Cycling in Cardiff

According to their Cycling Strategy (see below), Cardiff County Council aims to encourage citizens to cycle more, citing the improved health through increased fitness, reduced pollution and congestion of the local environment, economic gains through cycle tourism and leisure, independence for those people who cannot or do not wish to use a car, and the fact that cycling can be the quickest and most convenient form of transport in urban areas such as Cardiff.[http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?Object_ID=10140 Cardiff Council | Cycling Strategy July 2007]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 2002 they appointed a full-time Cycling Officer.[http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?Object_ID=10140 Cardiff Council | Cycling Strategy July 2007]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} p.10

The council's Transport, Infrastructure and Waste service aims to ensure that an increase in cycling is matched with a reduction in the number of collisions involving cyclists.

Cardiff Council also provides off-road cycle training for school pupils to develop basic cycling skills based upon the National Cycling Proficiency Scheme. Training covers the Highway Code, negotiating obstacles, turning left and right, emergency stops and basic cycle maintenance.[http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2870%2C4048%2C4196%2C4606&parent_directory_id=2865 Cardiff Council | Cycling: Contacts] More than 1,500 children participate in this course every year in Cardiff, according to the council's Cycling Strategy.

The council produces a free map of the city, available from its offices or from cycle shops, highlighting cycle paths, lanes and suggested cycle routes.

The council's Cycling Strategy was adopted in 1998. The 2007 update showed that 2.7% of people living in Cardiff cycled to work in 2001, an increase from 2.6% in 1991. However, an Omnibus survey showed that in 2003 and 2005, 3.6% and 4.3% of people cycled to work respectively. Although, the number of children cycling to school fell from 5% to 2% since 1989–91. In the strategy, the council intends to:

• encourage and promote cycling
• provide safe facilities such as wider cycle lanes and advanced stop lines at traffic signals
• conduct a trial scheme to assess the viability of allowing cycling through pedestrian areas in the city centre
• improve cycle links between residential and commercial areas
• facilitate integration with other modes of transport
• improve and maintain the cycle network
• develop and clearly sign routes

File:Cardiff Cycleway 1 - Next to the Student Union.jpg and the main road. Plans for new cycleways are similar to this.]]

Cardiff Council are in the process of developing 5 cycleways across the city.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/|title=Cardiff Council|website=www.cardiff.gov.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-08-22}} This falls in line with its strategy to provide far more segregation from motorised traffic for cyclists.

While work on the routes has already broken ground,{{Citation|title=Cycleway 1, Cardiff (under construction)| date=24 July 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XTvUpUryBE |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/2XTvUpUryBE |archive-date=2021-12-20 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}{{cbignore}} some have criticised both certain design flaws{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/travel/cycle-super-highways/Documents/CSH1.1%20Consultation%20Report%20ENG.pdf|title=CSH1.1 St Andrew's Crescent, St Andrew's Place and Senghennydd Road Consultation Report|date=2018-10-17|access-date=2019-08-22}} and how long it is taking for consultations to be published, with only two published within as many years. While some routes are essentially brand new, others are facelifts or changes of priority for current routes, such as Cycleway 3 on Lloyd George Avenue, and Cycleway 2 on Newport Road.

The proposed Cycleway routes are:

• Cycleway 1: City Centre to Cathays, University Hospital Wales, Heath High Level and Heath Low Level Rail Stations, and North East Cardiff Strategic Development Site
• Cycleway 2: City Centre to Adamsdown, Newport Road retail parks, Rumney, Llanrumney and St Mellons Business Park
• Cycleway 3: City Centre to Cardiff Bay
• Cycleway 4: City Centre to Llandaff, Danescourt and North West Strategic Development Site
• Cycleway 5: City Centre to Riverside, Ely and Caerau.

