Keen to get cycling with your family but not sure where to go, or what route might work best for everyday journeys you might make by bike? This page aims to give you some ideas by signposting you to some useful resources.
Keep cycling stress-free and enjoyable by choosing your route carefully to avoid busy main roads, awkward junctions and steep hills. It is particularly important to plan – and ideally test - your route before taking a beginner. For routine everyday journeys, longer but quieter routes may actually be quicker by bike with fewer stops for traffic lights.
Keep cycling stress-free and enjoyable by choosing your route carefully to avoid busy main roads, awkward junctions and steep hills. It is particularly important to plan – and ideally test - your route before taking a beginner. For routine everyday journeys, longer but quieter routes may actually be quicker by bike with fewer stops for traffic lights.
Edinburgh has an extensive (and growing) network of off-road routes, thanks in particular to the conversion of former railway lines. With a bit of planning, there's lots of potential for family cycling and inspiration for budding cyclists.
Several good maps are available to help you plan
routes around Edinburgh:
- The Spokes Edinburgh Cycle Map marks less busy and
off-road routes, cycle shops, hills, cobblestones and other features relevant
to cyclists. They are regularly updated
and available from most bike shops. Spokes also produces
maps for East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and Glasgow - available
from bike shops or direct from Spokes.
- Edinburgh Council’s “Explore Edinburgh by Bike” leaflets cover the
city area-by-area, and note interesting things you will see along the way. Download these leaflets or order copies from
Clarence (0800 232323 / clarence@edinburgh.gov.uk), or ask for them at your local library.
Also available via http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/385/cycling_in_edinburgh/542/cycling/6
- Sustrans (www.sustrans.org.uk) is a national cycling organisation which looks after the National Cycle Network, with routes 1 and 75 going through Edinburgh. Sustrans produces detailed maps that show traffic-free routes across Scotland. Routes in town are signposted with blue signs and a red route number.
Also available via http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/385/cycling_in_edinburgh/542/cycling/6
- Sustrans (www.sustrans.org.uk) is a national cycling organisation which looks after the National Cycle Network, with routes 1 and 75 going through Edinburgh. Sustrans produces detailed maps that show traffic-free routes across Scotland. Routes in town are signposted with blue signs and a red route number.
The Bike Station's Inner tube map is also useful for ideas: hardcopies available from the Bike Station or see www.thebikestation.org.uk/innertube-map/
- Cycling-Edinburgh has a list of easy ways to get safely out of Edinburgh from the city centre using various cycle routes - see http://www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk/escape.htm
- Cycling-Edinburgh has a list of easy ways to get safely out of Edinburgh from the city centre using various cycle routes - see http://www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk/escape.htm
There are also lots of
online tools you can use to plan your route.
- www.cyclestreets.net helps
find the best cycle route between two given points.
- www.walkit.com is designed for walkers, but useful
routes for cyclists too.
- Find safe cycle
routes located in a particular area from www.sustrans.org.uk. Download the Sustrans National Cycle Network
app to help plan routes when you are out and about.
This website might also be useful as a resource:
www.cycle-route.com/routes/Edinburgh_City-Routes-12.html
The
Cycling-Edinburgh website maintains an up to date list of organised
bike rides that you can join, though typically these are geared to adult cyclists (check with the organisers) and you may need to be a member of the
relevant organisation to take part (you can try out CTC (Cycle Touring
Club) events without joining). These rides might provide helpful ideas if you would like to explore some new places to take your family afterwards. See www.cycling-edinburgh.org.uk/ .
Routes Further Afield: Fife
www.cycle-route.com/routes/Edinburgh_City-Routes-12.html
ORGANISED BIKE RIDES IN AND AROUND EDINBURGH
Routes Further Afield: Fife
Check out the Kingdom of Fife Millennium Cycle Way's Web Site, for anyone who has ever thought about cycling in Scotland: www.fifedirect.org.uk/fife-cycleways
Fife has one of the UK's most comprehensive cycle routes. Explore 300 miles (500km) of cycle route along quiet country lanes, disused railway lines and forest tracks as well as commuter routes in towns
Fife has castles, a beautiful coastline and beaches, historic fishing villages and gently rolling countryside ideal for biking. Clear and easy to use maps are available.
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