I’d like to start cycling in York. Can you help?
Yes! If you are new or a returner to cycling, we offer a free Cake Confidence start cycling scheme with friendly advice, bike loans, confidence training, and 1:1 buddy rides – guaranteed to get you cycling! The scheme is currently on hold until we secure continuation fudning. Email yorkbikebelles@gmail.com to be put on a waiting list.
If you’d like to hire a bike only, Get Cycling offer a range of hire bikes, including Cargo Bikes for families. If you would like cycle training for children, try Go Get Riding. If you would like to buy or repair a bike, try one of the many bike shops in York.
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 new York Cycle Routes videos.
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.
Finally, have a look at the Wild York website, a new (2022) directory of green spaces across York to enjoy.
I’d like to walk more around York. Can you help?
Yes! We run free monthly walks as part of our Walking Book Group, and regular Nature Time Walks. 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:
I Spy Family Trail – new for 2021
Exploring York maps – new for 2020
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 offer for recycling. Is there anywhere that recycles bikes in York?
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 and the Executive Member for Transport, Cllr. D’Agorne. 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.
There is now a very useful Is it flooded? website that shows which riverside paths are flooded after heavy rains, and when they are clear, with Twitter alerts @FloodsYork. Thank you to Richard Lane for creating this excellent tool, for free!
We suggest you also follow the York cycling community on Twitter to keep up to date with the state of the cycling network @yorkbikebelles @yorkcycle @itravelyork and, of course, @yorkgritter.
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, respectful space and community where people who wish to walk, cycle and adopt an active outdoor lifestyle can receive and share useful information, gain skills and confidence, and connect with us, each other, the natural world and the global walking, cycling and nature movement.
How do I keep up to date with your work?
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. And sign up to our Newsletter below:
How far do your Rides go?
Usually not more than one hour each way, a distance of 6 – 15 miles in all. We go at a steady pace with breaks and make sure that everyone can keep up. This makes these rides suitable for people of most ages and abilities.
If you want a longer, faster Ride, try York Breeze Rides for women or York Outdoor Group.
York Bike Belles 