where can I cycle?

You can cycle on almost any road (except motorways) as well as cycle paths, bridleways and shared-use pavements. Use your common sense and avoid busy junctions, large roundabouts and dual carriageways if you are not confident using them.

Quiet roads and cycle paths are ideal, but remember that cycling on the pavement is illegal unless it has been officially converted to shared-use (shown by a blue circular sign with a bike and pedestrians on it).

Maps

There is a set of 6 cycle route maps covering all of Tyne and Wear and South East Northumberland. The maps are free and available from local libraries and tourist information centres. Alternatively contact your council’s cycling officer (see below) who will post you one.

You can also download the maps from our Library by clicking this link.

You can also download the Rights of Way map for Tyne and Wear, which includes off-road routes that might be useful for your journey, or just for some weekend fun! Just remember that you can’t legally cycle on Public Footpaths.

For more information you may find the following useful;

Cycling-related Council contacts and websites

                    
Links and advice

Sustrans - the UK’s leading sustainable travel charity
Cyclists’ Touring Club - the UK’s national cyclist organisation. Membership includes a useful 3rd-party insurance cover.
British Cycling to meet other cyclists.
Bikebudi is a free site which aims to match you up with other people cycling your way.
WhyCycle for Impartial cycling advice aimed particularly at beginners.
Bike For All for more advice on buying a bike.
Cycling England is the body which promotes cycling in England, distributes grants and help to set technical standards.
Salary Sacrifice bike purchase schemes, and further information.