National Cycle Network
Sustrans was founded in 1977, by a group of people in Bristol keen to work towards a future in which people travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. The first route was the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, a 17-mile traffic-free trail along a disused railway.
2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the National Cycle Network. In September 1995 Sustrans was the first charity to receive funding from the newly-created National Lottery. The award contributed towards the first 2,500 miles of a 6,500 mile National Cycle Network. Read the latest Route User's report to see how far we've come since then.
Since 1995, the Network's length and popularity have grown enormously and the Network now carries more than a million walking and cycling journeys every single day.
The Network is made up of more than 12,000 miles of traffic-free walking and cycling paths, quiet lanes and on-road cycling routes that are often a great way to get to work, school, the shops or just for exercise and fun. The Network is available to everyone and passes within a mile of over 55% of the population.
Download a copy of our 2010 National Cycle Network map illustrating routes throughout the UK - published Feb 10 (PDF, 1MB).
As you can see we've come a long way, but we want to do more. You can help us to complete the grey sections of proposed routes on this map so that even more people can enjoy the Network in their area. Make your move by donating online today.