National Cycle Network

The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes that cover most of the mainland United Kingdom. The routes are chosen to minimise contact with normal traffic, for example by using former pedestrian routes, disused railways, or using very minor roads, or traffic-calmed routes in towns and cities. The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans (Sustainable Transport), whose goal was to create 5,000 miles of cycle routes by the year 2000. This was achieved, and the goal is now to double that by the year 2005. At present (2003) the network is approximately 7,000 miles in total length.

The network is comprehensively signposted using a white bicycle symbol on a blue background, and the NCN route number in white in a red inset box. There are also a number of regional routes, facilitating the expansion of the network to smaller towns and cities with ten designated regions. Regional routes are indicated with white numbers on a blue background. The system is based on that used by the Danish Cycle Network.

The main national routes are:

• Route 1 - Dover to the Orkney Islands, via London, Edinburgh, John o' Groats
• Route 2 - South coast, from Dover to Bodmin
• Route 3 - Bristol to Land's End, incorporating The Cornish Way and The West Country Way
• Route 4 - London to St. David's in West Wales.
• Route 5 - Reading to Holyhead, via Birmingham and The Midlands
• Route 6 - Windsor to The Lake District, via Derby and the Pennine Cycleway
• Route 7 - Carlisle to Inverness
• Route 8 - Cardiff to Holyhead through the heart of Wales. Also known as Lôn Las Cymru
• Route 9 - Belfast to Dublin (proposed)