Currently live and regularly updated. Check main page for progess
Here's an index page for the Cambridge Video Clip Cycling Guide. Here's a full map of the coverage including the KML for the whole picture. The KML data is best viewed using Google Earth, especially in conjunction with the Excel tool, but still can be accessed using Google Maps through any web browser.
View Cambridge Video Routes Guide in a larger map or Download KML directly
There are several index pages in two types for this group of pages and associated YouTube clips and KML files.
- The Streets Index pages, listing in street order with route clips with start times and local area KML files for use and download
A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z - The Routes Index pages, listing in route order showing streets used with detailed description and local area KML files for use and download
A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z
There are some extra links provided where valid for taking a broader view. Both these indexes and the KML files will keep building as more clips get added on YouTube.
The Routes Index
Reasonable
Lagdens Grove Road (YouTube) A usually quiet route, although look out for speeding drivers. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. Usually quiet but be aware that some drivers will speed along here at over 60mph as it's quite straight. | Starts on Lagdens Grove Road; |
Friendly
Lammas Land Road, Barton Road Cyclepath, Grange Road (YouTube) A quiet link through west Cambridge. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Lammas Land road is quiet but does have traffic along it. This can be a little awkward given the roadspace. The crossing at the end of the road is a cycles-only crossing, so the signals MUST be obeyed. Also be aware that people driving can get confused with the nearby pedestrian lights and cross at red, take lots of care! I actually get off to cross to save a long unnecessary wait. Barton Road cyclepath is very good for getting away from the busy road environment and littering of (legally and illegally) parked cars. Sadly you have to take special care of each crossing side route. Although the principle of making road-markings signal no right of way for anyone, people driving sometimes use their bulk to ignore this. It's especially awkward when they can't get any further due to road congestion and then just sit there blocking the route to others. Progressing up Grange Road, the cyclelane is more of a road sign to tell people driving they may be people cycling here. It's certainly not much use for people cycling. A lot is too small and has the usual gutter issues of road debris, litter, drains, and poor road surface. Secondary position is roughly at the lane edge paint. It's worth taking the primary position here if you feel threatened by a poor overtake and certainly with oncoming traffic. The facilities at traffic calming are useful, although can have cars illegally parked, especially outside Robinson College. Note that it is worth being a bit further out in the road past side junctions. At one point the road narrows from the left. I pull out earlier than the corner to stop poor passes and being driven into the pavement. When at the Robinson College restriction be very careful as people can run out of the college and into the road. It's worth considering taking the motor-vehicle route through here if it looks busy on the pavement. Oncoming people driving may not spot that you might do this, being further out will help. This may be required as often there are delivery and taxi vehicles parked up in the cyclelane here. It's a shame that Robinson College don't see fit to tell people driving on their behalf not to do this. | Starts on Lammas Land Road; Barton Road Cyclepath; at 00:14; Grange Road; at 00:38; |
Friendly
Latham Road, Latham Close (YouTube) A vaguely useful link through the south-west of Cambridge. Summer only. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quiet back route onto the Coe Fen. It's not quicker really and is a bit muddier than the cyclepath route. The road is quite worn with a lot of side accesses of which to be wary, especially the school. Just before the end, the turn down to a school playing fields joins Latham Lane. Take care crossing the residential road halfway down. | Starts on Latham Road; Latham Close; at 00:19; |
Reasonable
Leefe Road Path, Leefe Road (YouTube) A useful link into Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. A link into the local residential streets along some very old style segregated paths. Take care of parked cars in the road. | Starts on Leefe Road Path; Leefe Road; at 00:12; |
Mixed
Lensfield Road, Trumpington Street (YouTube) A slightly hostile route in the south-west centre. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Lensfield Road has enough space to do a better protected cyclepath, especially at the Hills Road end. It's not the nicest place to ride, but it is quick and short. While passing the parked cars (another reason for a better road design), remember to avoid riding in the door zone. When turning right at the roundabout, look and move into the primary position in the right turning lane. Trumpington Street is not too pleasant either. The traditional gutters, if pretty, are a bit of a worry as there's no exit that way if bad driving. This is the main route into the central multi-storey carpark, so it can be a bit busy. Notice that all the cars that pass don't do so for very long. I do wiggle through traffic. This really isn't recommended and I do jump when passing the bus, so it's not worthwhile doing on that basis. I'm not quite sure why the bus has pulled right over to the left. Also note the 4x4 letting people cycling out and turning left. Cars may not indicate that they are going to do that, so it's worth holding back. | Starts on Lensfield Road; Trumpington Street; at 00:14; |
Reasonable
Lichfield Road, Coleridge Road, Fanshawe Road (YouTube) Coming towards town avoiding Perne and Cherry Hinton Roads. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Coming towards town avoiding Perne and Cherry Hinton Roads. Lichfield Road is a bit windy and has some parked cars. Remember to avoid the door zone and be aware of oncoming people driving without taking that into consideration. Turn right onto Coleridge Road but turn left off it at the first opportunity. Fanshawe Road has a lot of parked cars, so continue to ride accordingly. Routes onwards go over the railway cycle bridge and through many quiet roads into the town centre. | Starts on Lichfield Road; Coleridge Road; at 00:21; Fanshawe Road; at 00:27; |
Friendly
Lichfield Road, Lichfield Path (YouTube) A short link to get you away from Cherry Hinton Road, cutting the corner to Perne Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A short link to get you away from Cherry Hinton Road, cutting the corner to Perne Road. The route has lots of parked cars so ride out of the door zone and be aware of oncoming people driving without taking that into consideration. The path is narrow and has a poorly sighted turn, so take great care of people walking. | Starts on Lichfield Road; Lichfield Path; at 00:20; |
Friendly
Lolworth Byway and Village (YouTube) A rough route towards Lolworth and through the village. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. Some of a great green route between two hamlets. Passable for most of the year. Once in the village look out for parked cars. | Starts on Lolworth Byway, Lolworth; High Street, Lolworth; at 00:58; Robin Lane, Lolworth; at 01:15; |
Friendly
Lolworth to Boxworth (YouTube) A rough route from Lolworth to Boxworth. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. Some of a great green route between two villages. Passable for most of the year. In the village look out for parked cars. | Starts on Redlands Road, Lolworth; Yarmouth Farm Track, Lolworth; at 00:10; Yarmouth Farm Bridleway, Lolworth; at 00:30; Manor Lane, Boxworth; at 01:22; |
Reasonable
Long Road (YouTube) The main route across the south of town, hostile when in the roadspace but a lot of shared-use path available. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This starts on a narrow road which can get busy. Then, at a new junction there's a painted line on the road doing very little to protect anyone cycling. If this feels unsafe for you, do use the shared-use path, although there are plenty of side accesses of which to be wary. With a vast amount of space for proper infrastructure, this seems like a bodged arrangement. I use the shared-use path on the bridge as the side accesses are minimal and the relative speeds are much more here. The usual issue with shared-use paths, a van parked up in it leaves just as I arrive, not stopping for traffic in the process. I get back onto the shared-use path quite soon afterwards as it's a good access route into the traffic lights at Hills Road, although not needed this time. | Starts on Long Road; |
Reasonable
Long Road (from Rutherford Road) (YouTube) This avoids the narrow start to this road by using the corner shortcut from Trumpington Road (coming out of town). Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This avoids the narrow start to this road by using the corner shortcut from Trumpington Road (coming out of town). I stay on the shared-use path on the bridge as the side accesses are minimal and the relative speeds are much more here. Look carefully if pulling out onto the road like I do to avoid the prioritised side road. I get back onto the shared-use path quite soon afterwards as it's still quite good. It's worthwhile staying on the shared-use path as it's good access to the traffic lights, although I've clearly got something else in mind on this clip (hmm!). | Starts on Long Road; |
Reasonable
Long Road (West) (YouTube) The main route across the south of town, hostile roadspace with a lot of shared-use path but many side accesses. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Getting round the corner onto Long Road can be done more easily on the share-use path. However, with high numbers of pedestrians (at this time), and lots of (blind) side accesses and prioritised side roads, I do find it easier to come off the shared-use path quite quickly. Passing the large entrance to Robinson Way is a great example of prioritised side roads destroying the capabilities of shared-use paths. Do notice the pedestrian crossing pinch point causes conflict between people cycling and driving. It's worth getting into the primary position well before it and then using the exit to get onto the shared-use path for the bridge. The side accesses are minimal and the relative speeds are much more here. After the bridge, the usual "can't decide" infrastructure issue exists. If you don't feel happy on the road here, use the shared-use path through the junction where the side road is prioritised. I stick with the road which at least has a protected access. After the junction all cycle traffic is taken into the road which narrows. Again, take the primary position if you feel you are going to get poor passes. I get scared enough by some approaching cars that I use the pavement. At the junction at the end, the crossing to the other side of Trumpington Road is from the middle of Long Road. You can access from either lane (sadly by getting off). | Starts on Long Road; |
Friendly
Long Road Guided Busway Link (East) (YouTube) A useful link for a few residents, but not very effective exit from path. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A useful link for a few residents, but not very effective exit from path. Needed (but difficult!) in other direction from Guided Busway. Short with a good surface. Treat either end with care as junction without "natural" priority & look out for workers and vegetation on the way. | Starts on Long Road Guided Busway Link; |
Friendly
Long Road Guided Busway Link (West) (YouTube) A useful link for a few residents, but not very effective exit from path. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A useful link for a few residents, but not very effective exit from path. Needed (but difficult!) in other direction from Guided Busway. Short with a good surface. Treat either end with care as junction without "natural" priority & look out for workers and vegetation on the way. | Starts on Long Road Guided Busway Link; |
Friendly
Long Road Southside Guide Busway Access (East) (YouTube) A short link for the south side of Long Road. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. Access to the Guided Busway path from the south side of Long Road, enabling access without crossing over busy traffic. | Starts on Long Road Southside Guide Busway Access; |
Friendly
Long Road Southside Guide Busway Access (West) (YouTube) A short link for the south side of Long Road. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. Access to the Guided Busway path from the south side of Long Road, enabling access without crossing over busy traffic. | Starts on Long Road Southside Guide Busway Access; |
Friendly
Madingley Rise Astronomy Dept, Churchill Road (YouTube) A great quiet link through west Cambridge. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Access up Madingley Rise Astronomy Department is not obviously public, although the Google Street view cameras did go up here. There's an access restrictor with a side egress for people cycling. The road surface is very good. At the end the road doesn't have any indicators that it's one-way, although lorries are guided left. To the right of hte main building there's a link through to Churchill Road. It's pretty narrow so speeds must be slow ready to stop for others walking and riding. The route turns left then right with a few egresses to buildings around. Eventually where the main path turns left towards Storey's Way (and a quicker link through to Huntingdon Road), there's an access down to Churchill Road. Take care accessing the road space, although it is a limited use area. Churchill Road has lots of parked cars, so remember to ride out of the door zone. | Starts on Madingley Rise Astronomy Dept; Churchill Road; at 00:45; |
Friendly
Madingley Rise Crombie Laboratory, University Farm Access (YouTube) A great quiet link through west Cambridge. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Access up Madingley Rise Crombie Laboratory is not obviously public, although the Google Street view cameras did go up here. The road surface is very good and there's plenty of cycle parking here provided by the university for their students and visitors. Turning left of the main road takes you up a side access road and at the end there's a muddy path link through to a university farm. It's pretty narrow so speeds must be slow ready to stop for others walking and riding. The route comes through to a farm track. Turning left will take you out the Huntingdon Road. | Starts on Madingley Rise Crombie Laboratory; University Farm Access; at 00:20; |
Hostile
Madingley Road (YouTube) A very hostile roadspace with some pretty poor shared-use paths require a lot of jumping around. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This can be quite unpleasant and it's worth sticking to the shared-use path where it makes for good progress. It helps passing a number of traffic lights as well. The start shows a lack of side turnings, making the shared-use path quite a good choice. After the Grange Road lights, the path narrows, more side accesses appear (most blind), and a move into the unpleasant roadspace is probably better. Sadly, with all the pinch points, a lot of drivers fail to acknowledge people cycling safety and will make close passes at speed. And clearly going faster than the 30mph speed limit. Even taking the lane on a road this wide leads to sillier actions, like the MITIE van that passes with no space. Looking to the left shows how poor the shared-use path is with multiple side roads and accesses. Further up there's an attempt to take shared-use path users into the road round a junction. It looks like it's useful, but again, dumping people cycling into the road just where there are pinch points is likely to lead to conflict. The next junction has a vast amount of space allotted to non-usuable road (white hatchings). Why isn't this usable by people cycling? And up to the 40mph limit (which most traffic has been doing for the past half mile anyway), so things get a lot more hostile form here on. Back to the shared-use path, although I'm sure the pedestrian would prefer me not to be there. At the M11 junction, I cross to the shared-use path on the other side of the road. There isn't one on this side. At least takes you away from the really quite unpleasant roadspace now. And the path dwindles until it really isn't any more than a side path. Shared-use design standards out of the window. Finally, I get to cross the road back to continue on the shared-path up the hill. Just before I nearly get knocked off by the wind blast from the juggernaut passing a few feet from me. I choose to cross the road at the junction. It gives a little higher priority than the official crossing (as any traffic on the side roads have to wait for me, not the other way round). Also, the other side is so covered in leaves, you can't make out where it is and is so slippy as to dangerous at speeds above 5mph. | Starts on Madingley Road; |
Friendly
Madingley Road Cyclepath (East) (YouTube) An off-road cyclepath along a dangerous road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| For part of the route, there's a wide shared-use path on the north side of Madingley Road. This is much nicer than the roadspace and the south side shared-use path. It can be accessed from multiple crossing routes and main road crossings. Sadly, it's only a roughly 3/4 mile long. And cost £400k if the accounts are to be believed. This seems an utterly ridiculously high cost which surely should represent buying up extra land, building a fully segregated dual direction cyclepath rather than just a wide shared-use path. Nevertheless, it's better than much of the local cycle infrastructure. Sadly, the first road crossing is another dangerous give-way-to-all-directions junction. Be aware that some people driving will use their vehicles to bully their way through here rather than giving way if they are second to the line. Luckily, the next two crossings do give priority to the shared-use path. But then, at Storeys Way, the priority disappears again. The result is that it causes conflict between people driving and people cycling towards each other, as happens here. If there was a priority across the SIDE road then that wouldn't happen. We both are fine and exchanges happy pleasantries. Notice the useful crossing which can take you to the other side before Grange Road, although there's also a crossing near the junction. The path continues and unfortunately, just when it's needed most, disappears. It does have a reasonable semi-protected exit into the roadspace. I continue and slow to car traffic speeds along here as the pinch points are not designed to take both of us at the same time. Remember to ride in the primary or secondary position dependent on road conditions and look out for people turning left into Mount Pleasant without looking inside them. | Starts on Madingley Road Cyclepath; |
Friendly
Madingley Road Cyclepath (West) (YouTube) An off-road cyclepath along a dangerous road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| For part of the route, there's a wide shared-use path on the north side of Madingley Road. This is much nicer than the roadspace and the south side shared-use path. It can be accessed from multiple crossing routes and main road crossings. Sadly, it's only a roughly 3/4 mile long. And cost £400k if the accounts are to be believed. This seems an utterly ridiculously high cost which surely should represent buying up extra land, building a fully segregated dual direction cyclepath rather than just a wide shared-use path. Nevertheless, it's better than much of the local cycle infrastructure. Starting from Grange Road, it's possible to get into the shared-use path along the south side through the lights. This side is much lower quality having had simply a change in the signage and no work down for people walking and cycling. Remember to give people walking lots of space, and sound indicators if passing from behind. You see that I do slip and slide round the first person as I have to get on the grass to get past, which is very slippery slope on mud. I cross the road at combined lights which means they are not mandatory and I can cross on red. Always take care whilst doing this. Storey's Way crossing has no priority, so take great care when pulling out. People driving have poor sightlines and are likely to not consider stopping before the road. This causes conflict between people driving and people cycling towards each other. If there was a priority across the SIDE road then that wouldn't happen. Luckily, the next two crossings do give priority to the shared-use path. Sadly, the last road crossing is another dangerous give-way-to-all-directions junction. Be aware that some people driving will use their vehicles to bully their way through here rather than giving way if they are second to the line. The path remains as shared-use but becomes quite dangerous with lack of priority and lack of width. | Starts on Madingley Road Cyclepath; |
Hostile
Madingley Road poor Cyclepath (YouTube) The very poor shared-use path on the north side of Madingley Road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Looking at some of the shared-use path on the north side of Madingley Road shows how even a place that is supposedly designed for people riding is completely inappropriate. The first section is marred by dropping in under trees. This is probably where helmet fans go to enjoy their gear as the branches, some quite big, are low enough to strike me without ducking. Then back up to the road, and a blind corner, so cut speed to avoid collisions, and right next to the road so some potentially awful consequences. Then in, away from the main route and through a slalom with all priority given to side road drivers. Some space, but I bet that hedge comes out over the path quite a lot during spring before it's cut back. Then a series of blind side accesses and roads. One with a consummately parked car. I turned off the path, having had enough of it. | Starts on Madingley Road; |
Hostile
Madingley Road Poor Cyclepath (East) (YouTube) A bad off-road cyclepath along a dangerous road. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML); West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This starts coming downhill at the end of the good shared-use path from the A428 roundabout. At the end of the path, there's a soft kerb that can be used to get out and across the main road to the poor shared-use path on the other side. This is a very tricky manoeuvre and should only be done with great care, although some speed is more beneficial. I've checked behind me and ahead that there is no traffic coming well before the start of the move. Then, I pull out well before the Coton side road, so if anything is about to turn in from that road (especially towards me), they are not going to turn into my path. If this doesn't appeal, slowly go to the side road from Coton and use it as a controlled crossing of the road. The opposite road to Madingley can also be used to get into the shared-use path opposite through the layby. Once into the road space, make a sharp turn to get into the other side shared-use path. The slight kerb, even if dropped, can be dangerous if crossed at a slight angle. Not long after one of the issues of this shared-use path is very obvious, the lack of priority over side entrances. There are loads along here, especially later on, a lot with no sightlines from the side vehicles. Whilst it seems like a good idea to have the path a long way from the road, having it next to the hedge is very dangerous. Of course, this isn't designed to be shared-use, it's only a pavement really. Later on the path gets quite cracked up, a lot going along the path. Avoid getting tyres stuck in them to avoid being thrown over the handlebars. Then, the worst bit of this path and the latest development, the turn, staggered side road crossing, and return back to the road through the SIDE access to the park and ride car park. This is one of the reasons many people cycling here simply don't use this path, is fundamentally badly put together (I wouldn't use the word "design" as it's just not appropriate). And it's back to the hedge. In summer this section does show the one reason to wear a helmet, low hanging branches. More blind side accesses with additional hazards, like bins, and poor kerbs make this a very unpleasant experience. | Starts on St Neots Road, Hardwick; Madingley Road Poor Cyclepath; at 00:07; |
Hostile
Madingley Road Poor Cyclepath (West) (YouTube) A bad off-road cyclepath along a dangerous road. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This starts at the end of a reasonable shared-use path and quickly deterioates. Not long after, one of the issues of this shared-use path is very obvious, the lack of priority over side entrances. There are loads along here, a lot with no sightlines from the side vehicles. Whilst it seems like a good idea to have the path a long way from the road, having it next to the hedge is very dangerous. Of course, this isn't designed to be shared-use, it's only a pavement really. The hedge in summer along this section does show the one reason to wear a helmet, low hanging branches. Also the path gets quite cracked up, a lot going along the path. Avoid getting tyres stuck in them to avoid being thrown over the handlebars. Then, the worst bit of this path and the latest development, the turn, staggered side road crossing, and return back to the road through the SIDE access to the park and ride car park. This is one of the reasons many people cycling here simply don't use this path, is fundamentally badly put together (I wouldn't use the word "design" as it's just not appropriate). Towards the end, I use the layby to get onto the Madingley road to get some better access into the main roadspace and crossing to the other shared-use path. The opposite road to Coton can also be used to get into the shared-use path opposite although it's awkward. If in the main road space, make a sharp turn to get into the other side shared-use path. The slight kerb can be dangerous if crossed at a slight angle. | Starts on Madingley Road Poor Cyclepath; St Neots Road, Hardwick; at 01:24; |
Hostile
Madingley Road, Northampton Street, Chesterton Road (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quite unpleasant riding environment. Starting with coming off the good shared-use path on Madingley Road, just when it's needed most. It does have a reasonable semi-protected exit into the roadspace. I continue and slow to car traffic speeds along here as the pinch points are not designed to take both of us at the same time. Remember to ride in the primary or secondary position dependent on road conditions and look out for people turning left into Mount Pleasant without looking inside them. Northampton Street is a bit wiggly, has parked cars, and can have drivers rushing a bit too much. Again, cycle out of the door zone, at least a metre away from parked cars just in case someone opens a door. Notice the car that passes me just after the roundabout. I felt it was desperate to get past me, so I held my pass of the other person cycling, despite being ahead. Notice I catch up just round the corner. Be wary of this kind of behaviour here and hold back rather than causing conflict for yourself. Chesterton Road is just the wrong width really. It encourages people driving to overtake with oncoming traffic but yet this is still not enough space as required in Highway Code rule 163. Unfortunately, even traking the primary position will get bad overtaking attempts in some parts. You really have to be on your toes swapping between primary and secondary depending on the exact conditions, remembering to have plenty of space before moving into the primary. Then, on more open stretches there are parked cars. Remember to ride outside of the door zone. The cyclelane that then appears looks to be more of a road sign for people driving just as a reminder that people may be cycling here. It's certainly not any real use for people cycling. | Starts on Madingley Road; Northampton Street; at 00:09; Chesterton Road; at 00:19; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Secondary Position, Cyclelane, Path, Shared-Use Path, Main Post
Reasonable
Madingley to Dry Drayton (YouTube) A reasonable road route linking the two villages. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. A quiet road between two villages. Using the primary position is preferable with the high hedges. | Starts on High Street, Madingley; Dry Drayton Road, Madingley; at 00:17; Madingley Road, Dry Drayton; at 00:51; |
Mixed
Magdalene Street, Bridge Street, St Johns Street, Trinity Street, Market Street, Sidney Street, St Andrews Street, Regent Street (YouTube) A useful link through central Cambridge. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Going south through the centre of town is a useful link for people cycling although it has it's awkward points. Magdalene Street is awkwardly narrow, although thankfully has little private traffic. More awkwardly it does have double-decker buses which can block up quite a section of the road. And as with most motor traffic here, will go slower that people cycling. Bridge Street has rising bollards after a few yards. Mostly it's not worth using the side lanes for bikes, but stick in the main roadspace. If a motor vehicle has just got to the bollards it can be worth using this side route but take great care pulling out just in case the person driving pulls off as you are trying to get out. Not long after you should turn either left down Round Church Street or, in this case, right along St Johns Street and Trinity Street. This is a much more limited road space and likely to be dominated by people walking. Whilst in this space take great care of people walking. They can change direction quickly, so give them plenty of space, and travel at a speed that will allow you stop at a moments notice. Try to get eye contact as this will enable you to make good decisions. Turning left into Market Street is a danger spot for people walking out without looking, so be especially careful. Also, turning right into Sidney Street, as it's unexpected as one-way for motor vehicles (but not bikes). Take care pulling out into St Andrews Street as vehicles can accelerate quickly from ahead going to the left. Also, between the Lion Yard access and the route towards the bus station, there can be a lot of people crossing. Be aware they will just follow the people in front of them without looking and be preapred to stop. Also note the volume of buses stopping here can completely block the road. Finally there's a short section up the lights on Regent Street. | Starts on Magdalene Street; Bridge Street; at 00:07; St Johns Street; at 00:13; Trinity Street; at 00:21; Market Street; at 00:29; Sidney Street; at 00:39; St Andrews Street; at 00:46; Regent Street; at 00:56; |