File:Cycle lane in Excalibur Drive, Cardiff.jpg

The 2011 Cardiff Council cycle map listed 12 cycle shops (down from 14 in 2009) in the city: in Canton, Cathays (Crwys Road), Cathays (Woodville Road), Gabalfa, Grangetown, Llandaff North, Llanrumney, Pontcanna,{{Cite web|url=http://www.bikeshedwales.com/|title=The Bike Shed, Cardiff. Electric Bikes, Road, Mountain, Hybrid, E Bikes, E-Bikes, Ebikes, Emtb, Kids. Trek, Genesis, Merida, Ridgeback, Bianchi, Raleigh, Electra, Pashley, Ragley, Dahon, Adventure. Sales and repair. The Friendly Bike Shop, Cathedral Road. Cardiff.|website=www.bikeshedwales.com|access-date=2019-08-22}} Rhiwbina, Roath (Broadway), Roath (Newport Road) and Whitchurch.Cardiff Council Cardiff Cycling map 6th edition (2011) Braddicks on Broadway, Roath, closed in January 2015 after 70 years trading.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff-cycle-shop-founded-empire-8544816 "Cardiff cycle shop founded by Empire Games hero Reg Braddick closes after 70 years"], Wales Online, 29 January 2015.

Some roads in the city provide distinct cycle lanes to the left of the vehicle lane. According to the Cardiff Cycle Map, these include:

;West Cardiff

• Cowbridge Road East and Castle Street: main western approach from Canton to the city centre
• Wellington Street: parallel to Cowbridge Road East and part of the A4161 road
• Pen-Hill Road and Cathedral Road: in Pontcanna
• St Fagans Road and Pencisely Road: roads approaching Waun-Gron Park railway station in Fairwater

;North Cardiff

• Caerphilly Road: a main road in Birchgrove from the city centre to northern suburbs and part of the A469 road
• Excalibur Drive: leads from Caerphilly Road to Lisvane and Thornhill railway station in Thornhill
• Ty-Glas Road: leads from Caerphilly Road through Llanishen
• Cathays Terrace: connects Crwys Road (the main road through Cathays) and Corbett Road (around Cardiff University)
• Fairoak Road: connects Crwys Road and Wedal Road (near Roath Park)

;South Cardiff

• Penarth Road: part of the A4160 road leads from Callaghan Square near Cardiff Central to Grangetown
• James Street: leads from Grangetown to Cardiff Bay

;East Cardiff

• Llanrumney Avenue: a main suburban road running through Llanrumney

There are also lanes that cyclists share with buses, motorcycles and taxis, in which it is illegal to drive on in any other motor vehicle.{{cite web|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/1522524.thousands_of_motorists_to_be_caught_by_bus_lane_spy_cam/ |title=Thousands of motorists to be caught by bus lane spy cam (From The Argus) |publisher=Theargus.co.uk |date=5 July 2007 |access-date=10 July 2010}} Such lanes are on:

• Newport Road: in Rumney and Roath, East Cardiff
• Westgate Street, St Mary Street and Wood Street: in the City Centre
• Boulevard de Nantes and Dumfries Place: leading from Cathays Park in the centre to Newport Road and East Cardiff
• Cowbridge Road East: from Canton to Ely Bridge in West Cardiff
• Tudor Street: a main city centre approach from Riverside in West Cardiff

Segregated cycle facilities can be a shared pavement with pedestrians, running alongside a road or through a park for example. This is denoted by a blue circular sign showing a bicycle and pedestrians. A cycle only route is denoted by blue circular sign showing only a bicycle. Much of the Taff Trail, Ely Trail and Rumney Trail are segregated from traffic. Other such routes in the city include:

;West Cardiff

• Llandaff Fields: through parkland area in Pontcanna, connecting with the Taff Trail

;North Cardiff

• M4 Junction 32: routes run under the junction from Coryton to Tongwynlais
• Gabalfa Interchange: routes run over and round the junction as an alternative to vehicle routes
• University Hospital of Wales: routes run around Heath Hospital through King George Field

