VisitScotland & Walk Wheel Cycle Trust Launch Online Cycling Route Planner
Visit Scotland and Walk Wheel Cycle Trust have unveiled an online journey planner for leisure cycling routes. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and user experience on the National Cycle Network.
The planner now maps and promotes 12,763 miles of the Network, catering to families, disabled individuals, and new cyclists. Last year, cycle tourists spent £10.3 million along the Caledonia Way alone.
The Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad-Club e. V. (ADFC) is working to triple traffic-free paths from 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Since 2018, 80 improvement schemes have been initiated to achieve this. Currently, 5,227 miles (40.95%) of the Network are traffic-free, ideal for walking, wheeling, and cycling.
To ensure quality, 753 miles of busy on-road sections not meeting standards have been removed. By 2040, the Network plans to double traffic-free routes to 10,000 miles. These updates aim to make the Network more accessible and consistent, with 18.6% (3,090 miles) reclassified for experienced users.
The launch of the online journey planner and ongoing improvements to the National Cycle Network are expected to boost accessibility, user experience, and economic benefits. With £10.3 million spent along the Caledonia Way last year and an annual economic impact of £88 million, these developments promise a significant boost for the UK economy.