More links: People Walking, Main Post
Reasonable
Malcolm Street (North) (YouTube) A short link in the centre. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Really shouldn't cut the corner, but nothing else was coming. White parked car could have pulled right off the road surface into access point to behind the buildings. The road lane is very narrow. Given how long it is, taking the primary position wouldn't be a bad idea and would help oncoming people cycling as well. | Starts on Malcolm Street; |
More links: Primary Position, Main Post
Reasonable
Malcolm Street (South), Hobson Street (YouTube) The contraflow cyclelane south is a useful link into town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The contraflow cyclelane south is a useful link into town. Be aware of people driving into the lane to pass illegally parked vehicles and other people cycling. The two vehicles in the lane are illegally parked, the first reducing sight lines on the ongoing lane, the second blocking the lane. This lane is a trifle strange in that it crosses the road onto the paved area prior to the blind junction. It's a little awkward but does try to stop conflict between cycling this way and traffic coming round the corner. Of course, it's made a lot more awkward this time. Hobson Street is reasonably quiet, although there are narrow sections in which care over oncoming traffic needs to be taken. The cyclelane towards the end is merely an indicator to other vehicles, it's doesn't offer any protection, so be wary and especially of people walking on the pavement who may well step off without looking, to which people cycling do owe a duty of care. St Andrews Street is again not too bad, but really be aware when passing the taxi rank and especially half way along as people cross the road all the time. Is usually quite easy to mix and filter with them, but look for people looking. | Starts on Malcolm Street; Hobson Street; at 00:05; St Andrews Street; at 00:18; |
Mixed
Maris Lane Exit, Trumpington High Street, Anstley Way (YouTube) There's a useful exit on Maris Lane getting you out into Trumpington High Street. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| There's a useful exit on Maris Lane getting you out into Trumpington High Street. However, it's rarely cleared when adverse weather affects it, like here with excess leaves and when it snows. The cyclelane on Trumpington High Street is useful for getting out, just never assume vehicles are not in it and always look before pulling out. I'm waiting for a bigger gap to cross the whole road. If you don't feel safe doing this, use the crossing that is just the other side of the Maris Lane exit. Offroad cyclepaths go along both sides. Going through this estate is a useful link to the Guided Busway cyclepath. | Starts on Maris Lane; Trumpington High Street; at 00:08; Anstley Way; at 00:11; |
Hostile
Maris Lane, Grantchester Road, Mill Way, High Street (YouTube) A rat run for drivers, very hostile route to Grantchester. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. This is a fairly hostile route, probably due to rat running. Notice I take the primary after a poor pass early on, maybe consider that in a lot of places here, and pull in when you can as an idiot ahead is safer to you than one behind. You are likely to get a lot of MGIF attitude here, despite it not being that much quicker. | Starts on Maris Lane; Grantchester Road, Trumpington; at 00:11; Mill Way, Granchester; at 00:40; High Street, Granchester; at 01:04; |
Friendly
Market Square (YouTube) A full circuit of the market in the centre of town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone. Take great care of people walking around the town centre. Go a lot slower than normal. Try to get eye contact and consider where people might go. | Starts on Market Square; |
Mixed
Market Street, Sidney Street, St Andrews Street, Regent Street, Regent Terrace, Parkers Piece (YouTube) A useful link out south from central Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Turning left into Market Street is a danger spot for people walking out without looking, so be especially careful. Also, turning right into Sidney Street, as it's unexpected as one-way for motor vehicles (but not bikes). Take care pulling out into St Andrews Street as vehicles can accelerate quickly from ahead going to the left. Also, between the Lion Yard access and the route towards the bus station, there can be a lot of people crossing. Be aware they will just follow the people in front of them without looking and be preapred to stop. Also note the volume of buses stopping here can completely block the road. Then, through the lights on Regent Street and the roadspace becomes much less pleasant as foot traffic is replaced by people driving. Although coming with the light phase from town will mean less private cars than from the Downing Street phase. Again, this part of town is likely that it's not possible to drive any faster than it is to ride. To get out of this environment, I often turn left onto Regent Terrace. It's quieter (and if going that way you hit Gonville Place right you'll get onto Hills Road quicker). Take care of people walking here as well, give them plenty of space and give sound indicators in coming from behind. There's a short access way across the corner of Parkers Piece to a quiet route through to the station. This is actually designed as segregated infrastructure. But as it's so unusual don't expect people not to be walking here! At the end, the lights across Gonville Place are cycle-only so you must stop if they are red. You could get off and push your bike across legally, but often here it's not going to be sensible as there's a lot of traffic. | Starts on Market Street; Sidney Street; at 00:10; St Andrews Street; at 00:17; Regent Street; at 00:35; Regent Terrace; at 00:57; Parkers Piece; at 01:07; |
More links: People Walking, Main Post
Mixed
Melbourne Place, Parkside (YouTube) A narrow shared-use path which is quite useful but must be very slow. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Although this is designated as a cyclepath, it's very narrow and the utmost care should be taken of people walking. Exiting onto Parkside is a little bit awkward with parked cars often here. Always wait for traffic. Crossing the road will take you onto Parkers Piece. Going down Parkside remember to avoid riding the door zone (which I'm not sure I'm doing!). | Starts on Melbourne Place; Parkside; at 00:16; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common from Roundabout (YouTube) A good off-road route from town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, shared-use path. If using the roundabout, check people driving don't try to overtake while you are trying to make the awkward turn onto the path. It is possible, I believe, to use the cycle crossing of Emmanuel Street and Maids Causeway to avoid using the roundabout from the Kings Street direction. On the common, take care of walkers and livestock. | Starts on Midsummer Common; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common to Kings Street (YouTube) A good off-road route towards town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A good green route into town. There's a little link into Kings Street avoiding the roundabout. | Starts on Midsummer Common; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common, Fort St George Bridge, Pretoria Road, Ferry Path, Herbert Street (YouTube) A quiet link going north out of the centre. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The crossing over Maids Causeway is not mandatory (isn't a road traffic style 3 lamps), so you can go on the red light phase. Midsummer Common is usually quiet and full of people walking. Leave plenty of space. Crossing the bridge requires going very slowly and looking out for people. Drop a few gears in needed, but given the width of the bridge, go very slowly here and certainly don't harass pedestrians. Pretoria Road and Ferry Path are quiet streets, although there is some traffic and definitely parked cars of which to be wary. Crossing Chesterton Road is awkward, so take care. There is a central refuge area which helps. At the end, there's a link to take you onto Herbert Street, although sometimes cars are illegally parked here. Herbert Road has a lot of parked cars, so take care to avoid riding in the door zone and oncoming traffic not taking that into consideration. | Starts on Midsummer Common; Fort St George Bridge; at 00:20; Pretoria Road; at 00:31; Hamilton Road; at 00:38; Ferry Path; at 00:40; Herbert Street; at 00:48; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common, Jesus Green, Park Street (YouTube) Crossing a green space getting into the centre from the north. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Crossing from the Fort St George bridge, it's not far to Victoria Avenue. Crossing can be a bit busy. Remember to make sure you are not blocking the pavement parallel to the crossing. Victoria Avenue can be busy but if not, these are non-mandatory lights, so you can cross on red. The paths on Jesus Green can be a bit lumpy and cut up, and again, all along here, be careful of people walking, slowing if necessary. Look out for crossing people and try to time so you don't clash. Park Street after the barriers can be busy with people driving to and from the car park. | Starts on Midsummer Common; Jesus Green; at 00:07; Park Street; at 00:25; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common, Jesus Green, Park Street (2) (YouTube) A useful quiet link to the town centre from the river. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path. A green route into town. At the end, look out for cars especially exiting the car park on Park Street as people driving sometimes forget to look. | Starts on Midsummer Common; Jesus Green; at 00:37; Park Street; at 00:57; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common, Parsonage Street, James Street (YouTube) A quiet useful link in central Cambridge towards the Grafton centre. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Starting on Riverside, another useful cycle route, there's a grid access onto Midsummer Common which is not very well segregated from the walking access, which leads to some conflict, although not bad, between the two travel modes. Take great care, slow down and give way, even if it's just politeness. Midsummer Common will have people walking, so take great care and always give other people plenty of room. There's access to the north end of Parsonage Street which is quiet. Along the street there are plenty of parked cars, so remember to ride well outside the door zone. At the end, the main road is a 20 limit so should have reasonable traffic. Luckily, James Street is directly opposite. At the end of James Street, there is access either direction along the whole of the Grafton centre. | Starts on Midsummer Common; Parsonage Street; at 00:29; James Street; at 00:40; |
Friendly
Midsummer Common, Riverside, Stourbridge Common, Garlic Row (YouTube) This is a useful quiet link through the east side of town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a useful quiet link through the east side of town. Again, on the shared-use paths always be wary of people walking and look out for dogs off the lead. Note that the dog owners should always be in control but often forget this. At the gate/grid restrictions always slow down and let people through who are there first. Riverside is usually pretty quiet, but residential vehicles are always possible. Give way at the base of Priory Road (although that doesn't require you to stop). Often as it's quiet, there are people walking a fair way across the road. This makes it more pleasant than sharing with vehicles, but you do need to be aware of any sudden movements. At the cycle/walk bridge, the restrictions are there to stop cars coming through. However, you do see a car driving up along the pavement to avoid this (and incidentally honking at people walking. Not quite sure what they gained by doing it. Stourbridge Common can have cattle on it. They are usually very placid, so simply take care of them, don't go too close, and make positive moves around them. Garlic Row has the usual splattering of parked cars. Remember to avoid riding in the door zone. | Starts on Riverside; Stourbridge Common; at 01:03; Garlic Row; at 01:12; |
Friendly
Mill Lane, Coe Fen (YouTube) A good off-road route from town south. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path, cyclepath. Mill Lane can have some slow moving traffic on it, just be patient. Crossing the Coe Fen, take care of people walking. | Starts on Mill Lane; Coe Fen; at 00:14; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Cyclepath, Path, Shared-Use Path, People Walking, People Walking, Main Post
Mixed
Mill Road, Parkers Piece (YouTube) Mill Road is a nasty place to ride, Parkers piece lovely but crowded. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Mill Road is a nasty place to ride. I'd avoid it in favour of parallel quieter routes at all possible costs. There are a lot of parked or stopped vehicles. Those driving have to weave their way along these and often get impatient with the slow progress. It's usually a lot quicker to cycle this than drive it, if there weren't people driving along it blocking it at the same time! Filtering up to the Coleridge Road lights was a little cramped, and there was no chance on passing the bus, although also strongly recommended you don't do it. And I was stuck behind the bus all the way after that. At one point the bus was forced to stop and pull up as a van coming the other direction was trying to overtake someone else cycling. Given the roadspace, they can't have passed them by much more than a foot. So, to avoid one person trying to push their way about, a bus and queue of traffic was forced to stop whilst they performed an act of dangerous driving. That's what Mill Road is like. Eventually the bus pulls up at a stop and I get to pass. Always be careful about pulling out as you have to use the other lane. It was clear for me which I could see as I'd held back before pulling out. Filtering down to Parker's Piece was easy as a lot of traffic turns right up East Road. Again, do this carefully and always be prepared to stop just in case vehicles pull left without looking. There's a quick link onto Parker's Piece from Parkside and you're instantly in a much more pleasant environment. This is where you need to take care of people walking. And, to be frank, the place could do with two separate paths. I think people walking and riding would both want that! | Starts on Mill Road; Parkers Piece; at 01:06; |
Mixed
Mill Road, Tenison Road, Station Road, Station Place, Brookgate (YouTube) Mill Road is a nasty place to ride, but the link to the station is quieter. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Mill Road is a nasty place to ride. I'd avoid it in favour of parallel quieter routes at all possible costs. There are a lot of parked or stopped vehicles. Those driving have to weave their way along these and often get impatient with the slow progress. It's usually a lot quicker to cycle this than drive it, if there weren't people driving along it blocking it at the same time! This clip is started by an impatient cyclist racing to pull out, quite a rarity in my experience, but it does happen. Be aware of cars pulling out from the left, always take the road, they often can't see well. You should also be aware of people stepping off the pavement here as well. Turning off down Tenison Road is a welcome relief. Although this is a bit busier than the standard residential street as it's a cut through to the station. Again, look out for cars pulling out round the parked cars. The taxi that pulls out is a bit irritating, but then does a good thing by blocking the road as someone in a wheelchair has been caught in the road by the roadworks not offering adequate exit from crossing. At the station be aware that people in vehicles are not looking as much as they should be. Take things slowly and look for eyes. The bus stop section has some side lanes for people cycling. Since this only dumps you back into traffic after a few yards, I'd suggest not using them unless a bus is truly stuck. Trying to rush round is not likely to work. Then, turning up Brookgate gets you to Hills Road and all the routes from there on. However, to get to Brooklands Avenue, it's better to dismount and cross the road with walkers. Not really ideal. | Starts on Tenison Road; Station Road; at 00:48; Station Place; at 00:56; Brookgate; at 01:07; |
Friendly
Milton Road (from Arbury Road) (YouTube) This is a useful path, although it does stop just when it's needed most. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a useful path, although it does stop just when it's needed most. With these offroad cyclepaths the biggest danger is people driving out or into side accesses. Always keep a good eye out and have good lights at night. Hi-viz is useless as their headlights are not pointing at you and street lights don't help much. This is especially true at side roads. The lack of priority over the second side road is something of which to be especially aware. People driving along the main road are guided to maintain speed through the corner without consideration for vulnerable road users. After this turn, the pavement becomes shared-use and a lot narrower. It's not very obvious why this is the case, but take extra care of people walking. And finally, the off-road cyclepath ends by dumping you into a side road just before a very busy, dangerous junction. | Starts on Milton Road; |
Hostile
Milton Road (near Kings Hedges Road) (YouTube) A busy road through a busy junction with little to no protection for people cycling. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A busy road through a busy junction with little to no protection for people cycling. To go straight through the junction, you have to cross one lane and occupy the other. Take the primary here to stop anyone doing the remarkedly silly thing of trying to pass here. Pull back into the cyclelane after the junction. After this, I cross the road carefully to get to the onward cyclepath to Milton. The pedestrian crossing is usuable as well if this is too scary. | Starts on Milton Road; |
Mixed
Milton Road Cyclepath, Cowley Road, Jane Colston Bridge, Cambridge Road, Milton (YouTube) From the top end of Milton Road out to Milton itself along a variety of levels of quality shared-use path. Goes through areas North (Open KML), (Download KML); NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| From the top end of Milton Road out to Milton itself along a variety of levels of quality shared-use path. It's not the easiest path to get into, although there are pedestrian lights about 50 yards earlier and the right pavement (going out of town) is shared-use all the way from the Kings Hedges Road Traffic lights. Once on it, there's a dip underneath the old railway. I guess this is in case they extend the guided busway in which case it makes sense, well -ish. Anyway, it's a welcome refuge from the noisy Milton Road traffic. The shared-use path is painted up in a vague attempt to keep people walking and riding apart. Sadly this kind of infrastructure simply isn't understood very well. The bigger issue is crossing two busy side roads. As usual the crossing lights take quite a time, although they aren't mandatory cycle-only lights so can be crossed on red. After that there's a lot of prioritised side accesses of which to be wary. Again, remember hi-viz clothing does not appear any different to normal clothing if light isn't on it, so you won't show up well as you won't be in the car headlight beam from these exits. And note that a few streetlight designs don't show up hi-viz very well either. You are by far best by having decent lights after dark. The bridge of the A14 has quite a steep slope. You may find a few people pushing their bikes. Give them space as any other person walking. At the base of the bridge there's an awkward crossing. Take care to look for people driving in either direction, although it's not usual. The shared-use path is now much reduced in size and has only a few indications that it still exists. Take more care of other people walking and riding. Sadly, there's also a lot more side accesses of which to be wary. further along the path, there are laybys for parking which means you should be careful to ride outside the door zone. Likewise the parked car (which got there illegally) just on the pavement. This does show a cow-towing to the car culture. It's not illegal to park on the road, yet the person driving somehow thinks they have to ride up on the pavement. Towards the end, this path is very narrow and really quite unsuitable to be shared-use. But at least it's a bit more pleasant than the road space. | Starts on Milton Road; Cowley Road; at 00:19; Jane Colston Bridge; at 00:43; Cambridge Road, Milton; at 00:55; |
Friendly
Milton Road, North Guided Busway (YouTube) A quiet link through north east Cambridge. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path | Starts on Milton Road; North Guided Busway; at 00:24; |
Hostile
Mount Pleasant (YouTube) Link going north towards Huntingdon Road. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Getting into the right turn lane can be a bit awkward, avoiding drivers going straight on. If you're not entirely comfortable, using the crossing ahead of the lights maybe better. After the turn, the lane is quite narrow with oncoming traffic, so it's worth taking the primary. Remember to see what and who is behind you and trying to let them through when you can. Again, danger is better ahead of you not behind you. Around the corner and there's the parked car problem again. Remember to ride out of the door zone, which may mean you have to go into the primary position again, especially by the end of them. A wide turn at the end will allow some drivers past. Note that I catch the driver at the beginning of the clip by the end at the top of the road. | Starts on St Margarets Road; Mount Pleasant; at 00:06; |
Hostile
Mowbray Road, Fendon Road, Addenbrookes Roundabout Cyclepath (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace here with access to the shared-use path into the hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The cyclelane has all the usual hallmarks of these kind, full with road debris, puddles, paintwork, and litter. You'll also notice that cars routinely don't adhere to Highway Code rule 163, to give me enough space when passing. Note that I take the primary position passing the car pulling in from the side road and past the verge parked car. At the roundabout at the end of Mowbray Road, the cyclelane disappears, right at the most dangerous place for cyclists. Essentially, it's a cheap bit of cycle infrastructure done badly enough to make it more dangerous to cycle. After the roundabout the cyclelane appears again. Fendon Road is much the same, although one or two more parked cars of which to be wary. It's always worth checking whether these cars might suddenly move, even if they are further away. At the Addenbrookes roundabout I use the off-road cyclepath. It avoids lights on the roundabout (a bit), but does take you further up Robinson Way than you may want. | Starts on Mowbray Road; Fendon Road; at 00:34; Addenbrookes Roundabout Cyclepath; at 00:53; |
Friendly
Natal Road, Marmora Road (YouTube) A quiet useful link towards central Cambridge avoiding Mill Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, secondary, shared-use path, cyclepath. A quiet route parallel to Mill Road leading to the Carter Railway Bridge. There are a lot of useful little links not for motor vehicles so this gets you away from them. | Starts on Perne Road; Natal Road; at 00:17; Montreal Road; at 00:24; Montreal Road Path; at 00:29; Marmora Road; at 00:37; Marmora Road Path; at 00:51; Coleridge Road; at 00:57; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Secondary Position, Cyclepath, Path, Shared-Use Path, People Walking, Main Post
Reasonable
New Street (East) (YouTube) This is a quick quiet link road from opposite the Grafton Centre entrance towards routes east and south avoiding Newmarket and East Roads. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quick quiet link road from opposite the Grafton Centre entrance towards routes east and south avoiding Newmarket and East Roads. Remember to ride out of the door zone when passing parked cars, which may mean you have to go into the primary position. | Starts on New Street; |
Reasonable
New Street (West) (YouTube) This is a quick quiet link road from routes from the east and south to the Grafton Centre entrance avoiding Newmarket and East Roads. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quick quiet link road from routes from the east and south to the Grafton Centre entrance avoiding Newmarket and East Roads. Remember to ride out of the door zone when passing parked cars, which may mean you have to go into the primary position. | Starts on New Street; |
Mixed
New Street, Occupation Road, under Newmarket Road Roundabout, Maids Causeway (YouTube) This is a quiet route avoiding the west end of Newmarket Road heading into town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quiet route avoiding the west end of Newmarket Road heading into town. Starting on Coldhams Lane just north of the retail park entrances, it goes parallel to Newmarket Road. There's a very useful contraflow entrance into the main part of New Street. There are a lot of parked cars here, so remember to avoid riding in the door zone. You may also find oncoming traffic not taking this into consideration or may not realise this road isn't one-way, so be prepared to stop. At the second mini-roundabout, turn right towards the Newmarket Road roundabout. The road goes round to the left to the top of the ramp down to the underpass. The underpass is much quieter than the above roadspace, but it is a maze and takes much longer to navigate. Go slow, especially at the blind corners taking care of other people walking and riding. Note that to go straight on, you need to turn to the nearest exit to the left when in these circumstances. It's because you are only going under one road, not two. Before the exit, drop gears for upslope out. Go back into Maids Causeway carefully. My entrance was a little silly, although I'd argue you want a bigger and protected ramp in my defence. Maids Causeway is not particularly pleasant either. There's too many parked cars and pinch points which, despite the 20 speed limit still gives people driving difficulty in working out how to pass safely. Although there's less traffic, there's still buses. Again, I should have occupied the primary position to stop that awful pass. You'll note that it did the people on the bus no real benefit to pass. | Starts on New Street; Occupation Road; at 00:15; Newmarket Road Roundabout; at 00:24; Maids Causeway; at 00:46; |
Reasonable
Newmarket Retail Park (East) (YouTube) A short cut through the retail park avoiding Newmarket Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Accessed using the crossing next to the Coldhams Lane railway bridge. This avoids the unpleasant road space at the roundabout, although does make it a bit slower. Once on the shared-use path, take it slowly around the corner, mostly for pedestrians but also to spot a quick way out onto the retail park road. Remember that cars here are looking for parking spaces and can be less attentive to others around them. Take extra care and be prepared to stop quickly. Different from the other direction, this is also a good place to avoid using the cyclelanes at the side of the road. You are much better seen (if ignored by the white Acre van and car after roundabout) if you are further out. This route is quicker and nicer that going onto Newmarket Road. | Starts on Newmarket Road Retail Park; |
Hostile
Newmarket Road (YouTube) This shows the roadspace getting more hostile as heading in from the east. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This starts very well with a nice wide shared-use path. It's also likely to have few pedestrians in it who are also likely to be a bit more wary of their environment. Sadly, I turn off it as it drops under trees and onto a fantastically uneven surface more in tune with hard offroad riding. After a short section of substandard narrow cyclelane, a bus lane appears. Laybys where people have parked cars have space, although be aware of them and always stay clear of the door zone. Then the narrow cyclelane reappears. This is car central. And it's why the roadspace has been taken away from buslanes, so to allow turning cars in the middle of the road. The shared-use path is still there, but completely dominated by prioritized side accesses. As the houses appear, more verge parked cars can be added to this. Thankfully the buslane reappears. Just before the Ditton Lane lights, I give up and use the shared-use path. This gets me through some of the congestion here, but quickly requires me back in the road for the roundabout. Motors usually move quickly through the roundabout so I'm not sure filtering will help here and could be dangerous with bigger vehicles. | Starts on Newmarket Road; |
Friendly
Newmarket Road and Newmarket Road Park and Ride (YouTube) A good offroad link north of Newmarket Rod. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path, cyclepath. Take great car in the Park and Ride. People can be walking in the cycle section and people driving sometimes don't look for people riding. Also there's limited visibility. | Starts on Newmarket Road; Newmarket Road Park and Ride; at 00:26; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Cyclepath, Path, Shared-Use Path, People Walking, People Walking, Main Post
Mixed
