York has a long held tradition of cycling and our current levels of cycling are certainly higher than the UK average, so you are bound to be in good company if you choose to explore York by bike

City of York Council research indicates York has the second highest levels of cycling per population size in the UK (second to Cambridge) at 13-15% of population. There has been a 7% increase year on year (2009 over 2008) in cycling by residents.

It's also a pretty safe place to cycle too. Research by the CTC (Cyclist Touring Club) in 2009 showed that York was in fact the safest place in the UK in which to cycle.

York is also proud to have been awarded Cycling City status from Cycling England, running until the year 2011, in a bid to get more people - particularly children and older adults - cycling. As part of this project, significant investment is also being made to further improve the cycle route network; increase the numbers of cycle parking facilities; opportunities to cycle including guided rides and work with the private sector to increase the number of cycle hire facilities in the city, all of which will benefit visitors to the area.

Getting around York by bike

With less than three miles - or around 18 minutes by bike - between the outer ring road and the city centre, getting around York by bike is fast and easy. Our extensive network of off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes offers safe access into and around the city.

Pick up a FREE copy of ‘York's Cycle Route Map & Leisure ride Guides' from Visitor Information Centres, local libraries or leisure centres, or download from www.york.gov.uk/cycling  

This handy guide shows details of all cycle routes in the York area including on and off-road tracks and bridleways accessible to cyclists; provides useful details of local cycle retailers for bike repairs or accessories; and information on likely journey times.

Please note that cycling is not allowed in the pedestrianised city centre area during the daytime - see the route map for more details of operating hours and restrictions.

Cycle parking

Cycle parking facilities are located throughout the city centre and at all major shopping, leisure, education or employment sites and will see later this year one of the UK's first Secure Cycle Hubs alongside Lendal Bridge

Hiring a bike

Bob Trotter Cycle Hire

13-15 Lord Mayor's Walk
York
YO31 7HB
Tel: 01904 622868.
www.bobtrottercycles.com  
Prices start from £15 per day for adult hire. Junior hire available.

Tandem Hire Yorkshire
Based right in the centre of the historic city of York supplying tandems, mountain bikes, city bikes, folding bikes, children's tag-ons and child safety seats. They also supply luggage for touring, maps, helmets and high visibility vests for your safety. Rates start from £30 per day.
Telephone to book on arrival or in advance of a visit to York.
Paul Calvert
Tel: 01904 236179
Email: info@tandemhireyorkshire.co.uk  
www.tandemhireyorkshire.co.uk  

Cycling Holidays
Scoot holidays offer self guided holidays around Yorkshire staying at small hotels or BnB's or guided tours on request. Bikes are provided so no need to take your own. Scoot also offer day tours and cycle hire.
Scoot Cycling Holidays Ltd
Kenilworth House
The Green
Stillingfleet
York
North Yorkshire
YO19 6SF
Contact: Steve Morrison, Tel: 01904 720003, Mobile: 07812 064 322
Email: info@scootcyclingholidays.co.uk , Website: www.scootcyclingholidays.co.uk  

Exploring York by bike
Discover more of York on two wheels. Explore more of York's green spaces - and uncover some of its hidden history - with a short cycle ride around the city. Pick up a copy of one of a new series of leisure ride maps produced by the Cycling City York project, available from Visitor Information Centres or local libraries, or download from www.york.gov.uk/cycling  

These hand drawn maps, entitled ‘Easy Cycle Rides for Leisure', illustrate rides of around 1 to 2 hours in length, based on popular scenic routes. The maps also provide useful notes on what to see on route plus details of local toilet and refreshment facilities.

