Active travel

Active travel across Belfast

One of the aims in our Bolder Vision strategy for Belfast is prioritising walking, cycling and public transport. This will improve wellbeing, create more space for people and make it easier to move between the city centre and surrounding communities. We have several active travel projects underway to achieve these goals: 

• Cathedral Gardens Active Travel Hub
• The Bike Yard
• Covered cycle stands

The Cathedral Gardens Active Travel Hub

We opened an Active Travel Hub, in partnership with Sustrans (link opens in new window).

The Active Travel Hub is housed in two refurbished shipping containers at Cathedral Gardens, beside the new Ulster University campus.To encourage and support more people to walk and cycle, the Hub offers a programme of activities, training and events delivered by Sustrans, including:

• led walks and cycle rides
• on-road cycle training
• journey planning support and active travel promotion

The Hub is open for events and activities listed. For information, contact Sustrans by email Rachael.Ludlow-Williams@sustrans.org.uk or call 07876 453515.

There's also an Active Travel Hub at Queen's University. For information, contact:

• Big Loop by email bigloopbikes@theturnaroundproject.org or call 07716 642264 or 07716 642265

This is a two-year pilot project to encourage more people to walk and cycle more often. The project is supported by the Department for Infrastructure, the Department for Communities, Ulster University and the Public Health Agency.

We want to encourage people to travel actively and sustainably in Belfast. We also want to make a positive contribution towards health and well-being and protecting our environment.

Active Travel hub events

Active Travel cycling and walking events in April 2024 are listed in the table. Each link opens in a new window.

The Bike Yard

We also opened The Bike Yard, a free, secure public cycle parking facility in partnership with CastleCourt Shopping Centre (link opens in new window), funded by the Department for Infrastructure (link opens in new window).

You can access The Bike Yard by the pedestrian access to CastleCourt car park from Gresham Street and Berry Street. There is step-free access from Berry Street.

This table shows The Bike Yard's opening hours.

The facility can house 24 bikes and offers all-day on-site security.

Located within reach of City Hall, the new Ulster University campus, and the site of Belfast Stories, set to become a world-class visitor destination, it’s in the heart of the city centre and accessible to all.

Secure cycle storage in Belfast

Our Bolder Vision for Belfast provides an ambitious blueprint, illustrating how a green, walkable, cyclable network of streets and places will improve health for all, revitalise the city’s economy and restore a sense of collective pride in the city centre.

The development of a network of secure cycle parking locations is supported by the Department for Infrastructure, which recognises the importance of walking and cycling provision within the city, as outlined in the recent publication: ‘Making Belfast an Active City – Belfast Cycling Network 2021’ (link opens in new window).

We secured capital funding through the Department for Infrastructure’s Blue Green Infrastructure Fund and invited applications from operators to deliver and maintain safe and secure cycle parking provision. 

Successful applicants will be responsible for the operation of the secure cycle parking provision, including, but not limited to:

• operation of service including provision of access and management of users
• adequate security and monitoring
• financial management
• customer service and support
• regular maintenance and cleansing

When we've selected the successful locations, we'll publish an update on this page. 

Covered cycle stands

We installed covered cycle stands to encourage people to use their bikes more to get around the city. Most of these have green roofs to help improve air quality and to encourage biodiversity.

You’ll find covered cycle stands at:

• Belfast Zoo
• Belmont Park
• Belvoir Activity Centre
• Gasworks
• Grosvenor Community Centre
• Inverary Community Centre
• Mary Peters Track
• Shankill Leisure Centre
• Waterworks

We’re working to install 20 more covered cycle stands across Belfast.