Cycling and Walking

Cycling and Walking in East Cambridgeshire

There are a number of fantastic cycling routes in and around East Cambridgeshire, and the Council is committed to help improving the network even more.

Although we are not responsible for delivering cycling and walking infrastructure, the Council understands that it is essential that the appropriate infrastructure is in place to make cycling and walking an attractive and safe alternative to driving. The Council recognises the environmental, health and wellbeing benefits of cycling and walking. 

Where to go Cycling and Walking

If you are new to cycling or walking, or perhaps have just arrived in the area, the best starting point would be to view our dedicated Walkers and Cyclists page at Explore East Cambs.

For cycling maps in East Cambridgeshire, and across the County, it is worth viewing the County Council's Cycle Routes and Maps page. 

If you are looking for inspiration for a day out cycling, then the komoot website has a dedicated East Cambridgeshire page.

Cycling and Walking future plans

The Council has long championed to improve the East Cambridgeshire strategic cycle and footpath network, and adopted an East Cambridgeshire Cycling and Walking Routes Strategy in November 2021.

The Council has in particular committed to prioritise five cycle routes for feasibility exploration and delivery. It has commissioned Sustrans, the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle, to produce feasibility studies which will give the Council a better understanding of the factors that need to be considered to deliver the cycle routes and an estimate of the cost. 

Sustrans have also updated the construction costs for the remaining works to complete the Wicken to Soham cycle path included in the report they produced in 2013. This information was used to inform a successful bid by ECDC and Soham Town Council and secure CPCA Market Towns funding towards the delivery of the route.

Wicken to Soham Route feasibility Study.

Sustrans presented the reports to Councillors, Parish Councils and other stakeholders at a recent seminar. A copy of their presentations is available below:

ECDC has funded the Sustrans work as these studies are an important step forward in making the case for future investment as they will ensure that we have developed proposals to put forward when funding is announced. They also put the Council in a strong position during developer negotiations to ensure that new development is designed to support and deliver active travel measures. 

The District Council will endeavour to obtain further funding for feasibility studies for other routes. These include:

  • Ely - Stuntney - Soham
  • Mepal - Sutton - Witcham - Witchford
  • Iselham - Fordham
  • Sutton - Earith
  • Wilburton - Cottenham

The Council will continue to work with partners to ensure our active travel infrastructure requirements are included in partner organisations policy documents such as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Local Transport and Connectivity Plan, which is currently being refreshed, and the Cambridgeshire County Council Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and Active Travel Strategy for Cambridgeshire. 

Cycle Parking and Repair Shops

If you want to find out if there are any cycle parking spaces on your journey or a cycle repair shop, a useful resource is via the bikedata website. The website and its maps are not controlled by the Council, but it gives you a good starting point. This link should take you to the Ely area, and highlights over 20 different locations to park your bike in the City.

Cycling Groups

If you would like to join a cycling group in the local area, then perhaps try contacting one of the following: