Cycling
Western Gateway’s cycle workstream seeks to develop cycle connectivity to key destinations across the whole district.
While cycling is sometimes viewed as a local matter involving relatively short distance journeys, the rise in popularity and availability of electric bikes is increasing the practical range of cycling, especially when combined with dedicated cycle routes and facilities. Cycling can also be combined with public transport, particularly rail, to enable long-distance, multi-modal journeys. Our work on rural mobility also highlights the importance of cycling in linking rural residents to essential services and opportunities – particularly where public transport options are limited – and its popularity amongst visitors to our tourism areas.
Our cycling strategy
With those regional aspects in mind, we have worked with partners to develop a plan for a regional cycle network that complements and extends the work being done at a local level. It identifies longer distance routes linking:
- Key settlements (and smaller outlying settlements)
- National and international gateways
- Regionally significant destinations
- Key tourism areas
- Existing/planned routes, as part of a network approach.
Cycle Network - Route development programme
To start taking our Strategic Cycle Network towards delivery, Western Gateway has completed an initial Route Development study of the top 12 priority regional routes.
This identifies the best potential opportunities for Western Gateway to support the development of route sections, complementing the work already underway by our Local Authority partners.
