Walking and cycling

York is one of the country's premier cycling cities, with traffic-free routes, quiet country roads and on-road cycle lanes. York provides the ideal setting for a leisurely family day out or a longer distance ride for the more experienced cyclist.

York's historic city centre contains one of the largest traffic-free pedestrian areas in Europe so you can enjoy the city on foot. Cycle parking is provided at several sites on the edge of the pedestrian zone.

Download Yorks' cycle route maps on the right hand side of this page. The maps are also available free from cycle shops around the city, libraries, Tourist Information Centres and council offices.

The maps are derived from NRSC aerial photography. Unauthorised reproduction infringes copyright and may lead to legal proceedings. City of York Council, Licence No. 97192.

Cycle events in York include Bike Week and the York Cycle Show.

In this section:

• Bike security
  Lock it or lose it - advice on keeping your bicycle secure
• Cycle lanes and routes
  York is one of the country's premier cycling cities, with traffic-free routes, quiet country roads and on-road cycle lanes
• Cycle training
  Cycle training for adults and information about training offered in schools
• Cycling
  York is regarded as one of the country's premier cycling cities. It has an extensive network of off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes for cyclists of all ages and abilities to enjoy
• Public rights of way
  There are about 212km of public rights of way in the York area
• Road safety - cycling and walking to school
  School travel plans help to reduce the effects of the 'school run' on congestion and pollution
• School crossing patrols
  We provide school crossing patrols. We are not required to provide crossing patrols by law but we do so as a matter of safety
• Walking
  Walking is an ideal form of exercise. It requires no equipment or expense and is one of the best ways for you to become more active.