Newmarket Road and Retail Park (YouTube) A slightly unpleasant roadspace going into a more pleasant link. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A slightly unpleasant roadspace going into a more pleasant link. Newmarket Road has onroad cyclelanes. They suffer from the usual issues of potholes, road debris, litter swept into it by passing traffic. The speed camera is an indicator that motor traffic has driven too fast along here as well. With crossing bus stops and side roads this makes this quite unpleasant. It gets more unpleasant after the railway bridge as the lane narrows considerably suggesting to bus drivers that they can come with a couple of feet when passing (ignoring the highway code rule 163). I'd suggest taking the primary position to stop this, unlike my actions. Note passing didn't help the progress of the bus. Turning into the retail park means getting into a nicer environment. At the junctions to the retail park, be aware of cars turning left without indicating. I take the turn but keeping back from the turning car (who did thankfully signal). Remember that cars here are looking for parking spaces and can be less attentive to others around them. Take extra care and be prepared to stop quickly. Different from the other direction, after a while this is a good place to use the cyclelanes at the side of the road. There's lots of space between the road and parked cars. This route is quicker and nicer that going along Newmarket Road. | Starts on Newmarket Road; Newmarket Road Retail Park; at 00:44; |
Mixed
Newmarket Road cut through to Beehive (YouTube) Starting in the slightly unpleasant environment of Newmarket Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Starting in the slightly unpleasant environment of Newmarket Road. I still get a close pass by the Panther Taxi despite the other lane available, ignoring Highway Code rule 163 (notice I caught up with them by the second lights). At the junctions to the retail park, be aware of cars turning left without indicating. I take the turn but keeping back from the turning car (who did thankfully signal). Remember that cars here are looking for parking spaces and can be less attentive to others around them. Take extra care and be prepared to stop quickly. Different from the other direction, after a while this is a good place to use the cyclelanes at the side of the road. There's lots of space between the road and parked cars. This route is quicker and nicer that going along Newmarket Road. | Starts on Newmarket Road; Newmarket Road Retail Park; at 00:23; |
Friendly
Newmarket Road Park and Ride to Fen Ditton (YouTube) A great green route into Cambridge. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path, cyclepath. Take great car in the Park and Ride. People can be walking in the cycle section and people driving sometimes don't look for people riding. Also there's limited visibility. At the end, look out for parked cars. | Starts on Newmarket Road Park and Ride; Newmarket Park and Ride Cyclepath; at 00:26; Tiptree Close; at 00:50; Thorp Way; at 00:55; Fison Road; at 01:03; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Cyclepath, Path, Shared-Use Path, People Walking, People Walking, Main Post
Friendly
Newmarket Road Path, Abbey Road, Riverside (YouTube) A quiet link from Newmarket road to and along the river. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. Take care along the shared-use pavement after the crossing as it's narrow and includes a bus stop. After that look out for parked cars in the residential streets. | Starts on Newmarket Road Path; Abbey Road; at 00:13; Riverside; at 00:24; |
Friendly
Newmarket Road, Airport Way, Church Road, Teversham (YouTube) A good out of town shared-use path and continuing through the quiet village of Teversham. Goes through areas East (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A good out of town shared-use path and continuing through the quiet village of Teversham. The path from the Newmarket Road Park and Ride is shared-use. This has few people walking along it so can be quite quick, although always be prepared to slow down should they appear. Take care at the side accesses as well. They are unsighted so people driving are likely to pull out completely before they look for you. Approaching Airport Way roundabout and there is a right turn through the trees towards Teversham with the route straight on going to Stow-cum-Quy. At the roundabout take care to stop for motor traffic. I'm lucky to get across quickly. I think this is a classic roundabout where the priorities should change. Raising the crossing and giving people cycling the right of way would help remind people driving to slow as they approach the city as well as promoting healthy transport choices. And it'd make hardly any difference to anyone's journey times, just get the right focus. Airport Way is a similar wide and quick shared-use path. There can be one or two parked cars watching the airport. Remember to ride outside the door zone. Turning into Teversham can be done in two ways. There's a pinch point crossing (which I pass) that will take you to the other side of the road. I find it a bit too slow to use but it is safe. And again, there's no priority. I tend to look for gaps in the traffic in the next few tarmaced accesses to the road and pick one when there's a space. In this case I end up at the very end of my opportunities. The shared-use path on the left side of the road ends at the pedestrian crossing, so all people cycling should join the road here. The village is quiet but odes have parked cars near the road. Again, stay out of the door zone. Note that one parked car is right next to a reduced traffic bump. I wonder if they realise their parking limits ambulances trying to get through here. | Starts on Newmarket Road; Airport Way; at 00:28; Church Road, Teversham; at 00:46; |
Hostile
Newmarket Road, East Road Roundabout (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace as heading in from the east. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Although people driving cars are not in my lane to begin with, notice the state of the cyclelane. Not worth using and I'm constantly thinking about buses shooting up behind me. Then notice the way people driving can pull into the main roadspace, quite happy to sit blocking the bus lane. And parked vehicles on the pavement, make sure you ride outside the door zone, which is bigger for lorries. At the second lights, cars do drift into your lane without signalling or looking. Be aware this could happen and constantly plan an exit route. And it may not happen right away as people can change their minds from going straight on at any time. After the Coldhams Lane lights a narrow cyclelane eventually appears. This has its uses in stationary traffic, although is less helpful when it's moving. As I'm turning right, I look and move in behind a van at the right time. Alternatively, you can go underneath the roundabout. This is nicely away from motor traffic but is a pain of ramps going the wrong way, tight blind corners, and difficulty working out where to go when down there. I stick to my lane all the way round and stop at the lights just before exiting (unlike the car inside me). | Starts on Newmarket Road; Newmarket Road Roundabout; at 00:56; |
Mixed
Newmarket Road, Swanns Road Cut, Garlic Row, Stourbridge Common, Fen Road (YouTube) A useful link in the east of town crossing the river. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Accessed either coming along the shared-use path on this side of the road or crossing the road at the Leper Chapel. This route is a quick way down to Stourbridge Common and all quiet routes from there. Take care of pedestrians over the bridge and as you turn down Swanns Road, especially for people driving into the road. The industrial estate is reasonably quiet although there are plenty of parked cars, so avoid riding in the door zone. At the end of the road, do take the lane for the right turn, there's no space for passing here. Getting onto Stourbridge Common is over a narrow cattle grid. Again, take care of people walking and cycling. Crossing the common on a wide shared-use path is easy and pleasant but ensure you slow down for the Green Dragon bridge. Again it's narrow here and you must take care of people walking. Do note that the "Cyclists Dismount" sign is advisory only, there's no need to do so other that taking care of people walking. Take care exiting the bridge as it has limited sight lines and there are people walking, driving, and cycling. There's a useful link on Fen Road at the end. Again, take special care here as people driving tend to be a bit quick. | Starts on Swanns Road Cut; Mercers Row; at 00:10; Garlic Row; at 00:16; Stourbridge Common; at 00:21; Green Dragon Bridge; at 00:30; Water Street; at 00:37; |
Reasonable
Newnham Road, Coe Fen, Fen Causeway (YouTube) A quiet link through west Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This part of Newnham Road isn't the nicest of road spaces when there's lots of traffic, but is okay in this clip. Cutting through on the Coe Fen takes off a short amount of space and gets you away form the nastier road space. The street and entrance to the Coe Fen are cycling access, despite the restaurant taking up space on it. The Coe Fen has lots of people walking on it, so take care of them and be wary of odd movements. The pavements on either side of Fen Causeway are both shared-use paths. This gives a slightly more pleasant journey than being in the road space, although be careful of people walking and give them plenty of space and sound indicators if you are coming from behind them. I stop at the crossing, although the shared-use continues up to the junction. | Starts on Newnham Road; Coe Fen; at 00:11; Fen Causeway; at 00:31; |
Mixed
Newnham Road, Coe Fen, Mill Lane (YouTube) A quiet link into town from Newnham. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The shared-use path on Barton Road also goes round the corner onto Newnham Road. So if stopping at the mandatory lights (if their red) can be avoided by continuing to the left. I join the roadspace quite quickly as it's about the best place to get out. The shared-use path continues to the roundabout. The roadspace is narrow here, so it's worth taking the lane with oncoming traffic. I try to let traffic through at the roundabout as there's space, although it was pretty pointless in this case. I bunny hop down the outside of the stopped traffic. This must be done carefully aware that traffic may start and that people driving the other direction may not be looking. Luckily, as the traffic is staggered there are plenty of safe havens back in on my side of the road along here. Eventually I get to the bit where I wait to cross the road. This also is not easy. Perhaps it's better to dismount and use the pedestrian crossing. Eventually a space appears. The street and entrance to the Coe Fen are cycling access, despite the restaurant taking up space on it. The Coe Fen has lots of people walking on it, so take care of them and be wary of odd movements. The cobbles at the end can be slippy, take great care turning onto them. | Starts on Newnham Road; Coe Fen; at 00:32; Mill Lane; at 00:55; |
Friendly
Newnham to Grantchester across Meadows (YouTube) The quiet (but permissive only) link out of town to the south-west. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML); WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Using the pavement to cut the corner and avoid completely unnecessary waiting at lights designed for motor vehicles. Ensure you take care of people walking. If you feel uncomfortable, do get off and push. The residential roads are very quiet, although people driving sometimes don't understand why you don't want to be right next to the parked cars in the door zone. At the dead end sign, a lot more people are likely to be walking in the road. Give way to them and take care of odd movements. The path is a permissive path only. That means there's no right to cycle (as a bridleway) and it could be retracted by the landowner at any stage. Always take great care of people walking. Look at their eyes to see if they have seen you. Be polite if they get out of your way. Granchester Meadows are often busy, especially in summer where it's a great place to come. Look out for cowpats. Just before coming into Granchester, there's a right turn in up to nearer the centre and the back of the local pubs. Be careful exiting onto the road as it's quite a sharp downhill with a blind corner. | Starts on Grantchester Street; Eltisley Avenue; at 00:08; Grantchester Meadows; at 00:17; Grantchester Meadows Path; at 00:27; |
Reasonable
Nightingale Avenue (YouTube) A reasonable route but sometimes has rat running in reduced space. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. This is usually not very busy, although people can drive at speed here as often rat running this corner of town. I usually take the primary as much as possible here, pulling into secondary when I hear or see people driving slowing down. This is desparately in need of a 20mph limit. | Starts on Nightingale Avenue; |
Friendly
Norfolk Street, Gwydir Street (YouTube) A useful link from the Grafton centre through Petersfield. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The crossing on East Road from the Grafton Centre has a useful cycle lane taking you to Norfolk Street. The residential streets are quiet, although again avoid riding in the door zone. Turning right at the end onto Gwydir Street takes you all the way to Mill Road along yet more quiet streets. | Starts on Norfolk Street; Gwydir Street; at 00:17; |
Reasonable
Norman Way (YouTube) A reasonable link to The Tins from Coldhams Lane. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, shared-use path. The route to The Tins from the back of Cherry Hinton. Despite doing a reasonable speed expect MGIF passes. The right side pavement is meant to be shared-use but with it's turns and lack of priority at side accesses it's pretty much useless. | Starts on Coldhams Lane; Norman Way; at 00:10; |
Reasonable
Norman Way, The Tins (YouTube) A reasonable route from Cherry Hinton to Brookfields. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, shared-use path. The route to The Tins from the back of Cherry Hinton. Despite doing a reasonable speed expect MGIF passes. The right side pavement is meant to be shared-use but with it's turns and lack of priority at side accesses it's pretty much useless. The Tins is a great route, but take great car at through the unsighted bridge turns and of people walking all the way along. | Starts on Norman Way; The Tins; at 00:15; Burnside; at 00:39; |
Friendly
North Grafton Shopping Centre Access, New Square (YouTube) This is a useful and hardly known access along the north side of the Grafton Centre, if a bit slow. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a useful and hardly known access along the north side of the Grafton Centre, if a bit slow. Use the car park entrance and then skirt into the exit lane. This is completely fine, if you read the small print on the sign, and you'll spot the cycle access in a second or so. Cutting through to the back accesses will leave you jumping around parked cars and people walking so it's advisable to go slowly. Notice all the painted roadway, but few signs, its one reason this isn't easy to find. Towards the end of the accesses, a parked flatbed van almost blocks the route. I suspect this may happen quite a bit as people tend to miss cycle access. Then coming round to the front of the Grafton Centre, and down to Emmanuel Street very quickly. | Starts on Wellington Street; Napier Street; at 00:14; James Street; at 00:28; Fitzroy Lane; at 00:36; Fair Street; at 00:47; New Square; at 00:51; |
More links: People Walking, Main Post
Friendly
