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Cycling-related information for tourists and visitors to Cambridge

Maps and Cycling Information

If you're looking for maps of Cambridge and the surrounding area, many of the bookshops in Cambridge (and there are lots) sell local maps. There are also a number of booklets and leaflets describing rides in the area.

We've helped produce a new cycle route map for the City which is now into its second edition. There's an on-line copy and if you contact us with a stamped-addressed envelope, we will send you a printed one. You may also be able to find one at the tourist information centre.

The Tourist Information Centre has much information for visitors:

Tourist Information Centre Wheeler Street
Cambridge CB2 3QB
01223 - 322640
tourism@cambridge.gov.uk

Also, detailed information about where you can and can't cycle in the city centre is available.

Hiring bikes

If you're visiting the area for a few days, why not rent a bike and see the countryside?

There are plenty of shops in Cambridge which rent bikes. There is a list called Bike Hire in Cambridge on the University of Cambridge Web site. The Tourist Information Centre also has a list.

We ourselves (Cambridge Cycling Campaign) do NOT offer bike hire services.

Bikes on trains

Despite restrictions on bikes on trains around the country, it's still comparatively easy to take a bike on some trains to and from Cambridge. There is no charge for bikes on those direct trains to and from Cambridge which allow bikes (almost nowhere charges any more).

Services to Ely are operated by three different companies, all with different rules. Services to London are operated by two different companies, again with different rules.

Most trains won't carry specialized equipment (trikes, trailers etc) but all will take folding bikes at any time (though we are hearing reports that some stations - not Cambridge - will not let you through the barrier with the bikle unfolded). Replacement bus services never take (non-folding) bikes (though sometimes you can get sympathetic treatment locally).

The only web site on which you used to be able to make cycle reservations has now disappeared with the demise of the East Coast franchise. You have to visit a station to make a reservation.

London Kings Cross via Stevenage and Royston: Trains from London Kings Cross are operated by First Capital Connect. This is a fast and frequent service. See their current cycle policy. In summary to and from Cambridge (including their trains continuing to/from Ely and Kings Lynn) you can put bikes in any doorway vestibule. However, bikes are banned completely on trains leaving between 0745 and 0845 weekdays from Cambridge to London and other stations beyond Stevenage or arriving in Cambridge from London and other stations before Stevenage (except the 0715 and 0745 departures from London Kings Cross on which bikes are allowed).

London Liverpool Street via Bishops Stortford: Trains to and from London Liverpool Street are operated by National Express East Anglia (NXEA), who also have a detailed cycle policy. Again you can put bikes in doorways, but bikes are not allowed at all on peak services: those towards Liverpool Street between 0745 and 0945 or leaving between 1630 and 1830, or to Cambridge from Audley End or Ely between 0745 and 0845.

Norwich via Ely and Thetford, and Ipswich via Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds: Trains to and from Norwich and Ipswich are also operated by NXEA. The rules are different again: trains will take a maximum of four bikes in a designated space (look for the logo by the relevant door - in most of the Norwich trains it is in the middle by the disabled toilet, and at one end on most Ipswich trains) but there are no time restrictions. There is usually little problem getting on these trains but occasionally they substitute trains whiuch will only take two bikes. Note that indirect services to Norwich changing at Ely are operated by Cross Country (see below) which are much more restrictive.

Birmingham, Leicester and Peterborough: From the north and west (via Peterborough and Ely) the operator is Cross Country Trains (see their policy information). These are more restricted: there is only space for two bikes and you are advised to make a reservation. You can book any time up to departure if there is space, which there often is. (Their website implies they will accept bikes without booking if there is space but experience shows you may have problems if you try it).

Stansted Airport: Cross Country Trains also operate direct to and from Stansted Airport. (Note that indirect services changing at Bishops Stortford won't take bikes at all on the short Stansted Express leg, though it is only a short bike ride between the airport and Bishops Stortford). Bikes can be taken on most planes: many of the low cost airlines operate out of Stansted to cities across Europe and will carry bikes at a modest extra charge. Be prepared to let down tyres and turn handlebars.

England's Cycling Country

The East of England Tourist Board 'England's Cycling Country' scheme is a great source of information for cyclists new to the area. Their information packs (cost £5 including package and posting) are packed with details of cycle rides. Three packs are available:

There's also a booklet, called 'England's Cycling Country', with summaries of all the rides, and lots of extra information about

Information is available from:

East of England Tourist Board
Toppesfield Hall
Hadleigh
Suffolk IP7 5DN
Tel: +44 - 1473 - 822922
Fax: +44 - 1473 - 823063

Hull to Harwich

If you want to go even further afield, you could try part, or all, of the "Eastern Heritage Cycle Route". Joining the ferry ports of Hull and Harwich, this 370 mile (590km) route travels along minor country roads, cycle tracks, disused railways and river banks.

More information is available from:

Linconshire Tourism,
Lincoln Castle,
Lincoln,
LN1 3AA, UK.
Tel: +44 - 1522 - 526450
Fax: +44 - 1522 - 526431

Other Information

The University of Cambridge website has an extremely useful set of pages entitled Cambridge area information.