Cycling with children: Exploring kid-friendly routes
The National Cycle Network (NCN) offers a wealth of inspiring, child-friendly routes for family cycling adventures across the UK. With over 50% of people living within a mile of this extensive network, cycling is a viable option for various trips, including local parks, libraries, and family outings.
The NCN includes a diverse range of routes, from traffic-free paths along disused railways, canal towpaths, and forest tracks, to quieter roads and traffic-calmed streets. Some shared use paths form part of the network, providing a safe space for cycling, walking, and sometimes horse riding.
For local trips, choosing a route with quieter roads or cycle paths is usually possible. When cycling with children, it's advisable to avoid very busy roads and complicated junctions. Some excellent family-friendly cycling routes on the NCN include the Monsal Trail, Tissington Trail, Trans Pennine Trail segments, Journey through the Solar System Way, Ironbridge Gorge route, and Hadrian's Cycleway.
To plan family cycling outings with confidence, there are several resources available. Visit Family Cycling's county-by-county guide to discover traffic-free, family-friendly routes close to you. The official Sustrans website, which manages the National Cycle Network, offers route collections, maps, and downloadable guides specific to your region. Interactive websites and apps like Outdooractive and Komoot provide free, detailed maps and information on cycling routes throughout the UK, including those on the NCN.
When embarking on a family bike ride, remember to take extra clothes and waterproofs for young children, as they may not generate as much heat while cycling. Take breaks during the ride, have games prepared for younger kids, and consider stopping at a playground or park.
National Cycle Network routes can be identified by blue cycle signs with a red number. Shared use paths are free of motor traffic and generally have good surfaces. Public bridleways can be used by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders, with cyclists giving way to other users. Let the slowest person set the pace during the family bike ride, and be mindful of surfaces on public bridleways, as they may not always be suitable for all types of cycles.
By following these guidelines and utilizing the available resources, families can enjoy safe, enjoyable, and memorable cycling adventures on the National Cycle Network.
The National Cycle Network's diverse routes offer opportunities for explorations beyond family cycling adventures; they extend to health-and-wellness journeys, including fitness-and-exercise routes and lifestyle trails within home-and-garden settings. For instance, quieter roads and traffic-free paths might lead to local parks, libraries, or perhaps even a tranquil home-and-garden area for a refreshing change.
For those seeking inspiration for their cycling journeys, resources like the official Sustrans website, Family Cycling's county-by-county guide, Outdooractive, and Komoot offer route collections, maps, and guides tailored to various lifestyle interests, spanning science, health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and beyond.