North Grafton Shopping Centre Access, New Square (East) (YouTube) Access along the north side of the Grafton centre. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. A useful route along the north side of the Grafton Centre. Take care of people walking and people driving may be looking out for parking spaces and not other people. At the end, take care of people driving out of the main car park, they may not realise people can cycle both ways on it's exit ramp. | Starts on New Square; Fair Street; at 00:07; Fitzroy Lane; at 00:12; James Street; at 00:22; Napier Street; at 00:40; Wellington Street; at 00:48; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway Histon to Oakington (YouTube) A quiet route along the guided busway. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. A great, smooth surface to ride. Take great care at road crossings and look out for having to cross the guided busway at times. | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway Lonstanton to Swavesey (YouTube) A quiet route along the guided busway. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. A great, smooth surface to ride. Take great care at road crossings and look out for having to cross the guided busway at times. | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway Oakington past Lonstanton (YouTube) A quiet route along the guided busway. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. A great, smooth surface to ride. Take great care at road crossings and look out for having to cross the guided busway at times. | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway past Histon (YouTube) A quiet link passing the south west side of Histon. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A really good, smooth route away from traffic. Look out for the cycle route crossing the Guided Busway, often catches me out! | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway Swavesey to Lonstanton (YouTube) A quiet route along the guided busway. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path, cyclepath. A great, smooth surface to ride. Take great care at road crossings and look out for having to cross the guided busway at times. Note the fabulous solar lights! | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Friendly
North Guided Busway to Histon (YouTube) A quiet link through north Cambridge. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A really good, smooth route away from traffic. Look out for the cycle route crossing the Guided Busway, often catches me out! | Starts on North Guided Busway; |
Reasonable
Northfields Avenue, Campkin Road (YouTube) A reasonable link through north Cambridge. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a main route into town from the north side, but it has little cycle infrastructure. The road was designed in a time when separation of people and traffic seemed like a good idea. And it is a good idea, but it has to be done much better than this. Things like clear signage any more pleasant routes, the odd guiding and protected egresses. I think there are better routes through here but there's no way to know. And even staring down the odd pavement is not inviting as it all seems to disappear into a maze of housing. Northfields Avenue isn't that busy with people driving, but there are plenty of small roundabouts and parked cars to negotiate. Remember to ride outside the door zone, and use the primary position through street infrastructure when it narrows or confuses. Turning right into Campkin Road doesn't change much. At the end it's a left turn into the unpleasant Arbury Road and the east of town or a right wiggle towards Alex Wood Road and onto the centre. | Starts on Northfields Avenue; Campkin Road; at 00:38; |
Reasonable
Pampisford Road (YouTube) A usually quiet route to Abington. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. Usually quiet but be aware that some drivers will speed along here not expecting slower road users. | Starts on Pampisford Road, Great Abington; |
Reasonable
Pampisford Road (West) (YouTube) A usually quiet route from Abington. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See primary, secondary. A quick and usually quiet route. Look out for people driving around the traffic calming at the beginning. | Starts on Pampisford Road, Great Abington; |
Mixed
Panton Street, Tennis Court Road (North) (YouTube) This is a useful mostly quiet link through the south side of town. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a useful quiet link through the south side of town. Panton Street starts off being two way, then changes as it narrows. Again, it's worth taking the primary position even down into the correct lane at the Lensfield Road junction. Lensfield Road can be a bit busy and needs some careful manoeuvring to get into Tennis Court Road. Use the pedestrian crossing to the right if this looks too dangerous, although that will add to this journey. Tennis Court Road is a bit of a pain. It's usually okay but can have vehicles trying to overtake too close, vehicles parked up illegally pushing traffic into the contraflow cyclelane, and sadly most drivers speed down here (according to police statistics, it was 55% in 2011). I move into the primary position after I get a bad pass from a taxi. And a fairly pointless pass as they turned off only a few yards later. After that turn, Tennis Court Road turns into two-way. Be wary of turning at the end of this road, remembering people can cycle both ways down Downing Street. | Starts on Panton Street; Tennis Court Road; at 00:16; |
Reasonable
Park Lane, High Street, Histon (YouTube) A reasonable route coming into Histon from the west. Goes through areas North (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path, primary. Once the shared-use path stops, some clear signs of issues with people driving too close. | Starts on Park Lane, Histon; High Street, Histon; at 00:47; |
Friendly
Park Parade to Kings Parade (YouTube) Access through the town centre going south west avoiding Jesus Lane lights. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. This is an alternative to messing aroudn Park Street car park and the Jesus Lane traffic lights. Take care around St Johns Road as people driving have limited visibility and priority is not straightforward. Look out for people in the town centre and then parked and moving cars in Kings Parade. | Starts on Park Street; Park Parade; at 00:04; St Johns Road; at 00:10; Thompsons Lane; at 00:15; Bridge Street; at 00:25; St Johns Street; at 00:30; Trinity Street; at 00:39; Kings Parade; at 00:47; |
Friendly
Park Street, Jesus Green, Jesus Lock, Carlyle Road, Fisher Street, Searle Road, St Lukes Street (YouTube) A quiet route from the centre to the north of the city. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A quiet route from the centre to the north of the city. Park Street can be a little busy with vehicles in and out of the car park. Remember the people driving may not be looking for people cycling from strange directions. Jesus Green needs careful notice of people walking. Don't assume they will walk along in a straight line. Likewise dogs do change direction at the drop of a hat, despite the owners being required to be in control at all times (on and off lead). Ensure you give wide berths to them both and be prepared to slow down. Over Jesus Lock you must go dead slow. If you want do get off, although please note that the blue "Cyclists Dismount" sign is advisory only, it's not a requirement. Needless to say, the space here is very limited requiring good handling skills if you stay riding. The pedestrian crossing helps crossing Chesterton Road, mostly as it can slow traffic for people walking across. Carlyle Road is nicely quiet, well away from traffic. Be aware that people may step off the pavement without looking, so ride well out, and especially out of the door zone past parked cars. The cycleroute has a kink in it round Fisher Street into Searle Street and at the end turns right into Fisher Street to take you up towards Arbury. Instead of this last turn, continuing up Searle Street will get you onto slightly more northerly routes. | Starts on Park Street; Jesus Green; at 00:11; Jesus Lock; at 00:23; Carlyle Road; at 00:45; Fisher Street; at 00:56; Searle Road; at 00:57; St Lukes Street; at 01:06; |
Reasonable
Park Street, Jesus Lane, Bridge Street, St Johns Street, Trinity Street, Kings Parade (YouTube) Access through the town centre going south west. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. Take care passing Park Street car park as some people driving forget to look as they pull out. In the town centre alwasy take care of people walking, their attention might not be on you. Once onto Kings Parade, look out for parked cars and people driving in and out of the street, including from the last left side road. | Starts on Park Street; Jesus Lane; at 00:15; Bridge Street; at 00:21; St Johns Street; at 00:25; Trinity Street; at 00:35; Kings Parade; at 00:44; |
Friendly
Park Terrace, Clarendon Street, New Square, Fair Street, Midsummer Common (YouTube) This is a quiet route from the south of the centre towards the east. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quiet route from the south of the centre towards the east. Park Terrace is one-way and takes any private vehicles off Regent Street. It's usually quiet and has space for passing at the beginning but rapidly narrows. Taking the lane at the right point is advisable. Crossing into Clarendon Street is again quiet and easy. There are more parked cars and avoiding the door zone is important. Most cars are looking for parking spaces, so can be slow and block the way. Be patient and don't try to pass as the people driving are quite likely to not have seen you. At the bottom of the Grafton Centre there are lots of people walking across the route, take care to filter through without getting close to them. The crossing over Maids Causeway is not mandatory (isn't a road traffic style 3 lamps), so you can go on the red light phase. Midsummer Common is also quiet and full of people walking. Again leave plenty of space. | Starts on Park Terrace; Clarendon Street; at 00:13; New Square; at 00:25; Fair Street; at 00:30; Midsummer Common; at 00:36; |
Friendly
Parkers Piece (South) (YouTube) The shared-use path from Clarendon Road towards Hills Road. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The shared-use path alongside Parkside starts by crossing the Clarendon Road junction awkwardly. It is possible to get into this path at other times, but it may be best to hang behind other traffic if trying to do it at the junction. All across Parker's Piece there are likely to be people walking. Give them plenty of room, especially at the Checkpoint Reality lampost. At the end of the path, take care of people walking and riding on the crossing path. Also, take great care getting out onto Gonville Place, it's a very busy road. If you feel more comfortable, walk the bike down to the crossing at the Hills Road junction. | Starts on Parkers Piece; |
Friendly
Parkers Piece, Parkside, Clarendon Street, New Square, Fair Street (YouTube) A quiet link form the south towards the Grafton centre. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The lights across Gonville Place are cycle-only so you must stop if they are red. You could get off and push your bike across legally, but often here it's not going to be sensible as there's a lot of traffic. On Parkers Piece take care of other people walking and riding from all kinds of directions. At the end of Parkers Piece, there's a useful exit onto the road usually protected by a parked car. This makes it reasonably easy to get to the ASL to enable the right turn into Clarendon Street. Clarendon Street has a lot of parked cars, so avoid the door zone. At the end of the Grafton centre take care to avoid people walking across your route. The crossing over Maids Causeway is not mandatory (isn't a road traffic style 3 lamps), so you can go on the red light phase. | Starts on Parkers Piece; Parkside; at 00:25; Clarendon Street; at 00:30; New Square; at 00:41; Fair Street; at 00:45; |
Hostile
Pembroke Street, Downing Street, St Andrews Street, Emmanuel Street, Parker Street, Emmanuel Road (YouTube) A fairly hostile road environment through the centre of town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, cyclelane. This is not a pleasant route, but it is a quick way through town. Look out for people driving to the car park in turning left out of Downing Street. Look out for walkers and buses after that. The turn into the Emmanuel Place cyclelane is quite awkward from this direction. And finally look out for the use of the rising bollards in Emmanuel Street. | Starts on Pembroke Street; Downing Street; at 00:08; St Andrews Street; at 00:16; Emmanuel Street; at 00:20; Parker Street; at 00:27; Emmanuel Road; at 00:30; |
Hostile
Perne Road (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Notice the way the paint on the cyclelane is faded. This is caused by people driving over the cyclelane. Take note and take care as you enter this section. The cyclelane has the usual problems of these wider roads. It's full of road debris, puddles, litter, and is likely to make people driving think of you as in a separate lane without taking into consideration the requirements to pass over a car's width away. Then there's parked lorries in it. Clearly delivering into the local pub/restaurant where, infuriatingly, there's loads of parking space. You should look carefully, plan your cyclelane exit and move well clear of the parked vehicle. Pulling in right behind another vehicle gives as much time before the next one on the road (which should be at least 50m back), but be aware that the vehicle may make another manoeuvre. Remember to ride well outside the door zone. Pull back in when you can, but be aware that people past the lorry may not know you are going to do that, so don't assume space after the lorry is clear. At the roundabout, notice how completely useless the cyclelanes are. Again worn down by people driving over them which gives an indicator to not use them when cars are nearby. Parked cars on the verge need to checked and avoid the door zone again. | Starts on Perne Road; |
Reasonable
Perne Road, Lichfield Path, Lichfield Road (YouTube) A short link to get you away from Perne Road. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A short link to get you away from Perne Road. Just before the large pub on Perne Road whilst going south there's as shared-use path into the local residential roads. The path is narrow and has a poorly sighted turn, so take great care of people walking. At the end of the path, turn left to get down to Cherry Hinton Road in as short as distance as possible. The pavement on this part of the side of Cherry Hinton Road is shared-use so it can be used to get to onward quiet routes like Hinton Avenue to the right. | Starts on Perne Road; Lichfield Path; at 00:06; Lichfield Road; at 00:15; |
Reasonable
Porson Street, Rutherford Road (East) (YouTube) This is a quiet link around the Long Road Trumpington Road corner. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quiet link around the Long Road Trumpington Road corner. It's vaguely useful, but certainly is a bit quieter than the other large roads. Getting onto it from Trumpington Road is easy, although be aware of people driving and cycling from the oncoming direction. Once on the road, note that the parked cars do limit the space. Take the primary position if you feel there isn't enough space for a car to pas you. At the end of the road after turning right, there's a little roundabout with the shared-use path behind it. Take care as you exit onto the other roundabout, although it's very quiet. Finally, remember to avoid the door zone and exit onto Long Road carefully and done safely by using the shared-use path here. | Starts on Porson Street; Rutherford Road; at 00:27; |
