Cycle Lanes and Routes
Until you know an area, a cycle map is a good
way to start. For new cyclists, it’s worth planning out routes
before you set off. Even experienced cyclists can sometimes find
routes and cut-throughs they are not aware of. On this page we
list links to local maps.
Getting your map
Many maps can be downloaded from this site as
PDF files. Note that maps tend to be large files and may not be
suitable for downloading on dial up connections. We have noted
the size of the file.
Alternatively, in some cases, you can get
a paper copy by contacting Bedford Borough Council or
Sustrans (new window).
Area Maps:
Urban maps are ideal for planning for local
journeys to schools, shops or work. Note Bedford Borough
Council and Luton BC are working year on year to expand the cycle
network, so maps do gradually go out of date. These maps can be
downloaded or paper versions of these maps are available free from
the Borough Council.
Cycling in Bedfordshire (2001): This map shows
cycle routes mostly on quiet roads throughout the whole of
Bedfordshire. Note that it needs updating and does not show several
routes. (Contact Bedford Borough Council).
Cycle Map
Bedford and Kempston| (2010) (PDF document opens in new
window): This map shows the whole of the urban area. The map is
especially good for showing quieter links which might not be
obvious. Side 2 of the paper version shows a detailed plan of the
town centre including cycle parking locations.
Luton Area
Cycle Guide| (2007) (PDF document opens in new window): This
map shows the whole of the urban area of Luton, Dunstable and
Houghton Regis, including Sustrans route 6 and other traffic free
routes, quieter on-road routes and 20mph zones. Side 2 shows
Sustrans routes across the whole of Bedfordshire, cycle parking
locations in central Luton and a more detailed plan of the Marsh
Farm cycle network.
Urban area proposals
Bedford Borough Council, in co-operation with
local districts and town councils, is proposing cycle networks for
several towns. These maps show proposals for these towns. They
cannot be used as accurate guides to existing network. They are
only available as PDF downloads.
Sandy (PDF
document opens in new window) - planned: This map shows the
proposed cycle network for Sandy.
Biggleswade (PDF
document opens in new window) - planned: This map shows the
proposed cycle network for Biggleswade, which was displayed at a
public exhibition in month 2007.
Leighton
Linslade - planned: This map shows the proposed
cycle network for Leighton and Linslade. This was developed by
Leighton Linslade cycle group and forms part of the town’s Big
Plan.
National Cycle Network Routes in
Bedfordshire
Sustrans (new window) is a
voluntary body which works with Bedford Borough
Council to build cycle routes as part of the National Cycle
Network (NCN). Where possible these are off-road or on quiet roads
so that as far as possible they are suitable for family cycling.
There are 3 NCN
routes in Bedfordshire (new window). Eventually these will
link up as a triangle around Bedfordshire, with the west corner in
Milton Keynes, the east corner in Sandy, and the south corner in
Welwyn Garden City. Note that some of these routes are still in the
process of being completed.
NCN 51 west section from Milton Keynes, via
Marston Moretaine, to Bedford: This is an Interim route, with
on-road sections and also currently a diversion because of
subsidence over one section. The final route will be built with the
Wixams development.
NCN 51 east section from Bedford to
Sandy: This is a high quality off-road section following the
disused railway line. It is an ideal family and starter route.
NCN12 north section from St Neots,
via Sandy and Biggleswade, to Letchworth. Apart from
the section through Sandy, this route is still in the planning
stage. (No map available)
NCN 6 south section from Harpenden to Luton:
This section will follow the old railway line and is planned to
open in 2008/9. (No map available)
NCN 6 middle section from Luton, via
Dunstable, to Leighton Buzzard: This section is open and mostly off
road. “Marsh Farm” is the section through Luton and “Sewell
Greenway” is the section from Dunstable to Leighton. Download PDF
versions of Marsh
Farm (PDF document opens in new window) (1.3 MB)
or Sewell
Greenway (PDF document opens in new window) (1.3 MB) or
see Luton Area
Cycle Guide (PDF document opens in new window) for whole
route.
