Cycling in Belfast

Family cycling Getting on your bike has many benefits - not only is it a cheaper and greener way to get from A to B, but it gets you out in the fresh air and, more importantly, gets you moving.

Cycling is an essential part of our vision for creating a more active city and, fortunately, Belfast has many dedicated cycling routes for those who want to get away from the traffic.

You can also find facilities for BMX bikes at Ormeau Park, Victoria Park, Waterworks and Bridges Urban Sports Park

Mountain bike trails

Barnett Demesne in south Belfast is home to the city's first mountain bike trails and the only official dirt jump park in Ireland. They are free to use and contain trails suitable for all levels to enjoy.

Bike Club

We have teamed up with Bike Club to help give children and young people in Belfast greater access to a range of cycling activities and training schemes.

Bike Club, which is led by a consortium of three charities (ContinYou, UK Youth and CTC, the UK's national cyclists' organisation), aims to get more people cycling more often. It promotes the benefits of cycling for everyone, particularly ten to 20-year-olds and their families.

We want to show anyone who doesn't currently cycle how much they can get out of it – as a means of transport, for exercise or even just for fun and freedom!

We're keen to support any ideas you have that help children and young people to explore, learn and share their experiences of cycling. For example, why not start up your own bike club with your family, friends, school or community group?

The Bike Club's start-up guide has plenty of tips for getting started, as well as activities and ideas to make your club a success. It is available to download from www.bikeclub.org.uk

Membership

Regardless of where you live in Northern Ireland, you can take out membership for your cycling group and join the Bike Club network to receive benefits such as: We are always looking for new clubs to get involved and you can download an application form from www.bikeclub.org.uk

Please return your completed application form to:

Bike Club Development Officer
Parks and Leisure Department
Belfast City Council
24-26 Adelaide Street
Belfast
BT2 6DG

To find out more about Bike Club membership, or to get advice on setting up your own cycling club, call our Bike Club Development Officer on 028 9032 0202 (extension 3436) or email edgart@belfastcity.gov.uk

Cycling routes in Belfast

Belfast is becoming increasingly cycle-friendly. Whether you want to cycle for fun or you're commuting to and from work or school, there are plenty of cycle lanes, off-road paths and riverside terraces to try.

Comber Greenway

The Comber Greenway is a seven mile traffic-free section of the National Cycle Network which runs along the disused Belfast to Comber railway line. The path provides a tranquil green corridor from Comber to the heart of east Belfast with views of Stormont, Scrabo Tower and the Belfast Hills.

The route, which won first prize in the European Greenways Awards in October 2009, begins at Dee Street and passes by the CS Statue at Holywood Arches, continuing along the Bloomfield Walkway. It then passes through Tullycarnet and Dundonald, before finishing at the Belfast Road in Comber. There are several access points along the route.

More information about the Comber Greenway is available from www.discovernorthernireland.com

Lagan and Lough Cycle Way

The Lagan and Lough Cycle Way is a 21-mile traffic-free cycle ride or walk connecting Lisburn, the Lagan Valley, Belfast (with links to the city centre) and Jordanstown. It is mostly level and is suitable for novice and family cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Call 028 9066 2259 to request a leaflet or visit the Sustrans website to find out more.

Belfast by Bike

This guide provides useful information for safe and enjoyable urban cycling. It includes advice on safe cycling and the Highway Code and includes a map showing cycling routes in Belfast.