De Montfort University

The Daria Project

When De Montfort University (DMU) student Daria joined the DMU Sustainability Team for her placement year, she had never ridden a bike before but always wanted to learn.

Daria was among the one in eight adults in Britain that have never learned to ride a bike. Daria was taught by qualified cycling instructors from Leicester City Council in a safe and supported environment on campus and they worked together at a pace that suited Daria. Thanks to the Sustainability Team and Leicester City Council, she turned herself from a cycling novice to a proficient cyclist.

The Sustainability Team documented Daria’s journey on social media as a way of promoting the scheme and to encourage other students to take part.

Through the Daria Project, the Sustainability Team and Leicester City Council now offer DMU students (and staff) the opportunity to learn how to ride. To date 121 people (92 students and 27 staff) have signed up to the Daria Project. 

Top 3 Learnings

1. We have found that it is very important to have good coordination across the institution and beyond to make progress on active travel.
2. We have found that it is very effective to use students as champions for sustainability as this has more traction with other students.
3. We have found that social media is an extremely useful way of disseminating information on the work of the university and its approach to active travel and cycling.