Cycle routes

Bikes everywhere: that’s the defining feature of Cambridge. Other cities would (and do) forbid cycling across parks, through pedestrianised areas, and down alleyways. In Cambridge, by contrast, comparatively few places are off-limits. It’s expected that you won’t ride like a maniac, and in this city of everyday cycling, few people do.

Paths across parks like Midsummer Common, Parkers Piece and Coe Fen make it easy to get across town safely. Cut-throughs link cul-de-sac roads. In particular, the city has a nice line in cycle bridges over busy roads, the railway and the river, opening up possibilities for quiet through-routes that are closed to cars. There are eight car-free crossings of the Cam (discounting the private university bridges), and the cycle bridge near the railway station is, famously, heated!

There are a few longer routes. A riverside path runs from Jesus Green all the way to Waterbeach, though the surface peters out the further you go. Several of the main arterial roads have shared-use paths alongside, such as Madingley Road and Milton Road. The city has recently announced it plans to build Dutch-style segregated cycleways – notably along Huntingdon Road, which currently has little provision for cyclists.

Cambridge’s new guided busway was controversial at the time, but it’s gifted the city with a high-quality cycleway alongside. It heads west to Histon and St Ives, and south to Addenbrookes Hospital.

Milton-Science Park-city centre

A cycle bridge near Tesco crosses the A14 and connects Milton with north Cambridge. Continue along the cycle path as it meets Milton Road by the Science Park, but don’t follow the road into the city centre; instead, peel off along Green End Road into Chesterton, and cross the Cam on the bridge by the Green Dragon. From here, follow the river into the town centre, crossing Midsummer Common if you’re heading for that side of town.

Alternatively, from Chesterton, you can cross on the new Riverside Bridge and follow the Cam from there.

Coton-West Cambridge-city centre

One of the finest cycle routes in Cambridge, or indeed any British city. The path runs from Coton village, over the motorway and past the West Cambridge site (home of the university science and maths departments), to the quiet Adams Road. From here, leafy traffic-free Burrell’s Walk and Garrett Hostel Lane take you to Trinity Lane, and the city centre by the Market Place. It’s as good a leisure ride as it is a utility route.

Cherry Hinton-railway station-city centre

This is a triumph of piecing together back streets to provide an alternative to busy roads. In particular, it offers a much more pleasant alternative to Mill Road.

The traffic-free Tins and Snakey Path take you to Brookes Road; don't cross onto Mill Road, but dogleg left then right to follow the cycle route towards Greville Road. Another dogleg takes you across the (heated!) cycle bridge crossing the railway. From here (and the station), don’t follow Hills Road into town, but rather the signposted back-street route via Devonshire Road and Gresham Road which brings you out opposite Parkers Piece.

Worcester to Pershore

Pershore is just 10 miles from Worcester – and it has an hourly train service back, so you only have to go one way.

The route is signposted as National Cycle Network route 442, so wayfinding is easy. Start on the riverside by the cathedral, and follow the signs onto quiet roads before you reach Diglis. The route leaves Worcester on the Norton Pedway, before switching to country lanes for the rest of the journey to Pershore. There are a few climbs but nothing too strenuous.

Pershore is a charming market town, all the better for its 20mph limit and new bypass. The station is around a mile to the north (well signposted), so leave enough time to get there. Alternatively, you can follow NCN 442 for another nine miles to Evesham, again with a station to take you back home.