Cycle Routes

Cycle Routes are made up of roads, tracks, paths or marked lanes designated for use by cyclists from which motorised traffic is generally excluded. The names and definitions of the various cycle route types vary from country to country.

The term usually means a recognized or defined way from one destination (the start) to another destination (the end/finish) and in some case can be the same place on a looped cycle route.

A route along a cycle trail usually means that you can cycle along a stretch of a cycle route which is dedicate for cyclist's use and is normally 'traffic free' , enabling the cyclist to cycle along the route in relative safety.

The category off-road includes all of the above, bike trails, mountain-bike trails and bike paths. You can cycle on an off road path down mountain tracks, forest trails, lake side, canal tow paths. In fact the term off road cycle route usually refers cycle routes that are any where away from free flowing traffic.

In city, suburban and built up areas the term cycle routes can refer to specific parts of the roadway or pavement areas being marked out for specific use by cyclists to use to cycle freely along their route from one destination to another along designated cycle lanes on or off the roadway.

The issue of the safety of segregated cycling routes is one of controversy. Some people say segregation of cyclists is necessary to the provision of a safe cycling environment. In contrast, some research imply increases, some significant, in the rate and severity of car/bicycle collisions due to such segregation while people are using the city or suburban areas.

There are certain cities in the UK where the area has become somewhat famous for its cycling and its local cycling routes. There are the cities of Oxford and Cambridge well known for the student population using local routes to get around the local area as a cheap form of transport. You also get area such as the lake district for its beautiful landscapes and there are there are some well known cycle paths in the area as there are in many other areas throughout the UK.

There is no doubt that with the development of designated and recognized routes, cycling has under gone something of a boom in popularity in the UK. People now regularly cycle daily to commute to work. They use the cycle paths for fun family days out and they use routes to keep fit and help the environment being 'greener'. Some people enjoy getting out in their free time and using their own private route where they enjoy a leisurely cycle ride along which they have developed and adapted for their own use over a period of time using their local knowledge. A route can be short, just a few hundred yards up to a hundred miles or more. It can be used for sport/racing, time trials or just a leisurely cycle route. You can complete your route in less than an hour or up to completing your chosen route over a period of days or weeks.

One of the most famous cycle routes in the UK is Lands End to John 'O Groats. Many people embark on this cycle route for the purpose of raising money for charities others just cycle the route for their own individual reasons. Another Recognized route is the 'Coast to Coast' of which there are many in the UK. You could use the route from East to West Coast. Hull to Liverpool, Newcastle to Carlisle or may be the cycle route of North to South Devon completing a Coast to Coast route of over 100 miles along the way.

While you cycle along your cycle route you can see all sorts of things that you pass by while travelling by other methods without giving them a second thought. On you cycle route you might pass an historical monument or you may notice something in your local area which may be of interest.

Cycling along on the same routes you have used over the years the miles add up and its not long before you have cycled over a hundred miles. Just think if you use the same route for travelling to work five days a week. That's ten journeys and if each cycle route is five miles long then over a week you will have cycled at least fifty miles. Use the same route for say, fifty weeks of the year and over the year you will have cycled two thousand five hundred miles along your cycle route. Many of us cycle that amount to work along various cycle routes and then in addition choose to use our leisure time enjoying the delights of getting out on our bikes at the week end and using various cycle routes through out the UK.

Cycling routes can be easy and they can be difficult. You can have a nice easy flat cycle route or you can choose cycle routes that have some steep hills in them. Many people choose a route with steep hills along the cycle route because they may be training for some specific event or to help them with their fitness training. Most people however will choose the easiest cycle routes available and keep to a nice flat cycle route. The other thing that may affect you on your chosen cycle routes is the UK weather. On certain routes in the UK you may find that you have a prevailing wind in one direction or another, so people tend to adapt their routes taking into account such factors.

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