Reasonable
Porson Street, Rutherford Road (West) (YouTube) This is a quiet link around the Long Road Trumpington Road corner. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a quiet link around the Long Road Trumpington Road corner. It's vaguely useful, but certainly is a bit quieter than the other large roads. This direction is probably less useful as it requires crossing both major roads. Getting onto it from Long Road requires crossing the road. An exit from the shared-use path is right next to it, but be very careful of people driving along the road, they can be going faster than they should. Once on Rutherford Road , note that the parked cars do limit the space. Take the primary position if you feel there isn't enough space for a car to pass you. At the end of the road, there's a little roundabout (so go the right way round!) with the shared-use path behind it. Take care as you exit onto the other roundabout, although it's very quiet, and turn left up the first road remembering to avoid the door zone. To exit onto Long Road either mix with traffic, or use the crossing just to the right of the road. | Starts on Rutherford Road; |
Friendly
Port Way to Caldecote (YouTube) A rough route between two villages. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A fairly rough track that does get you between two villages without using roads. Passable for most of the year. There is a slightly quicker route into the centre of Caldecote with is right at about 1m30s. | Starts on Port Way, Hardwick; |
Friendly
Port Way to Hardwick (YouTube) A rough route between two villages. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, shared-use path. A fairly rough track that does get you some of the way between two villages without using roads. Passable for most of the year. The initial section just after the road is permissive and was built by a local farmer after the death of a horse struck by a car on the parallel road. | Starts on Port Way, Hardwick; |
Hostile
Queen Ediths Way (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| At the beginning the left pavement is a shared-use path. This is useful getting away from the lights, however, it rapidly has too many side accesses and is too narrow to share with pedestrians. Another example of why the shared-use path exists as the 4x4 passes too close and too fast. I move to primary to stop it happening again whilst there's oncoming traffic. I move back to secondary when it's gone and another car passes me, gaining pretty much nothing by the next roundabout. The second path of the road is thankfully not very busy. Passing the side road with the bus emerging I move into the primary position although the bus driver proves they are looking by holding back (much appreciated but never assumed!). This road has the usual issues of verge parked cars. Remember to avoid riding in the door zone. The ASL at the end is vaguely useful, although be aware drivers will race to get to the pinch point at the other side first. Mainly because the road really narrows a lot after that. If it's only one car, perhaps let them go. | Starts on Queen Ediths Way; |
Reasonable
Queen Ediths Way Cyclepath (East) (YouTube) A reasonable off-road route, not really good enough though. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. A way of avoiding the hostile road space. Always take care of the side accesses and side roads as some are unsighted. Look out for verge parked cars. | Starts on Queen Ediths Way; |
Reasonable
Queen Ediths Way Cyclepath (Northside) (YouTube) A reasonable off-road route, not really good enough though. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. This is an alternative to using the hostile road space. However, with lots of side accesses and a lack of priority of side streets it's very poor. Take great care around the side accesses as they are often unsighted. Also take care of verge parking limiting sightlines and space. | Starts on Queen Ediths Way; |
Reasonable
Queen Ediths Way Cyclepath (Southside) (YouTube) A reasonable off-road route, not really good enough though. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. This is an alternative to using the hostile road space. However, with lots of side accesses and a lack of priority of side streets it's very poor. Take great care around the side accesses as they are often unsighted. I looked very carefully when passing the lorry. Also take care of verge parking limiting sightlines and space. | Starts on Queen Ediths Way; |
Hostile
Queen Ediths Way, Lime Kiln Road, Cherry Hinton Road, Hinton (YouTube) This shows the hostile roadspace here. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML); SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Turning up Queen Edith's Way from Cherry Hinton Road can be quite awkward. People do drive through amber and red lights here giving no time to anyone turning right. It's pretty narrow here which makes me want to avoid the roadspace very quickly. The path cuts the corner to the hill climb. Eventually there is no path and the road is very narrow. There's not a lot anyone can do here, there's just no space. Take the primary but try to pull over as soon as there's no oncoming traffic. This is worth doing over the whole hill. Even on the downside, people will try to drive past when there is no space. And even after the hill, as noted on several occasions on this clip. | Starts on Queen Ediths Way; Lime Kiln Road; at 00:08; Cherry Hinton Road, Magogs; at 01:16; |
Friendly
Queens Green, Silver Street (YouTube) On the Backs away from traffic into town. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| The legal position of cycling across Queens Green is unknown, however, it's well used and quiet and worth avoiding Queens Road which is narrow, congested, and busy. Remember to give people walking plenty of space and be prepared to slow down. Coming out onto Silver Street, although quiet, should be probably checked. Taxis and buses do come down here, although they should be slow after the rising bollards. Silver Street is often full of people walking both on and off the road. Again, give them plenty of space. | Starts on Queens Green; Silver Street; at 00:15; |
More links: People Walking, Main Post
Hostile
Queens Road (The Backs) (YouTube) This is quite unpleasant, narrow and hostile roadspace. Goes through areas WestCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is quite unpleasant. The roadspace is very narrow, there's usually lots of stationary traffic and lots of cars being impatient behind. Remember to take the primary position if you don't want close passes, including at pinch points. Also, notice all the side accesses. Check driver's head and eyes to see if they've seen you. | Starts on Queens Road; |
More links: Primary Position, Main Post
Friendly
Radegund Road, Gisborne Path, Gisborne Road, Langham Road (YouTube) A vaguely useful cut across the corner towards the south of town. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Just after one of the traffic restrictions there's a right turn onto a shred-use path, which is not signed so can be easily missed. The shared-use path is very narrow and has a poorly sighted turn, so take great care of people walking. At the end of the path, turn left to get down to Perne Road in as short as distance as possible. | Starts on Radegund Road; Gisborne Path; at 00:04; Gisborne Road; at 00:14; Langham Road; at 00:16; |
Friendly
Railway Station to Hills Road (YouTube) A short cut. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Getting from the station out to Hills Road is a useful little link but with some peculiarities. First there is a bizarre side cyclepath for about 40 yards just on the edge of the station roundabout. This is round the rising bollard section of road and does go both ways. I guess it might be useful to get past a bus waiting for the bollards to retreat or if there's something else blocking the road. I wouldn't go near it unless dire circumstances prevail. By using it you lose right of way in a few dozen yards. Then it's through the new station bus station, er, if that's a phrase. Because this is limited traffic place it does seem a more pleasant environment than the normal city road. And the width of the road suggests that they'll be enough space for bus drivers to manoeuvre around people cycling. At the end of that it's straight on to get on the south Cambridge Guided Busway cyclepath. This goes all the way to Trumpington Park and Ride with a spur to Addenbrookes hospital. However, it's not in great use. See http://radwagon.co.uk/2012/05/south-cambridge-guided-busway-cyclepath.html for some ideas about that. But it's right towards Hills Road. Currently still through a building site. At the end of this link road there are limited options. Turning left is the main option. Over Hills Road railway bridge and onto south Cambridge. Alternatively, push the bike across the pedestrian crossing to the right of these lights. That gets to the Brooklands Avenue shared path towards Trumpington Road and the Coe Fen. For how that goes look at http://radwagon.co.uk/2012/06/wimpole-folly-and-three-cams.html for a high speed guide. | Starts on Station Place; Brookgate; at 00:39; |
Friendly
Ramsden Square, Campkin Road, Nuns Way Recreation Ground (YouTube) A quiet link for some bike types (but not all) through Kings Hedges. Goes through areas NorthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path. This is a good quiet way to get to the guided busway from town, however it is very poorly signed. Look out for people walking on the shared-use pavements. And look out for parked cars on the roads. The restrictions after Ramsden Square means this route is blocked from some types of bike. | Starts on Milton Road; Ramsden Square; at 00:10; Campkin Road Path; at 00:28; Campkin Road; at 00:44; Nuns Way Recreation Ground; at 01:00; Kirkwood Road; at 01:28; North Guided Busway; at 01:38; |
More links: Door Zone, Primary Position, Path, Shared-Use Path, People Walking, People Walking, Main Post
Reasonable
Red Cross Lane, Robinson Way, Robinson Way Path (YouTube) A quiet useful link through south Cambridge near the hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, cyclepath. Along Red Cross Lane many people driving do not pay attention and can try to bully you out of the way. Robinson Way can have people speeding, so the cyclepath is a welcome sight. | Starts on Red Cross Lane; Robinson Way; at 00:18; Robinson Path; at 00:42; |
Hostile
Regent Street, Hills Road (YouTube) A semi-hostile route south from central Cambridge getting better further out. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. Not a great place to ride, as quite busy. Note that the junction halfway though has changed, not much for the better. | Starts on Regent Street; Hills Road; at 00:23; |
Friendly
Regent Street, Regent Terrace, Parkers Piece, Gresham Road, Glisson Road, Lyndewode Road, Tenison Avenue, Tenison Road, Station Road (YouTube) A useful link out south from central Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| To get out of the unpleasant environment of Regent Street, I often turn left onto Regent Terrace. It's quieter (and if going that way you hit Gonville Place right you'll get onto Hills Road quicker). Take care of people walking here as well, give them plenty of space and give sound indicators in coming from behind. There's a short access way across the corner of Parkers Piece to a quiet route through to the station. This is actually designed as segregated infrastructure. But as it's so unusual don't expect people not to be walking here! At the end, the lights across Gonville Place are cycle-only so you must stop if they are red. You could get off and push your bike across legally, but often here it's not going to be sensible as there's a lot of traffic. From Gresham Road onwards, it's a wiggly route along residential roads. It's probably not quite as quick as Hills Road, but it's by a matter of a handful of seconds and it's much nicer. The streets have a lot of parked cars, so remember to ride outside of the door zone. Take care turning right into Glisson Road as people driving do tend to go straight on without looking. Likewise the turns into Lyndewode Road and Tenison Avenue are narrow. Tenison Road and Station Road have much less parking but do have more people driving. And it can be worthwhile taking the primary position, especially getting near the station roundabout. Note the person driving the taxi did a last minute poor overtake for absolutely no gain whatsoever. | Starts on Regent Street; Regent Terrace; at 00:02; Parkers Piece; at 00:12; Gresham Road; at 00:21; Glisson Road; at 00:36; Lyndewode Road; at 00:39; Tenison Avenue; at 00:44; Tenison Road; at 00:54; Station Road; at 01:02; |
Mixed
Regent Street, Sidney Street, Bridge Street, Magdalene Street (YouTube) This route straight through the middle of town. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This route goes straight through the middle of town. It can be busy but usually with slow traffic. Regent Street is okay, although it suffers from having short parking bays that make the road just a bit too narrow for oncoming buses to pass each other. This often means buses block the road where it's clear for people cycling to pass easily. Remember to avoid cycling in the door zone when passing these parking bays. There's rising bollards just after the pedestrian lights which means taxis and buses have to stop. If there is one there, this useful side path helps you through, although be careful pulling back out into the road, just in case the waiting vehicle has made a quick start. If there isn't anything waiting I would use the main road instead, it's straighter. After the Downing Street lights, it can get busy with both people crossing the road on well-used pedestrian routes and taxis pulling in and out of their rank. Once in the pedestrianised area, go slow and be prepared to stop, especially where it narrows. People walking are used to having people cycling here, but will change direction suddenly. Give them plenty of room. Coming back out of the zone, beware of vehicles coming round the corner from the right. The second set of rising bollards has another, smaller side path. Use carefully as necessary. And all the rest of the way up Magdalene Street be aware of the narrow spaces and many people walking. At the end a lovely picture of a useless bit of cycle infrastructure. The bus cannot do anything but block it. | Starts on Regent Street; St Andrews Street; at 00:34; Sidney Street; at 00:41; Bridge Street; at 00:57; Magdalene Street; at 01:01; |
Friendly
River Bridleway, Haslingfield (YouTube) A helpful link between villages to the south-west of Cambridge. Summer only. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);
