Sustrans

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Sustrans.

National cycle network.


The name Sustrans was formed from the two words, sustainable transport. It is an organisation that slowly evolved thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of a group of people who came together during the late seventies, with the sole intention of creating better and safer facilities for cyclists. That forgotten group of road users, who after many years of increasing motor car use, were gradually being pushed and squeezed off the roads, while their safety became totally neglected and their lives were being put in danger. After years of hard work trying to influence and cajole sceptical and sometimes indifferent local authorities and government departments to take up their ideas, Sustrans finally succeeded in September 1995 when they were awarded a grant of £42.5 million of lottery funding by the Millennium Commission. This substantial amount of money along with local authority grants, cycle trade donations and money raised by many other forms of fund raising, allowed the construction of The National Cycle Network to continue at a much faster pace. 5000 miles were officially opened in June 2000 with the same amount due to be completed by the end of 2005, a truly amazing achievement!

The name Sustrans was formed from the two words, sustainable transport. It is an organisation that slowly evolved thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of a group of people who came together during the late seventies, with the sole intention of creating better and safer facilities for cyclists. That forgotten group of road users, who after many years of increasing motor car use, were gradually being pushed and squeezed off the roads, while their safety became totally neglected and their lives were being put in danger.

After years of hard work trying to influence and cajole sceptical and sometimes indifferent local authorities and government departments to take up their ideas, Sustrans finally succeeded in September 1995 when they were awarded a grant of £42.5 million of lottery funding by the Millennium Commission. This substantial amount of money along with local authority grants, cycle trade donations and money raised by many other forms of fund raising, allowed the construction of The National Cycle Network to continue at a much faster pace. 5000 miles were officially opened in June 2000 with the same amount due to be completed by the end of 2005, a truly amazing achievement!

The network winds its way along quiet unclassified country roads, 33% of it is traffic free on disused railways and surfaced farm roads, it travels in and out of our cities and towns on purpose made cycle tracks and other routes designed with safety in mind. It is a wonderful amenity for the whole community to use, not just the regular army of cycling enthusiasts that will always be there. Local people can use it to cycle to work, children can use it to get to school, and families can enjoy a days ride in the country.

I am sure that there will be a few keen cyclists who will see it as a challenge and not rest until they have ridden the whole of the network, a daunting task for anyone to undertake. The whole of the network is well sign posted, just follow the small blue markers with their white bicycles and their red route numbers, which soon become familiar and reassuring signs.

Without any doubt at all, one of the finest millennium gifts to the nation was The National Cycle Network. It was initially created by a small group of individuals, with enough vision and determination to see such a far sighted and worthwhile project through. It is a great asset to the country, that will be used by it's people for many years to come.

A BIG VOTE OF THANKS IS GIVEN TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED.


Be sure to make good use of these excellent safe and quiet cycle routes
away from the traffic. They are a wonderful facility for cyclists.