Hedgehog Cycling

Leeds Road, Harrogate

The Rapid Cycleway Prioritisation Tool suggests Leeds Road as a top ranked new cycleway, so I went to see why it's suitable.

Read about the Leeds Road, Harrogate.

NYCC bid for active travel funds

5th June 2020

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) is to bid for funding for active travel improvements in response to the pandemic.

Read about the NYCC bid for active travel funds.

Grant Shapps announces £250m for pop-up bike lanes

9th May 2020

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps today announced £250 million for pop-up bike lanes. He promised further money, and measures including a National Cycling Champion.

Read about the Grant Shapps announces £250m for pop-up bike lanes.

Gear Change vision for cycling and walking

28th July 2020

The government's plans to boost cycling and walking are announced today, with a press release and a document called 'Gear Change, A bold vision for cycling and walking'. Plans include new standards for cycle infrastructure and an inspectorate to enforce them, Active Travel England.

Read about Gear Change vision for cycling and walking.

Hiking routes to Woods Interiors

18th June 2020

The owner of Woods Interiors wants Harrogate's Coronavirus response to be that we abandon all plans to make the town more friendly for people on foot and on bikes. He's worried about parking. I suggest some hiking routes to Woods Interiors, including Victoria Avenue to Station Parade.

Read about hiking routes to Woods Interiors.

Ricky Ross cyclist-bashing

28th May 2020

Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue band member) kicked off a thread of cyclist-bashing on Twitter. All the usual prejudices were trotted out, before some pithy replies.

Read about the Ricky Ross cyclist-bashing.

Paris to become "100% vélo"

9th February 2020

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has put the environment and sustainable transport at the heart of her 2020 re-election campaign, with parking spaces to be replaced by wider pavements and bike lanes.

Read about Paris to become "100% vélo".

ECF Safer Cycling Advocate Program

17th January 2020

The European Cyclists' Federation has produced a report titled the Safer Cycling Advocate Program. It draws on Dutch and Danish expertise, and is designed to help people in other countries campaign for better cycling facilities.

Read about ECF Safer Cycling Advocate Program.

NYCC to consult over EATF Tranche 2 bid

9th July 2020

After missing out on half its Tranche 1 bid for Emergency Active Travel Fund money, North Yorkshire County Council is to consult community groups over its Tranche 2 bid for £1,065,000.

Read about NYCC to consult over EATF Tranche 2 bid.

Response to Chris Batley of Smithers Harrogate

25th June 2020

Chris Batley wrote to the Yorkshire Post objecting to positive plans for the town centre. I set out the reasons why I don't agree, and why his arguments don't reflect the facts.

Read a response to Chris Batley of Smithers, Harrogate.

Côte de Lofthouse road cycling route

This circular road cycling route starts in Harrogate, and heads up to Pateley Bridge then Lofthouse. It climbs the Côte de Lofthouse, which featured on the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire, then returns via Grewelthorpe, Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Studley Royal and Ripley to Harrogate. It's on quiet, country roads, features beautiful scenery, and there's the challenge of a steep ascent.

Read about this Côte de Lofthouse road cycling route.

Grassington Yorkshire Dales road cycling route

This circular road cycling route starts in Grassington, and heads north up Wharfedale then Littondale to Halton Gill. It climbs to Malham Tarn, then returns via Malham, Kirkby Malham, Airton, Hetton, and Cracoe to Malham. The roads are quiet, and the ride takes in lanes lined with dry stone walls, open fells, and villages of limestone-built houses, as well as views of Malham Cove.

Read about this Yorkshire Dales road cycling route.

Nidderdale Greenway

The best and most popular cycleway in Harrogate, the Nidderdale Greenway goes about 4 miles to Ripley, using the trackbed of a disused railway. It opened in May 2013.

Fewston, Beecroft, & Timble bike trail

Our guide to the bike trail on Yorkshire Water's land at Fewston reservoir, through the Beecroft Plantation and Timble woods. Read about the Fewston, Beecroft, & Timble woods bike trail.

Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track

A new Hedgehog Guide to the Cinder Track cycle route, along the old railway from Scarborough to Whitby, with full-colour (!) photos, including lots of Yorkshire sunshine. This 21.5 mile route has beautiful views, and there's wonderful wildlife along the way, for example house martins and swallows at Ravenscar. Read about the Scarborough to Whitby Cinder Track.

York to Beningbrough cycle route

There's a great cycle route from the centre of York to Beningbrough, partly on tarmacked path by the river Ouse, and partly on quiet roads. It ends up at Beningbrough Hall, an C18th National Trust property (where cyclists are entitled to a free cup of tea). Read the Hedgehog guide to the York to Beningbrough cycle route.

Settle to Clapham cycle route

The latest in Hedgehog's Sustrans Slow Tour of Yorkshire series, Stage 6 is a nice ride on quiet back roads from Settle to Clapham. There's just enough hill-age to make it interesting, and there are plenty of options for a cup of tea or a pint of beer.

Read about Stage 6, Settle to Clapham.