Whether you want a quick and easy way to get about town or to explore its picturesque countryside, Warwickshire is a great place to get on your bike and go for a ride. 

Local cycling routes in Warwickshire

Warwickshire County Council has produced several excellent maps of local cycle routes in Warwickshire, including for key towns in the county: Kenilworth, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Leamington and Warwick, and Stratford-upon-Avon. You can view and download these maps here. 

Stratford Greenway

The Stratford Greenway is one of Warwickshire's most popular traffic-free cycling routes. Following a former railway line, this scenic 5-mile path runs between Stratford-upon-Avon and long Marston, offering a flat, family-friendly ride through the Warwickshire countryside. The route is suitable for cyclists of all ages and abilities, with a smooth surface that is ideal for leisure rides, adapted cycles and riders building confidence away from traffic. Along the way you'll find open countryside, picnic spots and access to local cafes, making it a great option for a relaxed day out on two wheels.

The Greenway also forms part of National Cycle Network Route 5, allowing riders to extend their journey and explore more of Warwickshire's cycling network. 

There are two completed National Cycle Network routes in Warwickshire: Route 5 and Route 41, with two more routes currently under development. 

 Find out more and view the routes on Warwickshire County Council's website and the WalkWheelCycleTrust website.

Cycling facilities in the UK come in a wide range of shapes and styles, from shared-use paths and trails to on-road infrastructure like bike lanes.

Multi-use paths

In many communities across the country riders can access multi-use paths - as well as an ever-expanding network of on-road bike facilities for getting to and around important regional centres. Multi-use trails (also called shared use paths, or some variant between the two) offer car-free space to ride (though you'll usually share with pedestrians, hence the name), and in some cases take advantage of old rail corridors or other direct routes which connect quickly, easily, and with fewer hills*

Riding on the road

When riding on the road, it's generally recommended to favour roads with fewer cars and slower traffic speeds, such as residential streets - it may not always be the most direct, but it will be much more comfortable and may be more interesting as well! If you can't avoid riding on roads with speeds below 35 mph try to favour those with bike lanes or other dedicated infrastructure (if possible).

If you're unsure of how to navigate your city's streets and finding the most comfortable routes for riding, see if your local community has a bike-specific map or consult Google Maps' bicycle route feature. You can always ask a friend who rides a bike, or visit your local bike shop for guidance as well.

 

Tips for new cyclists

Find a comfortable place to ride - we like to suggest looking for one of the following:

• A multi-use trail or path (there may be one in a nearby park, or across town, a quick google search for trails will get you started)
• A quiet residential street with little automobile traffic (look for roads that don't connect major roads, or which wind a lot and have low speed limits)
• An organised social ride or event, such as an open streets event or a social group ride.

If you're new to cycling or looking to build your confidence, Warwickshire Cycle Buddies can help. The free scheme connects less experienced riders with friendly local volunteers who can offer support, route suggestions and encouragement while exploring Warwickshire by bike.

Where to get more information

For additional information on cycling in and across the UK, contact our partners at Cycling UK, the national advocacy organisation representing people of all sorts who love to ride!

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