;South Cardiff

• North Road:{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/transport-projects/Consultations/Documents/09.01.18/North%20Road%20Consultation%20Report%20ENG%2008.01.18.pdf|title=North Road / Corbett Road Cycleway Upgrade and Pedestrian Facilities|date=2019-08-22|website=North Road / Corbett Road Cycleway Upgrade and Pedestrian Facilities|access-date=2019-08-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/transport-projects/Consultations/Documents/CO18041-%2801-05%29-B%20Concept%20Design.pdf|title=North Road Cycleway Upgrade Phase 2|date=2019-08-22|website=North Road Cycleway Upgrade Phase 2|access-date=2019-08-22}} from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama to Llys Talybont, connecting to the Taff Trail.
• Leckwith Road: from Ninian Park railway station in Canton connecting to the Ely Trail.
• Cardiff International Sports Village: the vicinity has a network of segregated routes connected to the Ely Trail in the west, Grangetown in the north, and Cardiff Bay in the east.
• Lloyd George Avenue: from the City Centre to Cardiff Bay, part of Route 8
• Central Link: parallel to the east of Lloyd George Avenue
• ''Butetown: a route runs through a housing estate to Cardiff Bay, parallel to the west of Lloyd George Avenue
• Rover Way: through an industrial and commercial estate between Adamsdown and Tremorfa

;East Cardiff

• Llanedeyrn: a route runs through the housing estate from St Mellons Road to Llanedeyrn Interchange
• Pentwyn Drive: a route runs along this road in Pentwyn around Wern-goch Park and connects with the Rumney Trail
• St Mellons: routes connect various parts of the suburb
• Llanrumney: a route connects Llanrumney Avenue with Ball Road, near the Rumney Trail

There are bicycle stands for parking in locations including the following:

;West Cardiff

• Canton: Cowbridge Road East, Wellington Street and Llandaff Road
• Fairwater: Fairwater Library

;North Cardiff

• Rhiwbina: Rhiwbina railway station
• Cathays: North Road (A470 road) and Cathays Library
• Penylan: Penylan Library

;South Cardiff

• Cardiff Bay: around Mermaid Quay, Wales Millennium Centre, Atlantic Wharf and West Bute Street

;Cardiff City Centre

• Central Square: for Central bus and railway stations
• Castle Street: near Millennium Stadium
• Wood Street: at Millennium Plaza
• The Hayes: for Cardiff Central Library
• Westgate Street: opposite Millennium Stadium
• The Friary: for Queen Street
• Park Place: for Queen Street
• Charles Street: for Queen Street
• Churchill Way: for Queen Street and Capitol Shopping Centre
• Queen Street: near junction with Newport Road
• Cardiff Queen Street railway station
• Callahagn Square
• Cathays Park: at City Hall
• Adamsdown: Roath Library

;East Cardiff

• Rumney: Rumney Library
• Llanrumney: Llanrumney Library
• St Mellons: St Mellons Library

File:Cardiff cycle hire 2010.jpg

Pedal Power is a charity with their main bike centre in Pontcanna offering cycle hire facilities. Cycle training and cycle assessments are also available.{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffpedalpower.org/ |title=Home |publisher=Cardiffpedalpower.org |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=10 July 2010}}

In March 2009 the Welsh Assembly Government and Cardiff Council announced plans to introduce a free cycle hire scheme, with bike racks placed around the city, allowing people to pick up bikes and ride them to another point, where they would leave the bike. Money would also be put into creating more strategic cycle routes and cycle lanes.{{cite web|author=Abby Alford |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2009/03/12/cardiff-transport-shake-up-must-work-91466-23125436/ |title=News – Cardiff News – Cardiff transport shake-up 'must work' |publisher=WalesOnline |date=12 March 2009 |access-date=10 July 2010}} The system, similar to those in other large cities, launched in September 2009,[http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/oybike-rental-scheme-a-success-in-cardiff-25570/ "OYBike rental scheme a success in Cardiff: Council hopes for more fairweather converts" 4 April 2010 at bikeradar.com] Accessed 14 September 2017[https://www.theguardian.com/cardiff/2010/apr/07/cardiff-oybike-scheme-paris-velib "OYBike fails to ring my bell" Opinion "With Cardiff's answer to the Parisian Vélib relaunching this spring, we decided to take a city SmartBike for a whirl"] 8 April 2010, at theguardian.com, Accessed 14 September 2017 and included 70 bikes and 35 hire points (initially 7) around the centre and the south of the city. The stations (in 2010) were: Central Station; Cardiff Castle; Central Library; Queen Street Station; Churchill Way; City Hall; eastern Queen Street; Cardiff Bay Station; County Hall; and Cardiff Bay Visitors’ Centre.{{cite web |url=http://www.oybike.com/oybike/cms.nsf/customFrmMap?OpenForm&ParentUNID=241B7D69F515D518802576380073E8D9 |title=Reinventing the wheel | Rental Locations |publisher=OYBike |access-date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625215540/http://www.oybike.com/oybike/cms.nsf/customFrmMap?OpenForm&ParentUNID=241B7D69F515D518802576380073E8D9 |archive-date=25 June 2010 |df=dmy-all }} It was necessary to register before using a bike. The first half an hour was free after which a small hourly fee was payable. The scheme, which was part of a £28.5 million plan to encourage residents in the capital to use sustainable transport and ease congestion, was welcomed by campaigners.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/8267199.stm |title=UK | Wales | South East Wales | Public bike hire scheme for city |work=BBC News |date=22 September 2009 |access-date=10 July 2010}}{{cite web|author=Abby Alford |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2009/09/22/smart-bike-system-launch-91466-24747392/ |title=News – Cardiff News – Smart bike system launch |date=21 September 2009 |publisher=WalesOnline |access-date=10 July 2010}}

