve become a more confident rider on the road and am much more assertive!
Andrew also appreciated the practical route guidance:
It’s an easy route, but there are a few turns that would be easy to miss. Riding the route with Cycling UK made it so simple
Cycling UK is now working with NHS Dumfries and Galloway to support students across two locations in Dumfries. Plans are already underway to expand the initiative and provide more bikes to even more students in the region.
It’s safe to say Kirkpatrick Macmillan would be proud to see his hometown leading the way in helping NHS students discover healthier, greener, and happier ways to travel.
In Dumfries and Galloway, the work of Connecting Communities is made possible thanks to funding by Swestrans using Transport Scotland’s People and Place funding. We're grateful for their support, which enables our life-changing work.
