Promote and encourage responsible cycling by supporting world class events that showcase the National Park, enabling the development of four ‘cycle hubs’, and creating at least one further family-friendly cycling route by 2024.
How the local partners are doing on this objective
Progress: 2 ‘cycle hubs’ have already been developed (Reeth and Settle). Public consultation was completed in June 2022 on the proposal for a possible new family-friendly, multi-user route running along the former rail line from Hawes to Garsdale. The National Park Authority is currently in discussion with potential partners to develop the proposal further.
Press Releases & related articles:
17 June 2022 – Strong Public Support for Hawes-Garsdale Proposal
Rationale: The 2014 Tour de France dramatically raised the profile of cycling as a way of enjoying the National Park. The Tour de Yorkshire and 2019 Cycling World Championships will continue to showcase the area. Facilitating the development of cycle hubs – places with cycle hire, good routes and supporting businesses – should be encouraged, along with more family-friendly and off-road routes for the benefit of visitors and residents
Lead partners: North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council
Supporting partners: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority; North Yorkshire Council; Westmorland & Furness Council; Welcome to Yorkshire
Further information: Cycle the Dales;
Cost over 5 years: £700,000
Funding shortfall: £600,000
Related objectives: B2; B8, E2; E3
Ecosystem services: Recreation
Trade-offs: Cycling events and heavily-used routes have the potential to have impacts on tranquility (A2); priority habitats (C1) and species (C2). Management and mitigation of these are guided by principles set out in the Special Qualities, Special Experience.
Baseline: No cycle hubs; 3 ‘family-friendly’ cycle routes