The cycle scheme run by OYBike ended in December 2011 after funding was removed by Cardiff council; the operator did not have other sponsors so the bikes along with their smart locks were removed from the city centre.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/brakes-put-bike-hire-scheme-1796236 "Brakes put on bike hire scheme: A bike hire scheme is to be scrapped next month after Cardiff council ended its financial support." 16 November 2011 at walesonline.co.uk] Accessed 14 September 2017

{{Update|section|date=March 2022}}

In June 2017 Nextbike was announced as the new provider of a public bike hire scheme for Cardiff. This would integrate new technology into the bikes, rather than the docking stations.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiffs-new-bike-hire-scheme-13201489 Ruth Mosalski: "Cardiff's new bike hire scheme expected to be up and running by this autumn", 19 June 2017 at walesonline.co.uk] Accessed 14 September 2017 Fifty bikes went 'live' in March 2018, with an official launch in May 2018 when the numbers would increase to 250.{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2018-03-26/first-wave-of-nextbikes-arrive-in-cardiff-in-bid-to-reduce-congestion/ |title=First wave of nextbikes arrive in Cardiff in bid to reduce congestion |work=ITV News |date=26 March 2018 |access-date=20 October 2018}} The bikes could be rented via a website, a telephone hotline, or by downloading a mobile app. Standard charges were £1 for every half hour period. Annual subscriptions were also available.{{cite news|author=Jessica Walford|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-seeing-huge-cycling-boom-14778283 |title=Cardiff is seeing a huge cycling boom on back of city's new bike-hire scheme |work=Wales Online |date=13 June 2018 |access-date=20 October 2018}} Almost 7,800 people were registered for the scheme by June 2018. Nextbike has been both popular and successful, with Cardiff Council backing the scheme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/|title=Cardiff Council|website=www.cardiff.gov.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-08-22}}

Nextbike has begun to introduced electric bikes across Cardiff, where users can rent and return electric bikes.

In 2021 Nextbike secured a sponsorship deal with OVO.

In December 2023, Nextbike announced that they would pull out of Cardiff due to high rates of theft and vandalism.{{Cite news |date=2023-12-08 |title=Nextbike Cardiff: Bike sharing scheme scrapped due to theft |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-67646004 |access-date=2024-05-05 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

Cardiff Cycle Workshop, a bike workshop launched in July 2010 in Ely, refurbishes and repairs unwanted cycles, saving old bikes from the landfill and revitalises them for new owners at cheaper prices. Cardiff Cycle Workshop has an agreement with Cardiff Council for cages to be placed in the waste facilities in Fairwater and Grangetown for members of the public to leave their unwanted bicycles. Then the bikes are refurbished, checked for safety and have parts replaced. The bikes are then sold for anything from £10 to £150. Three year funding has come from the Big Lottery Fund.[https://www.theguardian.com/cardiff/2010/jul/07/cardiff-cycle-workshop-vintage-bikes-ely-dr-bike-cycle-training-wales Guardian Cardiff | New Cardiff Cycle Workshop opens as city sees vintage bike revival]

