I’d like to start or return to cycling in York. Can you help?
Our Start Cycling with Cake Confidence scheme is currently on hold until we secure more financial support.
Try the Council’s Urban Cycle Skills for cycle training or York Breeze Rides for women or York Outdoor Group for group rides.
If you would like to buy a new or second hand bike or get a bike repaired, try one of the many bike shops in York. We do not currently have the capacity to offer bike loans or advise on buying or repairing bikes.
How do I find the best cycling routes around York?
Have a look at the York Cycle Map or CycleStreets when planning specific cycling journeys. Or take a look at the York Cycle Routes videos or the all ability Accessible Trails in York guide.
The Slow Tour of Yorkshire routes are easy cycling day trips from York, 2 go directly from York (to Naburn and Beningbrough Hall), and 3 others are at the end of a short train journey (Scarborough, Harrogate, Leeds). Detailed maps are on the links below:
Try our Nature Time Routes – ideas for green routes where you can enjoy nature on a walk or ride around York, all year round! There’s also a selection of Easy Cycle Ride Maps for Leisure in York and a guide on the York to Riccall Path.
Finally, have a look at the Wild York website, a directory of green spaces across York to enjoy.
I’d like to walk more around York. Can you help?
Yes! We run free weekly walks during seasonal programmes as part of our Take the Green Route! project and monthly walks as part of our Walking Book Group. And why not try our Nature Time Routes for ideas?
York Health Walks has an extensive programme of free led walks, and there are now over 20 walking groups in York. Check out the iTravel York Walk webpage.
If additional support to walk more and get outside is needed, there’s a local Move Mates scheme that offers a walking ‘mate’, and an Ecotherapy programme from St Nick.
Finally, there’s a number of good walking maps for York. You’ll find some on the following links:
All ability Accessible Trails in York
York Civic Trust “Trust Trails”
City of York Council Leisure Maps
South Bank History Walk, with audio trail
I’ve got an old bike I’d like to donate or recycle. Is there anywhere that recycles bikes in York?
We do not have the capacity to store any additional bikes. Try Re Cycle Bikes on Walmgate. Or you could donate your bike to Bikes for Refugees.
I want to report/ complain about an obstruction or other problem on a walking or cycling route in York. What can I do?
You can report any road, pavement or walking cycling route problem to City of York Council online. Any other issues with walking cycling routes or facilities, you can email the Council at walking.cycling@york.gov.uk and also report it to your local Councillor. All current Councillor contact details here.
If you’d like to get involved in campaigning for safe, convenient and accessible infrastructure and facilities around the city, try York Cycle Campaign.
How can I find out if walking and cycling paths have been gritted during the colder months and/ or the riverside paths are flooded?
Some of the most popular walking and cycling paths are now gritted by a “baby gritter” over the winter at the same time as the road network, including the city centre riverside paths, Millennium and Scarborough Bridges, Foss Islands Path and the Greenway across the Knavesmire to York College. The York Gritting Map shows the gritted road and cycle routes across the city.
You could try Is it flooded? or York floodmapper. Is it flooded? shows which riverside paths are flooded after heavy rains, and when they are clear again. York Floodmapper has more detail about the progress of flooding on walking and cycling routes and riverside spaces across the city.
How do I open a gate on a cycle path (for a trailer or wider bike)?
You can get hold of a key for the radar lock gates on cycle routes by visiting City of York Council reception desk at West Offices. There is a form to fill out and a refundable deposit to pay, unless you are disabled. Or you can buy a radar key online – it’s the standard disabled toilet key.
How can I join YBB?
We are not a membership organisation. Just connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Linked In, email us or come along to one of our activities. You can dip in and out of social media and activities as suits you. We provide a positive, supportive space and community. People who wish to walk, cycle and adopt active nature-friendly lifestyles can receive and share useful information and gain skills and confidence in a friendly community. They can connect with us, each other, the natural world and the global walking, cycling and nature movement and enjoy a rewarding way of life.
How do I keep up to date with your work?
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