Explore Lancashire by Bicycle

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Lancashire is a great county to cycle in. Explore our outstanding scenery from the rugged Bowland Fells and Pennine Hills to the lush green river valleys and the flat coastal plain. You will find the quiet lanes of the Ribble and Lune Valleys a delight to cycle in. The Lancashire Cycleway is a 260 mile challenge, taking you through some of the best countryside in the North of England. If you want something more sedate try the attractive cycle tracks along the river and estuary in the Lancaster area. In the north of the county you will find that the Arnside/Silverdale area of outstanding national beauty on the coast has lots of leafy lanes that are a pleasure to cycle on.

Cycling in our Town and Cities

Cycling in our towns and cities is getting better, thanks to new facilities such as the Millennium Bridge in Lancaster. You will find in many areas that new cycle tracks are springing up. Or try cycling along canal towpaths. In many places the canal towpath has improved to give an all-weather surface, for example in Burnley and Pendle. Use quiet streets to avoid the worst of the traffic, or if you are going a long way combine cycling with rail or bus travel, and cut out the long drive. Whether you cycle in our town and cities, you will find that more and more people are finding that cycling is the fun way of getting about town, beating congestion and staying healthy.

Cycling for Health

Cycling is a great way of staying fit and healthy. Cyclists tend to get fewer illnesses and live longer. Cycling to work, the shops or to school, helps ensure that you get the half-hour exercise a day that doctors recommend for health.

Cycling to School

At peak times more than one in ten journeys are linked to the school run. We are working with schools to improve cycle parking and make it safer to cycle to school. At some schools more than 10% of pupils cycle in. Our innovative Passport to Safe Cycling Scheme is a staged approach to cycle training, working up from basic bike skills to riding on roads.

Cycling to Work

Cycling to work is a great way of beating congestion and keeping fit.  No hassle with parking the car either.  With more and more cycle facilities, there has never been a better time to cycle to work

• Flexibility
  You are not dependent on limited parking spaces or the last bus home.  On your bike you can be flexible and spontaneous, make an unplanned visit to a shop or drop in on a friend.

• Lower Travel Cost
  If you are currently spending as little as £1.50 in fares or petrol, changing to cycling could save you over £200 a year.

• Health
  Gentle regular exercise, such as riding two miles each way to work and back can halve the risk of heart attack.  You will arrive at work with a clearer head ready to go.  Longer term you can expect to firm up, lose weight and improve your heart rate.

• Saving Time
  At peak times cycling is quicker than going by car.

• Reliable
  Cycling times are more predictable than travelling by car, so you do not arrive at work stressed out.

• Fun
  It is fun.  You might even enjoy your journey to work.

• Tip
  The best way to cycle to work may be different to that by car.  For example there may be cycle path, canal towpath or quiet street that you could use.  This website contains a lot of useful information about cycle routes in the county.

Cycle to the Train or Bus

Forget that long and stressful car journey, catch the train and cycle to the railway station. Cycling to the train or bus is becoming more and more popular. There is secure cycling parking at many stations, and subject to demand you can take your bicycle on most trains. If you are out in the country some rural bus services, such as Carnforth Connect, can carry cycles.

Cycle to Shops or to Leisure Facilities

Cycling is also a great way of getting to the shops or leisure facilities.