Cross city north cycleway began as a temporary cycleway along Cowbridge Road East, North Road, Boulevard de Nantes, Dumfries Place, and Newport Road.{{Cite web|last=Seabrook|first=Alex|date=2020-10-17|title=Work finally begins on new 'pop-up' bike lanes in Cardiff|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/work-finally-begins-new-pop-19073904|access-date=2021-09-15|website=WalesOnline|language=en}} This runs around the city centre, connecting to cycleway 1, cycleway 4, and the Taff Trail. It will eventually also connect to cycleway 2 and cycleway 5.

File:Cardiff Cross City North Cycleway - Next to Cathays Park.jpg|Looking down the route adjacent to Boulevard de Nantes.

File:Cardiff Cross City North Cycleway - Driveway.jpg|Looking down the route adjacent to Cowbridge Road East, towards the city centre.

Cycleway 1 is a bidirectional cycle track under development. It will eventually link the city centre to the suburb of Lisvane, with connections to the University Hospital of Wales, Heath High Level railway station, and Heath Low Level railway station. As of 2021, a section on Senghenydd Road had been completed, with construction under way on an extension to the University Hospital of Wales, costing £6,000,000.{{Cite web|last=Seabrook|first=Alex|date=2021-07-02|title=A mile-long £6m new cycle path is about to be built in Cardiff|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-cycle-path-cathays-heath-20959413|access-date=2021-07-31|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Seabrook|first=Alex|date=2021-09-13|title=Work starts on £6m cycle path from Cathays to UHW|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff-cycleway-plans-latest-where-21539643|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-15|website=WalesOnline|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913114228/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/cardiff-cycleway-plans-latest-where-21539643 |archive-date=13 September 2021 }} In 2023, that section was completed.{{Cite web|first=Robyn|last=Thomas|date=2023-12-19|title=Cycleway 1.2, Cathays Terrace to Heath Hospital, Cardiff - Volos|url=https://volos.co.uk/portfolio-items/cycle-1-cathays-to-university-hospital-of-wales-cardiff/}}

File:Cardiff Cycleway 1 - Looking down Senghenydd Road.jpg|On Senghenydd Road, with blue paint indicating that cyclists have priority over the side junction.

File:Cardiff Cycleway 1 - Next to the Student Union.jpg|Next to Cardiff University Student Union on Senghenydd Road.

Cycleway 4 is a bidirectional cycle track. It will eventually link the city centre to Llandaff, Danescourt, and Plasdwr. As of 2021, a section in Sophia Gardens has been completed, with consultations ongoing for an extension to Llandaff.{{Cite web|last=Seabrook|first=Alex|date=2021-03-27|title=Plans unveiled for Cardiff's next cycleway to Llandaff Village|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/consultation-launches-cardiffs-next-cycleway-20255580|access-date=2021-07-31|website=WalesOnline|language=en}}

File:Cardiff Cycleway 4 - Pedestrian crossing.jpg|A pedestrian crossing to the SWALEC Stadium in Sophia Gardens.

File:Cardiff Cycleway 4 - Road, footway, and cycleway.jpg|Looking towards the city centre in Sophia Gardens.

File:Cardiff Cycleway 4 - Crossing Street in Bute Prk.jpg|The southern end, where it meets a short path to the Taff Trail and cycleways in the city centre.

The off-road Ely Trail is under development in the west and south of the city as of 2010, funded by the County Council, Visit Wales, and Countryside Council for Wales.{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=7845 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609182655/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=7845 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} So far completed is the northern section through St Fagans, Fairwater and Ely, and the southern section running from Leckwith to the south along the River Ely through Grangetown, finishing at the Cardiff International Sports Village. However, these sections are yet to be connected.{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=5987 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609182824/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=5987 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}

The route is connected to Cardiff City Centre via an off-road north-south route through Butetown.Cardiff Cycling Map 2007 The Taff Trail at Cardiff Bay can also be joined from the trail via Grangetown and Butetown.{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=10831 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609182945/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=10831 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }}