NCN6 north section from Leighton Buzzard to
Milton Keynes: This section is open and follows the
Grand Union Canal. Download PDF version Grand Union Canal
- not currently available.
Other maps covering Bedfordshire are available
for sale (new window) on the Sustrans website. There is also a
map showing the national
network (PDF document opens in new window).
Route Maps for Leisure
The Letsgo (new window) site
has a number of circular cycle routes, mainly for leisure and
mainly on quiet roads. Some of the route maps have helpful hints
and descriptions of local places of interest.
The distances are shown for the total circular
routes. When planning a journey, remember a typical cycle speed is
around 10mph, but hills and breaks can soon add a lot more
time.
The links below open the webpage for each
route from which a PDF version of the map can be downloaded.
(Alternatively, many of these route maps are also available on the
cobr website (new window)). They are only available as
downloads.
Routes north of Bedford:
North Beds Villages (new window): a circular route via
Thurleigh, Sharnbrook, Harrold, Rushden, Swineshead and Riseley (33
miles).
The Ouse Valley (new window): a looping route going north
from Bedford via Bromham, Oakley, Pavenham, Felmersham, Odell,
Chellington, Carlton, Stevington and back to Bromham (16
miles).
St Neots Riverside (new window): a looping route going
north from Bedford to St Neots, via Wilden, Colmworth, Bushmead and
Upper Staploe (26 miles)
Routes south of Bedford
Marston Vale (new window): a circular route going south
from Bedford through Kempston, Wootton, Marston Moretaine,
Ampthill, Maulden, and Cardington (27 miles).
Marston Vale cycle trail (new window): a short circular
ride (off-road) around Forest Valley Centre in Marston Moretaine (5
miles).
Greenwood Trail (new window): a circular route going north
from Forest Valley Centre via Wootton, Wood End, Stagsden, Astwood,
Bourne End and Cranfield (23 miles).
Old Warden (new window): a circular route from Cardington
to Southill, Old Warden and Northill (16 miles)
The Thatcher’s Way (new window): a circular route
from Bedford via Willington, Blunham, Moggerhanger,
Northill, Southill, Old Warden and Cardington (24 miles).
Routes mostly in mid-Bedfordshire:
Shannon Trail (new window): a circular ride east of Potton
via Gamlingay, East Hatley, Shingay, Steeple Morden, Wrestlingworth
and Cockayne Hatley (21 miles)
Jubilee Way (new window): a circular route south of
Shefford via Campton, Meppershall, Stondon, Shillington, Pirton,
Hexton, Higham Gobion and Upper Gravenhurst (21 miles)
Routes mostly in south-Bedfordshire:
Barton Hills (new window): a circular route south of
Barton-le-Clay (14 miles)
Woburn Wander (new window): a circular route from Woburn
to Toddington (19 miles)
Dunstable Downs (new window): : a circular route south of
Dunstable via Whipsnade and Eaton Bray (12 miles).
Streatley| (new window): : short loops along tracks or
minor roads east of Luton via Lilley (8 miles)
Other maps
CCNB (the Cycling Campaign for North
Bedfordshire) have a number of cycling maps and cycling leaflets
available for sale.
The National
Byway (new window) is another organisation creating
cycle routes linked to historic monuments. The National Byway runs
through Bedfordshire (new
window). The routes are signed by a brown sign with a cycle, but
there are no detailed maps available.
The Chilterns AONB (Area of National Beauty)
covers the south of Bedfordshire and stretches into Buckinghamshire
and Oxfordshire. A number of books and maps are available for
sale on its website. The leaflet and map Cycling in the
Chilterns is available free by contacting Bedford Borough
Council, but is not available as a downloadable file.
Bridleways are designed for horses and
walkers. Cyclists can also use them, but the surfaces are only
likely to be usable by mountain bikers (and not always even for
those bikes). A number of historic long
distance and short bridleways (new window) pass through
Bedfordshire.
On-line route planning
TravelSmart allows you to follow cycle routes
on-line across Bedfordshire and surrounding counties. You can zoom
in and zoom out and click in any part of Bedfordshire.