Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Whether you want a quick and easy way to get about town, or to explore its picturesque countryside and villages, thanks to its extensive network of cycling routes and relative flatness, Cambridgeshire is a great place to get on your bike and go for a ride.
Cambridgeshire County Council has produced a regularly updated map of cycle routes in and around Cambridge city which you can view and download here. Free copies of the map can be picked up in many shops in the city as well as from the Tourist Information Centre in Wheeler Street, Cambridge (at the back of the Guildhall). The city centre is generally very accessible by bike but there are a few roads that can only be cycled in one direction, and some not at all. Cambridge Cycling Campaign have produced this map to help you find a bike friendly route.
Peterborough’s Green Wheel network provides over 45 miles of continuous cycle routes around the city, made up of a mixture of cycle lanes, car-free paths and low-traffic roads. The main route follows the perimeter of the city passing through several surrounding villages, with “spokes” out from the city centre. View and download a map here. Shanks Millennium Bridge, which forms part of the network, crosses over the River Nene and provides a traffic-free route between Whittlesey and Peterborough, ideal for commuters and leisure riders alike.
Several other maps for other networks and routes across Cambridgeshire including around Ely, Huntingdon, Saffron Walden, St Ives, St Neots, Whittlesey and Wisbech, are available here.Â
Maps have now been developed for all four of our Fenland Market Towns. These can be found here Fenland Walking and Cycling Maps - Fenland District Council.
If you’re in Cambridge and looking for a scenic ride perfect for a sunny day then give the 7 miles alongside the River Cam from Cambridge to the picturesque village of Waterbeach a go. Starting off at Midsummer Common, keeping the river on your left.
For Peterborough-based riders, the path running west from the city centre alongside the River Nene to the western end of Ferry Meadows Country Park (part of the Green Wheel network) is great for less experienced riders thanks to it being flat and traffic-free.
Hinchingbrooke Country Park in Huntingdon provides a relaxing setting to explore open grasslands, woodlands and lakes via a number of pleasant paths, including a cycle path/bridleway running through the park as well as National Cycle Route 51 which passes the perimeter of the park.
If you need to hire a bike then you can do this from various locations including Rutland Cycles and City Cycle hire in Cambridge, and Rutland Cycling Superstore by the entrance to Ferry Meadows Country Park in Peterborough. Brompton folding bikes can be rented at Peterborough Station and Voi eBikes are available to rent in Cambridge and Peterborough City centres. You can find out more here. Prices start from £1 to unlock + £0.20 per minute. Voi subscriptions are also available.
For a longer ride, try riding the traffic-free path that runs alongside Cambridgeshire Guided Busway from Cambridge to St Ives. This 12 mile tarmac path is a former disused railway line and now forms part of National Cycle Network Route 51. Starting from King’s Hedges, the route takes in some of the most beautiful countryside in Cambridgeshire, and there’s no need for a map as it’s a straight line all the way!
If you’re based in the north of Cambridgeshire, you might want to give a go a ride from March to Wisbech following National Cycle Route 63 starting at March Railway Station. The ride is 12 miles and takes in some great rural views and the Twenty Two Foot River. The route can also be extended by starting in Peterborough and joining via the Green Wheel network.
There is more information available on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority websites. Click here to find out more.
Cambridge Cycling Campaign’s website also has helpful information on riding to work and for leisure in Cambridge, cycle training, maintenance and have also produced a helpful Welcome to Cycling leaflet for anyone new to cycling in Cambridge.
Make sure to log your ride and earn a badge!