File:Ely Trail Fairwater.JPG|The Ely Trail in Fairwater

File:Ely Trail St Fagans.JPG|The end of the Ely Trail in St Fagans

File:Ely Trail Picnic Area.JPG|A picnic area on the Ely Trail

File:Cardiff Llys Ta-Y-Bont Cycleway - Raised Crossing 1.jpg

The Llys Tal-Y-Bont Cycleway is a bidirectional cycle track approximately 0.5km long. It runs from a connection with the Taff Trail and the North Road Cycleway to the Excelsior Industrial Estate, with a connection to a bike park. Originally, this route was a 2m wide shared path, but work in 2020 upgraded it to a 2m wide path for pedestrians and a 4m wide separate path for cyclists. This also makes use of an existing underpass under Eastern Avenue.

File:Cardiff North Road Cycleway - Blackweir Section.jpg

The North Road Cycleway runs from the city centre to Birchgrove. Upgrade work on an existing route began in 2018,{{Cite web|date=2018-02-01|title=Work Begins on Cardiff's Cycling Infrastructure Schemes|url=https://businessnewswales.com/work-begins-cardiffs-cycling-infrastructure-schemes/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Business News Wales}} and a 2020 upgrade to a large section of the cycleway means that it is both off-road for nearly all of its length and has a maximum width of 4 metres.{{Cite web|date=9 January 2018|title=North Road / Corbett Road Cycleway Upgrade and Pedestrian Facilities|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/transport-projects/Consultations/Documents/09.01.18/North%20Road%20Consultation%20Report%20ENG%2008.01.18.pdf|access-date=9 September 2020|publisher=Cardiff Council}}{{Cite web|title=The Council is consulting on the proposal to implement a traffic management scheme based on the plan shown.|url=https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/transport-projects/Consultations/Documents/CO18041-%2801-05%29-B%20Concept%20Design.pdf|access-date=9 September 2020|publisher=Cardiff Council}} The cycleway is separated from pedestrians for the newer section near the city centre. The route has been criticised for being too close to trees for much of the route, potentially leading to increased leaf litter.{{Cite web|date=2017-11-29|title=The Great North Road Cycleway Upgrade…|url=https://cardiffbybike.wales/2017/11/29/the-great-north-road-cycleway-upgrade/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Cardiff By Bike|language=en}}

The off-road Rhymney Trail is being developed by the Council as a commuting and recreational route along the Rhymney River in the east of the city. Currently completed is the section between Llanedeyrn and Rumney.{{cite web |url=http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=3620 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-04-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609183218/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/objview.asp?object_id=3620 |archive-date=9 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} The Cardiff Cycle Map shows the route running off-road from Llanedeyrn Interchange, bypassing Llanrumney to the west, briefly joining Newport Road (B4487), and then heading south of Rumney to Wentloog Avenue (B4239). However, an off-road section also runs north-south through Pentwyn from Llanedeyrn.

File:Taff Trail sign, Grangetown.jpg]]

The 55-mile long Taff Trail runs from Cardiff Bay through Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon,{{cite web |url=http://www.tafftrail.org.uk/ |title=Cycle the Taff Trail – Breath the Contrasts across South Wales |publisher=Tafftrail.org.uk |access-date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050707013107/http://www.tafftrail.org.uk/ |archive-date=7 July 2005 |df=dmy-all }} forming part of the Lôn Las Cymru – the National Cycle Network Route 8 to Holyhead.{{cite web|url=http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1215165108687 |title=Route 8 |publisher=Sustrans |access-date=10 July 2010}}

The route begins at Roald Dahl Plass in Cardiff Bay and runs mostly off-road through the city for {{convert|7.5|mi|km}} north around Grangetown{{Cite web|url=https://greenergrangetown.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/taff-embankment.pdf|title=Taff Embankment|website=Greener Grangetown|access-date=2019-08-22}} and the City Centre, joining the River Taff in Bute Park before heading north-west through Llandaff and Radyr, leaving the city at Tongwynlais.

