Cycling is an economic, environmentally friendly and healthy form of transport. It can help reduce congestion and noise pollution and improve air quality. Regular cycling provides a number of health benefits.
Local cycle networks will be developed for each town in Cumbria to assist shorter cycle journeys to work, school and shops. The ongoing 'Better Ways to Schools' project will help the determine the most suitable network. These networks will link where practical into the main Cumbria cycle network.
A number of long distance cycle routes which pass through the beautiful scenery in Cumbria have now been established. There are plans to further extend these in Cumbria to form a complete cycle network which uses where possible lightly trafficked minor roads. On busier roads off road cycle and walking routes will be developed.
The Cycle Development Action Plan sets out the actions proposed by the County Council to increase the number of journeys made by cycle in Cumbria. The Action Plan has been developed with a number of partners and implmentation will rely on the co-ordinated action of these and other organisations.
For more information please contact:
Allan McNicoll
01228 226735
Sustrans Connect 2
The Big Lottery Fund’s Living Landmarks :
Sustrans Connect2 has won the TV vote to provide £50 million of National Lottery funding towards improving access by bike and on foot in 79 communities across the UK. The schemes will bring people closer together by making journeys quicker, healthier and more convenient. Two of the schemes are in Cumbria :
· Carlisle: Submitted by Carlisle City Council this will provide a new attractive and direct north to south link across the City via a new bridge over the River Eden and will provide new links to schools, employment and housing areas and the town centre.
· Maryport : The scheme put forward by the County Council will provide a new route over the railway from a large residential area to the station, town centre,docks, promenade and coastal park overcoming a major barrier to movement by bike and on foot avoiding heavily trafficked roads.
The Coniston to Millom ' Miles without Styles ' scheme submitted by the Lake District National Park Authority in conjunction with the County Council is presently on the reserve list.
More information is available at the Sustrans Connect 2 website
Skelwith Bridge
The locally handmade bridge over the River Brathay at Skelwith (shown in picture) will form part of a new cycle route between Ambleside and Greenodd which should be open for use in 2008.
CyclingCumbria website
Cyclists now have their first dedicated website aimed at mountain bikers, long-distance tourers and families out for a gentle ride in Cumbria . The website which includes detailed suggestions for rides and available publications has been created by the Cumbria Tourism and the County Council and is supported by a range of other partners including local biking businesses.
Strategic Cycle Network
Hadrians Cycleway
The Hadrians Cycleway is a new 174 mile long distance route which will eventually run from Ravenglass through to South Shields and Tynemouth. The route was opened on Wednesday 19th July from Silloth through to the North East.
Additional information is available at the Sustrans and Hadrians Cycleway web sites. The links are given in the further sources of information section below.
Cycling in Cumbria Map
The new map provides great ideas for bike rides in Cumbria. It identifies family-friendly traffic free routes, suggested rides on the County’s network of quieter roads, the National Cycle Network and the best areas for mountain biking including Forestry Commission woodlands.
Details are also given of bike shop and hire facilities, cycle publications and websites together with contact details for public transport information and Tourist Information Centres.
The map costs £2 and is available from all Tourist Information Centres in Cumbria.West Cumbria Cycle Network
The off-road section of the cycle network in West Cumbria is maintained through an agreement with Sustrans.
If you notice any damage/vandalism to the infrastructure or have any queries over its maintenance please contact :
John Scrivens: Tel No. 01900 85596
Getting your bike around on Public Transport
Cycling Development Action Plan
Further sources of information