Travel by bike

We actively promote cycling, and are working hard to increase safety and convenience for cyclists. We have made cycling and cyclists an important part of our transport plans. If we can encourage more people to cycle, we'll have a healthier, less congested, less polluted county.

Why are we encouraging people to cycle?

Everyone needs to travel. It is an important part of the way we live today. And there are ways of using our existing road network in a better way. Cycling takes up less road space and helps lessen the amount of traffic on local roads.

With more and more cars about, it will not be long before our roads cannot cope with the amount of traffic. This will lead to traffic jams and delays, more pollution and longer journeys. It's not possible to build enough roads to cope with ever-growing car numbers. Nor will it be possible to protect our environment against ever-growing traffic pollution.

So we need to think about how we can do things differently.

Many journeys people make are less than two miles, which is a distance most people would be able to cycle. There are a wide range of benefits to cycling - for individuals, the wider community and for the environment:

• fewer cars using the road
• a quicker journey by bike than car at peak times
• a healthier and fitter society

How are we encouraging more people to cycle?

There are a number of ways that we are promoting cycling as an alternative to the car:

• Businesses and schools

The daily school run makes up a large part of the morning rush-hour traffic. We are working with schools and employers to create travel plans and to promote cycling.

There would be a big improvement in the amount of traffic on our roads at this time if we can encourage more journeys to work or school by bicycle.

• Cycling for health

We are working with local health professionals to promote the fitness benefits of cycling; how it can help us become healthy and fit, and reduce our stress levels. On average, people who cycle regularly enjoy a fitness level equal to being 10 years younger than the rest of us.

• Cycling for leisure

Kent has approximately 490 kilometres of cycle network. These are made up of national cycle routes, regional cycle routes, recreational cycle routes and urban cycle networks.

We provide maps and route guides to encourage people to use these routes. We provide cycle stands in town centres, which give you a safe place to leave your bike.

What about cycling in the future?

Kent's local transport plan includes plans to improve and expand the cycling network, and services for cyclists in Kent. We will continue to promote the benefits of cycling, and we will also continue to increase road safety for cyclists and promote safer cycling practice.

How do we decide where a new cycle route will be?

We want new cycle routes that let cyclists reach places safely and easily. We try to plan cycle routes from places such as residential areas to:

• town centres
• railway stations
• bus stations
• schools
• workplaces
• shops
• other popular facilities, such as leisure centres or parks

What are we doing to make cycling safer?

Safety is the most important factor when we plan and provide a new cycle route. We work closely with schools, district councils and others to develop safer routes to schools, colleges and universities.

If there are a number of accidents that involve cyclists in a particular area, we will identify the problem and make any necessary safety improvements.

We also offer cyclist training to year 6 students.

Go Cycle Kent

For information about cycling in Kent, visit gocycleKent (link opens in a new window).

Report a problem

If you notice a problem on one of our roads, you can e-mail us using the online fault reporting form (link opens in a new window) or you can call us at any time, any day of the week on 08458 247 800.