File:Pont y Werin construction.JPG

National Cycle Route 88 is a coastal cycle route being constructed from Newport to Margam Country Park, Bridgend, via Cardiff.{{Cite web|title=Route 88|url=https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/route-88/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=Sustrans|language=en}}

File:Cardiff Pont y Werin.jpg

Pont y Werin (Welsh for The People's Bridge) is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge spanning the River Ely between Cardiff Bay and Penarth. This forms a key part of Route 88. Costing approximately £4.5 million, Pont y Werin crosses between the Cardiff International Sports Village and Penarth, allowing the public to travel to the Sports Village via Cogan railway station.[http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=&id=5034&Positioning_Article_ID=&Language=&d1=0 Cardiff Council's proposed bridge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609170317/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=&id=5034&Positioning_Article_ID=&Language=&d1=0 |date=9 June 2011 }}

Opened on 14 July 2010, the bascule bridge completes the {{convert|6.5|mi|km|adj=on}} Cardiff Bay circular walk and cycle route,[http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/southeastwales/hi/people_and_places/nature/newsid_8599000/8599389.stm BBC News: First steps on bridge between Cardiff and the Vale] and incorporates a 20-metre opening section to allow river traffic to pass. The whole bridge is a shared space for pedestrians and cyclists, and is not wide enough for segregation.

In 2010 it was announced a commuter route for cyclists would be installed, aiming to improve transport links between Penarth and Cardiff Bay.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2010/10/29/cycle-lane-plan-for-penarth-to-cardiff-bay-route-91466-27562766/#ixzz13l3qcBn2 "Cycle lane plan for Penarth to Cardiff Bay route"], WalesOnline – 29 October 2010{{update inline|date=August 2013}}

Cycling is integrated into the city's urban rail network, which is operated by Transport for Wales Rail. Most trains have spaces for two cycles. However they are not permitted on services from Caerphilly, Radyr (except the City Line), Cadoxton, and Ebbw Vale Town to Cardiff Queen Street or Cardiff Central between 07:00 and 09:30, or services in the reverse direction 16:00 to 18:00 on weekdays. Outside these times, carriage is still at the discretion of the guard. Folding cycles can be carried folded-up at any time.{{cite web |url=http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=5300 |title=showcontent |publisher=Arrivatrainswales.co.uk |access-date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525204448/http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=5300 |archive-date=25 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }}

There is cycle storage at Cardiff Central station on all platforms, at the front and rear entrances to the station, and in the Riverside car park.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/CDF.html#Accessibility |title=National Rail Enquiries – Station Facilities for Cardiff Central |publisher=Nationalrail.co.uk |access-date=10 July 2010}}

Cycles are also permitted free of charge on the wider national network provided they can be safely stored in the designated areas and reservations through the train operator are recommended. Bikes must be carried in the designated area of the train and can't be stored in aisles or vestibule areas. Cycles can not be carried on rail-replacement coach services. Folding bikes can be carried at all times as normal hand luggage.

Transport for Wales also operates most of the Welsh rail network and its cycle policies apply to other services as well without the restrictions applied to the Cardiff rail network.

Cycles can not be carried on bus services in Cardiff. However, a Beacons Bus runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays in summer to Brecon which tows a cycle trailer to carry cycles.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclebreconbeacons.com/en/contactus_transport.html |title=How to get here – Cycling in the Brecon Beacons National Park |publisher=Cyclebreconbeacons.com |access-date=10 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930192528/http://www.cyclebreconbeacons.com/en/contactus_transport.html |archive-date=30 September 2009 }} Efforts have been made to ensure there is bike parking next to bus stops.

Sustrans is a UK sustainable transport charity that constructs safe cycle routes and other inititiatives to encourage people to walk or cycle. Their Valleys Cycle Network project aims to add 100 miles of vehicle-free routes in the Valleys of South Wales.[http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/wales Sustrans website "Wales"] Retrieved 10 September 2011.

