Walking, cycling and riding - Overview

Bedford Borough has lots of opportunities for you to walk, cycle or ride for both leisure and business journeys.

You can improve your health, discover the most attractive parts of the area, learn about history and even travel more quickly.

Walking

Walking is a great way to make short journeys. It’s often quicker than driving and is healthier too.

We have lots of options for walkers of all abilities, including:

• Short circular walks
• Walks around Priory Country Park
• Long-distance walks
• Guided walks with a professional tour guide
• Forest of Marston Vale has 61 square miles of stunning countryside 

View our page on walking routes to download walking route maps.

Walking groups

If you would like to join a local walking group visit  Travel Bedford walking.

Cycling

Cycling can be quick and healthy option. The town centre is a 15-20 minute ride from almost all of Bedford and Kempston.

These organisations can help you get the most out of cycling in the town and countryside of Bedford Borough:

• Bikeability is the Department of Transport’s cycle safety and training programme for schools and adults. 
• Travel Bedford cycling offers information on local cycling clubs, help to choose a bike and bike safety.
• Sustrans is a charity that works to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.
• Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire works to promote, encourage and support cycling in North Bedfordshire
• The NHS Live Well website has lots of information about how cycling can improve your health.
• Forest of Marston Vale has 61 square miles of stunning countryside to cycle in.

Cycle training

We offer reduced rate cycle training for any resident within Bedford Borough. Sessions are £5 and are bespoke to suit individual needs.

So if you’re a complete beginner, or want to gain some confidence to get back into cycling, you can book a session by emailing stuart.duncan@bedford.gov.uk.

Cycling for adults with physical disabilities

Three Wheelers is a non-commercial (members only) club enabling adults with physical disabilities to get back to feeling “the wind in their hair”.

Three Wheelers has semi-recumbent trikes you can “pedal”  either with your feet, your hands or even with your prosthetics if you haven’t got hands or feet.

If you can transfer and sit on a chair then you can balance on a semi recumbent tricycle. You will get an individual assessment required to see if it’s right for you - a small cost can apply.

If it works for you, and you join the Three Wheeler (Bedford) club, regular rides take place on Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings at Mowsbury Park, Bedford on a pay as you go basis.                                                           

Phone Jennie on 07830 147002 or email threewheelersbedford.@gmail.com.

Cycle lanes and routes

A combination of cycle lanes, National Cycle Network routes and the National Byway makes Bedford Borough a great place to cycle.

Visit our cycle lanes and routes page for more information. 

Cycling and new developments

If you are a developer, please read our Cycle Parking Design Guidance (Chapter 5 of Parking Standards for Sustainable Communities: Design & Good Practice SPD 2014) which states numeric and design requirements for each type of development (Planning Use Class).

Riding

Bedford Borough has designated historical bridleways for horses and walkers. See our Public Right of Way page for more information.