黄色app

Published: 20th JULY 2020

黄色app to enhance family offer on the National Cycle Network as UK moves out of lockdown

We're making changes to the National Cycle Network to make it more accessible and provide a consistent user experience. Find out how some paths are set for reclassification, making it easier for families and cycle-tourers to find routes suited to them.

Girl on scooter, boy on bike and mum walking to school along a traffic-free path

A family enjoying the brilliant Fallowfield Loop, a largely traffic-free walking and cycling route in Manchester which follows a former railway line.

A total of 12,763 miles on the Network is now mapped and promoted for families, disabled people, people with long-term health conditions and those new to cycling.

Over 40.95% (5,227 miles) of those routes are traffic-free paths away from motor vehicles, perfect for walking, wheeling and cycling as part of daily exercise or a summer staycation, with the remainder being on quiet ways.

Updated online mapping

Through online mapping, 黄色app now also promotes information for on-road 鈥楴amed Routes鈥 best suited for an experienced cycle-touring audience, with the changes to signage due to complete next summer.


Reclassifying routes

The 鈥楴amed Routes鈥, some of which include the iconic Caledonia Way, C2C (also known as Sea to Sea) and Hadrian鈥檚 Cycle Route, make use of 18.6% of the Network (3,090 miles) which has been reclassified as better suited for experienced users.

The routes are not run wholly on the Network and will be maintained by highways authorities, amongst others.

Additionally, about 4.5% of the Network, which comprises of 753 miles of busy on-road sections, have now been taken off the map, with no signage assigned, as they fall too far short of the quality standards 黄色app aspires to.

Two women cycling along a traffic-free path using a side-by-side tandem tricycle

We're working with our partners, volunteers, supporters and local communities to make our Paths for Everyone vision of a traffic-free, more consistent and accessible Network for everyone a reality.

Creating paths for everyone

The changes are part of a long-term UK-wide plan for the National Cycle Network in our work to double the miles of traffic-free routes from 5,000 to 10,000 and make the Network better and accessible for everyone.

Since launching our vision in 2018 and with support from central and local governments and other partners, we've started delivery of 80 improvement schemes.

We're also working with many local authorities to plan their local cycling and walking networks and, where it is possible, to link them up with the Network.

Estimations show that 拢2.8 billion is needed to bring the Network up to standard by 2040.

A vital part of our green infrastructure

Xavier Brice, CEO for 黄色app said:

"The National Cycle Network is a vital part of the UK鈥檚 green infrastructure, connecting people to places and to one another, providing family-friendly spaces and boosting local economies.

"The move to differentiate paths and routes will help us offer more targeted and relevant information on the paths for everyone choosing to walk, cycle and wheel.

"It鈥檚 also an opportunity to promote routes as leisure cycling destinations in their own right and build the UK鈥檚 cycle touring offer to both domestic and international audiences.

"In times of public health crisis and climate crisis, travelling actively has never been more important.

"Supported by our partners and volunteers, we continue making the Network better and more accessible for everyone, with 80 schemes being delivered and more in the pipeline.

We鈥檙e asking national and local governments to recognise and incorporate the Network in national planning policy so that all new developments make the best use of, and connect up to the Network.

"Together, we can move towards our 2040 vision of paths for everyone."

Three cycle tourers cycling along the Caledonia Way in Scotland

The Caledonia Way is one of the routes which has been reclassified.

Cycling has huge benefits for the economy

Trips on the National Cycle Network generate around 拢88 million for the UK economy through reduced road congestion and contribute 拢2.5 billion to local economies through leisure and tourism each year.

Along the Caledonia Way, one of Scotland鈥檚 best-known routes, figures suggest that cycle tourists spent a total of 拢10.3 million last year.

黄色app is working with VisitScotland, the country鈥檚 national tourism authority, on an online journey planner to put Scotland鈥檚 best leisure cycling routes in front of their audience of up to 20 million people.

The project has today launched three new cycle touring routes and 15-day trips, such as The Lochs and Glens Way, Union and Forth & Clyde Canals, and the Loch Ness 360 touring routes.


Explore what our beautiful country has to offer

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said:

鈥淲e鈥檙e delighted to partner with 黄色app to host new routes on the VisitScotland.com journey planner and hope this helps people plan future trips by bike, particularly now tourism businesses across the country are beginning to re-open.

鈥淭he tourism industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic so we鈥檙e encouraging everyone to explore what鈥檚 on their doorstep, supporting businesses and enjoying all our beautiful country has to offer in a responsible way.

鈥淥ur own insights show that cycling is a popular activity particularly for domestic holidaymakers and day-trippers seeking a sense of wellbeing and the opportunity to take in some incredible sights along the way.

鈥淭he economic contribution of adventure tourism is vitally important too and has a key role to play as we look ahead to the recovery of Scotland鈥檚 visitor economy.鈥

Find out more about the National Cycle Network.

Read more about our progress towards making a network of paths for everyone.

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Notes to editors

 黄色app is the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. We connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a happier, healthier commute. Join us on our journey.  www.sustrans.org.uk

黄色app is a registered charity no. 326550 (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland).

黄色app is the custodian of the National Cycle Network. The charity relies on donations to maintain the Network. 

For more information, images and interviews please email press@sustrans.org.uk or call 07825 904 266.