In September 2011 it was announced that Sustrans Cymru were launching a new project in Cardiff funded by the Wales Government. This involved offering expert consultation to Cardiff householders to draw up personal travel plans, designed to reduce car journeys and encourage, amongst other things, increased use of bicycles.[http://www.walesonline.co.uk/cardiffonline/cardiff-news/2011/09/07/cardiff-to-spearhead-a-commuter-revolution-91466-29376067/ Cardiff to spearhead a commuter revolution] Wales Online, 11 September 2011 (Retrieved 10 September 2011)

The Cardiff Cycling Campaign campaigns for better provisions for cyclists in the city,{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffcyclingcampaign.org.uk/ |title=Cardiff Cycling Campaign |publisher=Cardiff Cycling Campaign |date=11 March 2008 |access-date=10 July 2010}} believing that the council's attitude is inadequate.{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffcyclingcampaign.org.uk/modules.php?name=FAQ&myfaq=yes&id_cat=1&categories= |title=FAQ |publisher=Cardiff Cycling Campaign |access-date=10 July 2010}} While it welcomes the Council's commitment to consider the needs of cyclists, it argues that these should not be marginal in relation to the management of cars and buses. A sea-change in thinking is required and available Council funds need to be used imaginatively to create 'coherent and continuous routes' through the city for cyclists.{{cite web|url=http://cardiff-cycling-campaign.co.uk/information/useful-information/ |title=Useful Information |publisher=Cardiff Cycling Campaign website |access-date=4 October 2011}} For example, safe cycling routes through the city centre were lost with the construction of the new St Davids 2 shopping centre.

In April 2006 the Campaign pointed out that only 2.7% of people cycled to work in Cardiff. Campaigners cycled through Cardiff city centre during a rush hour period, accompanied by local councillors and a Welsh Assembly Member. A participating councillor was quoted as saying 'I was happy to rise to the challenge but at times it was frightening. The cycle lanes were sometimes inadequate and complicated, and if I hadn't been with the campaign I probably would have got lost'.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Councillors+are+told%3A+%27Get+on+your+bikes%27.-a0144554176 |title=Councillors are told: 'Get on your bikes'. |publisher=South Wales Echo article reproduced by thefreelibrary.com |year=2006 |access-date=4 October 2011}}

Cycle Cardiff aims to raise awareness of cycling and organises bike rides in and around the city.{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclecardiff.org.uk/ |title=Cycle Cardiff |publisher=www.cyclecardiff.org.uk |access-date=10 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327144130/http://www.cyclecardiff.org.uk/ |archive-date=27 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}

The Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride has taken place annually since 2008. This is part of a globally coordinated World Naked Bike Ride, designed to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and campaign for better cycling facilities. In June 2011 80 cyclists reportedly took part riding through the centre of Cardiff, many of them naked.[http://yourcardiff.walesonline.co.uk/2011/06/13/naked-bike-ride-takes-over-cardiffs-streets/ "Naked bike ride takes over Cardiff's streets"] WalesOnline, 13 June 2011

• Outline of cycling
• [https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Parking-roads-and-travel/travel/cycle-super-highways/Pages/default.aspx Cycleways - Cardiff.gov.uk]

{{Primary sources|date=April 2009}}

{{reflist|2}}

{{commons category|Cycling in Cardiff}}

• [http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2870%2C4048%2C4196&parent_directory_id=2865 Cardiff Council cycling home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609183903/http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2870,4048,4196&parent_directory_id=2865 |date=9 June 2011 }}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050707013107/http://www.tafftrail.org.uk/ Unofficial Taff Trail Website]
• [http://www.routes2ride.org.uk/wales/routes2ride/taff_trail_cardiff_to_castell_coch/ Taff Trail in Cardiff]
• [http://www.keepingcardiffmoving.co.uk/ Keeping Cardiff Moving]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20091015212242/http://www.oybike.com/oybike/cms.nsf/customFrmHome?OpenForm&ParentUNID=5E8F660D1D16E66B80257638007563B5 OYBike – Cardiff Smart Bike hire]
• [http://wiki.worldnakedbikeride.org/index.php?title=Cardiff World Naked Bike Ride, Cardiff]
• [http://www.cardiffpedalpower.org/ Pedal Power Bike Hire ]

{{Transport in Cardiff}}

{{Transport in Wales|state=collapsed}}

{{Cycling in different countries and cities}}

Category:Cycling in Wales

Category:Transport in Cardiff

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