Traffic-free cycling routes in the UK

This is a growing collection of traffic-free and family-friendly cycling routes in the UK. To find a traffic-free cycle route guide, simply click on the coloured lines on the map below.

Family-friendly cycling routes in the UK

The map below shows the individual traffic-free and family-friendly cycle routes. Clicking on any route will take you to the route guide for it.

The routes have a grading system, to make it easy for those cycling with especially younger children, and also more nervous cyclists, to easily assess a route’s suitability. That rating system is explained here. Routes are rated for safety, route surface, availability of toilets and refreshment stops, what barriers may exist and finally, how hilly the route is, plus more.

The map has a sliding list, listing all the routes. Clicking the left arrow at the top will hide that list. Clicking the name of any route on the list will take you to the route guide for that route, and clicking the “Zoom” link will zoom the map in to show just that route. Simply click the Full View button to zoom out again.

When clicking a route on the map, a small pop-up window will appear, telling you a bit more about the route. It also contains a link to the route guide. Using the filter fields, you can easily select routes by hilliness, child-friendliness, café stops (which actually includes pubs) and by what bike.

The bike categories are Everything, meaning trikes, tandems and cargo bikes will be fine using the route, Standard Bikes, meaning trikes and cargo bikes will probably struggle to get through, and Gravel or MTB, for routes that can be more rough.

Alternatively, if you simply want to see a list of all traffic-free cycling route guides, simply click this link.