Commuting

Preston is rapidly developing a reputation for being one of the most cycle-friendly towns in the UK. It’s at the heart of the National Cycle Network, with a number of traffic-free routes and the brand new Guild Wheel circular greenway Preston is a great place to ride a bike.

Cycle route provision
Preston stands at the meeting point of three major National Cycle Network routes, Route 62, which enters the town from Fylde in the west, Route 55 which heads in from the south via Leyland and Route 6 which heads north out of town towards Lancaster.

However it’s Preston’s ‘Guild Wheel’ which is the real news. The Guild wheel is a 21 mile traffic-free greenway encircling the town; essentially a cyclist’s ring road, developed as a lasting legacy of the 2012 Preston Guild. It takes cyclists around town in a relaxing, scenic fashion, taking in Preston Docks, Avenham and Miller parks, Fishwick Bottoms, Melling Wood and Brockholes. The Guild Wheel has its own microsite within Lancashire County Council’s website, where you can keep up to date on developments.

Within the wheel, there are numerous recommended cycle routes, identified on Preston Town Council’s cycling map (LINK). Under development is the Preston Railway Station/Fishergate Centre Link - a direct path into Preston Railway Station and the Fishergate Shopping Centre from the south of the Ribble. For updates on this route, check out Lancashire County Council’s cycling pages.

Cycle parking
Lancashire County Council has a great interactive map detailing the many cycle parking locations in Preston and elsewhere in the county.

Cycling and trains
Preston station has sheltered cycle storage on all platforms and is linked to the cycle network by the new cycle path mentioned above. If you intend to take your bike on the train, your best bet is to check with the individual train operator for their cycle policy.

Cycle shops
Leisure Lakes' Preston branch is perhaps the best known shop in town, while online giant Ribble is in Bamber Bridge. Broadgate Cycle Stores are in Penwortham Lane, while Wallis Cycles are in Walton-le-Dale and Fulwood Cycles serves the north of the town.

Don’t leave home without...
Preston Council’s Cycle Map, which details traffic free paths, recommended routes, cycle crossings and other permissive routes in the town. You can get the map from Preston Council’s website here.

Essential Links
Open Cycle Map – Preston  
Lancashire County Council Cycling Pages  
Preston Council Cycling Pages