If you'd prefer to do a ride with others, why not join in on one of Sustrans guided group cycle rides. These take place twice a month from spring through to autumn and follow these same leisure ride routes. For more details see www.yorkeasybike.btik.com  

Cycling Events

York Cycle Show
York Cycle Show is a weekend celebration of cycling on the Knavesmire in York. Organised by the Cyclists' Touring Club, the event includes exhibitions, fun events, races and competitions.
Find out more at www.ctc.org.uk  

York Cycling City Races
York is reintrocuding cycling races to the City Centre with it this first York Cycling City Races on the 21st August 2011.
Find out more at www.cliftoncc.org/competition/cycling_city_races  

Festival of Cycling
An opportunity to discover or rediscover cycling and the many joys and benefits it brings including all sorts of family activities including cycle tryouts for all whether young, or old, or disabled or just never ridden a bike before. For 2010 this will be in Rowntree's Park on the 11th to 12th September.
Find out more at www.york.gov.uk/cycling  

ON YOUR BIKES! TWO YORK BUSINESS TEAM UP TO OFFER LUXURY CYCLING BREAKS.

Hotel du Vin in York has teamed up with York based Scoot Cycling Holidays to offer the kind of cycling holiday that sounds wheely fantastic. A special 1 night cycling package has been launched exclusively in York called Tour du Vin. Guests can enjoy a 2-hour guided cycle tour followed by a 2-course Sunday lunch at Hotel du Vin. After lunch guests can then explore York on foot or if they can't get enough of two wheeled travelling they can hire cycles for the afternoon. Cycle tourism in the UK is currently valued at £635 million per year. Scoot Cycles and Hotel du Vin are that confident that their active and luxurious style breaks will be a huge success. As well as the Tour du Vin package Scoot will provide Hotel du Vin with cycles and a tandem for guests to hire.

Ammie Stowell of Hotel du Vin said: "This is such a great scheme and it's really important for businesses in York to support each other. Not only are we encouraging people to come to York but to explore the area in a green and healthy way. Visitors can now combine cycling around this beautiful city and surrounding countryside knowing that when they return luxury awaits. After a day in the saddle our deep baths, comfy beds and delicious menu will be most welcome, even for the most passionate of peddlers." The package includes bed and breakfast and is available on Sunday's only for £175 based on two people sharing a room. For further information contact: Ammie Stowell www.hotelduvin.com  
www.scootcyclingholidays.co.uk  

Fast Facts:
• One of the premier cycling cities in the country - with 19% of the population cycling to work, compared to a national average of 3%
• An extensive network of over 100km of cycle routes.
• On and off-road routes provide a safe environment for both functional and leisure use. Facilities for cyclists within the city include high quality cycle parking at popular visitor destinations, combined cycling/pedestrian routes, signalled crossings, advanced stop lines at traffic signals and Bike and Ride - in conjunction with the Park and Ride scheme.
• Routes pass through the heart of the city and along the River Ouse, giving access to some of the cities most attractive landmarks and extending out in to the surrounding countryside.
• Travelling out of the city centre, the Millennium Bridge - built for cyclists and pedestrians - links important routes on both sides of the River Ouse and the Planets of the Solar System route runs south of the city.
• York is linked to several regional and national cycle networks including:
o Trans Pennine Trail - a coast to coast route linking the major towns and cities of the North.
o The Sustrans National Cycle Network Routes 65 and 66 also pass through the city, linking urban and rural routes.
o In addition the North Sea Cycle Route passes through the city. The impressive 6000km route links Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland and England.

A cycle "Hub Station" opened in Wellington Row in 2011. Services include bike repairs and sale of spare parts, sale of recycled bikes, parking for up to 100 bikes, shower and changing facilities, locker storage and a small café area. Tel: 01904 733789 www.bikerescueproject.org.uk  Hours of operation: Mon - Sat 7am - 7pm. Not open on Sunday at the moment.

Some useful websites for cycling in and around the city of York:
For information on getting to and around York, and to plan your trip, visit: www.visityork.org
For more information on cycling in York visit www.york.gov.uk/cycling/  
For details of national routes and links to York visit: www.sustrans.org.uk  
For details on the Planets of the Solar System route visit: www.solar.york.ac.uk
Sustrans
Sustrans, Senior Press Officer, Tel 0117 915 0128 email wendy.johnson@sustrans.org.uk

For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact: York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the website at www.visityork.org.

Press contact:  Kay Hyde, PR Manager - Visit York, Tel: 01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org, website: www.visityork.org.