| From the start of Cantelupe Road, turn right down the bridleway towards the river and Hauxton. The track is solid but a little bumpy. Be careful of people walking along here as it's quite a nice place to walk and relax. And there can be the odd person driving. The path goes alongside the river until the bridge. The track is solid up to the Haslingfield parish boundary, at a guess. After that it can get wetter under wheel in wintery times, but is fine in summer. At the road at the end, the pavements are shared-use so can be used to plan moving across the road on towards Hauxton. | Starts on River Bridleway, Haslingfield; |
Friendly
Riverpath, Fen Road, Milton (YouTube) A quiet road in Milton. Goes through areas North (Open KML), (Download KML); East (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, shared-use path. Fen Road is a touch rough. Look out at end of clip. | Starts on Riverpath; Fen Road, Milton; at 00:13; |
Friendly
Riverside, Midsummer Common, Auckland Road, Napier Street (YouTube) A useful quiet link to the Grafton centre from the river. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary, shared-use path. A route from the north and east into the Grafton Centre. | Starts on Riverside; Midsummer Common; at 00:07; Auckland Road; at 00:34; Napier Street; at 00:54; |
Friendly
Riverside, Stourbridge Common, Ditton Meadows (YouTube) A great way to get out of the centre of town to the east along a peaceful, green corridor. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A great way to get out of the centre of town to the east along a peaceful, green corridor. Riverside is now free of traffic works and mostly free of traffic. As there are many more people walking and riding here, driving is usually slow. Take care to give other people plenty of space, and in the few cases where they exist, ensure you ride outside the car door zone. Crossing into Stourbridge Common will increase the number of people walking, especially near the riverboats in the very first part. You may need to go slower to ensure everyone's safety. Stourbridge does have cows grazing. These are usually very docile and will move slowly out of the way if encouraged. The path is wide and well sighted. Do take care of dogs as despite the law, many owners do not stay in control of them when off the lead. At the end of the first meadow, the path narrows and goes along a wooden bridge under the railway. This requires you to be going quite slowly, especially under the railway. The wood has got grips but there are not very effective and the corners are completely unsighted for oncoming people walking and riding. After the bridge, the path turns away from the river and heads along the residential side. It is better to follow this round than going across the meadows next to the river. It gets very wet at the other end. Note that the boy in the cycle cattle grid has got stuck and they are waiting for the fire brigade to come along to free him. | Starts on Riverside; Stourbridge Common; at 00:25; Ditton Meadows; at 01:01; |
Friendly
Robinson Path (YouTube) Useful link from south end of Addenbrookes complex to Frank Crick Avenue and Guided Busway Spur. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Useful link from south end of Addenbrookes complex to Frank Crick Avenue and Guided Busway Spur. Take care at the beginning, the drop kerb access is at the bus-stop, just to add more conflict in. Thankfully the lights at the end are not cycleway only lights (that look like car road traffic lights), so you can cross if it is clear rather than having to wait. | Starts on Robinson Path; |
More links: Main Post
Friendly
Robinson Path (East) (YouTube) Useful link from Frank Crick Avenue and Guided Busway Spur to south end of Addenbrookes complex. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Useful link from Frank Crick Avenue and Guided Busway Spur to south end of Addenbrookes complex. Take care at the end, there is no quick drop kerb access to further travel. This is probably to stop people riding into the road without looking. Possibly better to have Giveway markings than do that little bit extra damage to bikes (and rear ends!). | Starts on Robinson Path; |
More links: Main Post
Mixed
Robinson Way (YouTube) A short ring road round the hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A short ring road round the hospital. Turning left from the main hospital entrance takes you up the south side Addenbrookes on Robinson Way. It's usually not too busy although you do get quite a few cars doing silly passes. Remember to take the primary position if you can see this might be dangerous. The first bit is back and forth along short sections. People driving may try to pass along these so it's worth taking the primary position to discourage this. At the first mini-roundabout there's an access straight ahead onto the genome cycle path to Shelford. Be careful of people here, it's a hospital smoking point. There are multiple accesses into the hospital complex as well as some turns to the left. Be aware that people driving and walking may not be paying attention and give space for people emerging in these circumstances. At the end, be aware that Long Road Sixth Form is likely to have lots of people walking and cycling, and possibly some quite inexperienced people driving. | Starts on Robinson Way; |
Reasonable
Robinson Way, Francis Crick Avenue (YouTube) A reasonable route linking to the genome path from Long Road. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, primary, secondary, cyclelane, cyclepath. The new route south from the hospital. A reasonable route, althoug hsome mindboggling decisions. The cyclelane on Francis Crick Avenue is just plain odd. A new development with lots of space and no off-road cyclepath? What is stranger is that as soon as it' gets to the new Addenbrookes Road, there is an off-road alternative. Why this dual consideration? Even on the offroad section, take care of people driving across, even if the cyclepath has priority. And development vehicles have a loose connection to the law about not parking in cyclepaths. | Starts on Robinson Way; Francis Crick Avenue; at 00:19; Addenbrookes Road; at 00:40; |
More links: Primary Position, Secondary Position, Cyclelane, Cyclepath, Path, People Walking, Main Post
Mixed
Robinson Way, Puddicombe Way (YouTube) A short route through the hospital. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A short route through the hospital. At the start, be aware that Long Road Sixth Form is likely to have lots of people walking and cycling, and possibly some quite inexperienced people driving. Turning left towards the main complex takes you up to the north side Addenbrookes on Puddicombe Way. It's usually not too busy although you do get quite a few cars doing silly passes. Remember to take the primary position if you can see this might be dangerous. There are mulitple accesses into the hospital complex as well as some turns to the right. Be aware that people driving and walking may not be paying attention and give space for people emerging in these circumstances. At the junction with Adrians Way, turn right towards the main hospital entrance. | Starts on Robinson Way; Puddicombe Way; at 00:07; |
Reasonable
Robinson Way, Red Cross Lane, Nightingale Avenue (YouTube) A reasonable route but sometimes has rat running on Nightingale Avenue in reduced space. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary. The access into Red Cross Lane is fairly limited and the Lane itself is awkward with parked cars. Nightingale Avenue is full of parked cars limiting space considerably. I tend ot use the primary and try to go at a good speed to get through it | Starts on Robinson Way; Red Cross Lane; at 00:08; Nightingale Avenue; at 00:24; |
Reasonable
Robinson Way, Sedley Taylor Road, Luard Road, Cavendish Avenue, Hinton Avenue (YouTube) A reasonable route from the Guided Busway side of the Addenbrookes Complex into south Cambridge. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A reasonable route from the Guided Busway side of the Addenbrookes Complex into south Cambridge. The first part up Robinson Way is usually not too busy although you do get quite a few cars doing silly passes. Remember to take the primary position if you can see this might be dangerous. At the end, be aware that Long Road Sixth Form is likely to have lots of people walking and cycling, and possibly some quite inexperienced people driving. On Long Road for a very short time. If there is space, pulling out and taking the primary position through the pedestrian crossing will stop bad passes and get you ready to get into the right turn lane. If this is a bit too scary or busy, use the shared path and crossing to get to the same road. Sedley Taylor and Luard Roads should be quiet, although there are a lot of people from the Sixth Form which require care. Also remember to avoid cycling in the door zone passing all the parked cars. At the end, it's a bit of a wiggle across Hills Road. Again, I mingle with traffic as there is a central lane for right turning. There's no nearby crossing unfortunately. Cavendish Avenue and Hinton Way are full of parked cars which may entail you being in the middle of the road to avoid the door zone. If this is the case, take care of oncoming drivers who may not expect you to be there and might just assume you'll pull over into danger. | Starts on Robinson Way; Long Road; at 00:17; Sedley Taylor Road; at 00:22; Luard Road; at 00:40; Cavendish Avenue; at 00:58; Hinton Avenue; at 01:24; |
Reasonable
Robinson Way, Sedley Taylor Road, Luard Road, Hills Road (YouTube) A quiet link to Hills Road then along the cyclespace. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, door zone, primary. Starts on a quieter residential route, although lots of parked cars to avoid. Hills Road has a separate shared-use path for those not wanting to be too near motor traffic. | Starts on Robinson Way; Long Road; at 00:03; Sedley Taylor Road; at 00:10; Luard Road; at 00:27; Hills Road; at 00:45; |
Reasonable
Rosemary Lane, Church End, Cherry Hinton (YouTube) A reasonable link through north Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See door zone, primary, secondary. Take care around the parked cars and try to maintain a straight line rather than dipping in and out. Dip in if you can should you need to let people driving to pass more effectively. | Starts on Coldhams Lane; Rosemary Lane, Cherry Hinton; at 00:02; Church End, Cherry Hinton; at 00:09; |
Friendly
Round Church Street, Park Street, Jesus Lane (YouTube) Following the route into town correctly from the north. Goes through areas CentreCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Usually entered from over Magdalene bridge when going this way. Round Church Street is short but could have the odd car heading to the car park. It's more likely to have buses and taxis. The junction with Park Street is likely to have cars crossing to the car park. It's probably easier to hang back from the odd single or duo cars at the lights, let them get away. Jesus Lane has a lot of parked cars, so stay a metre away from them just in case a door opens. | Starts on Round Church Street; Park Street; at 00:08; Jesus Lane; at 00:16; |
More links: Main Post
Friendly
Rowley Lane (YouTube) A rough rural track between Babraham and Stapleford. Goes through areas South (Open KML), (Download KML);
| Reduced Description. See walkers, dismount. This has been well used by people cycling for many years so is in the process of being changed into a shared-use route. It already has horse facilities at the river crossing. | Starts on Rowley Lane; |
Reasonable
Royston Lane, Comberton Road, Washpit Lane (YouTube) This is a country road route. Goes through areas West (Open KML), (Download KML);
| This is a country road route. It can be quiet but traffic can be bad at passing and doing at speed. Riding on roads like this means being seen as soon as possible and ensuring the widest pass you can at the slowest speed possible. Many people do not realise that when driving a car at speed (even legal), how disruptive and violent their movement can be. You need to be seen with plenty of time to react and guide passes wide and preferably slowed. I adopt a wide secondary position. I listen carefully for traffic behind and assess oncoming traffic all the time. If I feel both are going to meet I pull out into the primary position well before the event, leaving plenty of time for traffic behind to slow. When traffic is ready and free to pass I pull well in, giving plenty of room for them to pass. The turn left and right through the A603 road is a little scary, but the sight lines are very good here, so it shouldn't be too bad, even if cars are doing over 60mph. Washpit Lane is much quieter than the previous road. | Starts on Royston Lane, Comberton; Comberton Road, Comberton; at 00:16; Washpit Lane, Harlton; at 00:46; |
Friendly
Rustat Road, Carter Railway Bridge, Devonshire Road, Tenison Road (YouTube) A route across the railway to the station area. Goes through areas SouthCity (Open KML), (Download KML); EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A route across the railway to the station area. The cyclelane takes you onto the cycle bridge. Be aware people may cycle down this bit despite the markings. And people may walk across here as well. Towards the end of the cyclebridge, look down at the Devonshire Road for people driving. There 's usually not much traffic but it's worth checking. Plan your entrance onto the road. Also, at the bottom, look for people cycling and walking onto the bridge through the restricted access. This restriction does increase danger here. Notice as I join the road, I'm behind and going the same speed as motor traffic. just after joining the road, notice the car layby on the left. Remember to avoid the door zone here, which can take you out of the cyclelane entirely. Of course also notice the illegally stopped van. This can happen a lot just here, despite the empty slots in the layby. I come up to the lights just as they change and only just manage to establish my place on the road at the ASL. If you are not going to make it to a place where you will be seen, don't filter to the end like this. It's better to hang back than have someone drive into you turning left, even if they aren't indicating. Finally, Tenison Road can be a little busy with station traffic, but is usually okay. | Starts on Rustat Road; Carter Railway Bridge; at 00:01; Devonshire Road; at 00:19; Tenison Road; at 00:26; |
Friendly
Rustat Road, Davy Road, Radegund Road (YouTube) A short quiet link from the cyclebridge towards Cherry Hinton. Goes through areas EastCity (Open KML), (Download KML);
| A short quiet link from the cyclebridge towards Cherry Hinton. Rustat Road and Davy Road have a lot of parked cars so avoid the door zone. Also take care of oncoming traffic not taking this into consideration. On Radegund Road, the cycle accesses around the traffic restrictions can be blocked but are useful with oncoming traffic. The route onwards goes to the heart of Cherry Hinton avoiding the nasty Cherry Hinton Road. | Starts on Rustat Road; Davy Road; at 00:07; Radegund Road; at 00:21; |
All Other Indexes
There are several index pages in two types for this group of pages and associated YouTube clips and KML files.
- The Streets Index pages, listing in street order with route clips with start times and local area KML files for use and download
A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z - The Routes Index pages, listing in route order showing streets used with detailed description and local area KML files for use and download
A-C / D-K / L-R / S-Z
No comments:
Post a Comment