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Journey planning made easy with the new TravelEssex sustainable travel app


03/04/2022
Latest News

A free-to-use sustainable journey planner, the new TravelEssex app helps people in Essex to plan their journeys and travel by foot, bike, bus and train anywhere in the county.

Providing real-time travel information, users are given detailed expected journey and departure times for walking and cycling routes as well as bus services, including First, Arriva, Hedingham, and Stephensons, as well as Greater Anglia and C2C rail, National Rail and London Underground trains.

Download TravelEssex on the App Store
Download TravelEssex on Google Play

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Local maps and initiatives

Local maps

For a successful and safe journey, planning your route ahead of time is essential. Please use the district/borough links below to find a wealth of information on interesting cycle routes throughout Essex which will allow you to make the most of your journey.

Local initiatives

Our support for local initiatives will ensure that people are encouraged to cycle by other local cyclists, and provided with the practical advice and support that they need to be confident to use their bicycles on a regular basis. This will help to ‘embed’ cycling as a normal, everyday activity, rather than just a one-off experience. Local initiatives are particularly effective at engaging with people on a personal level and ECC has committed to empowering the Boroughs/Districts, charities and community groups in Essex to promote cycling locally. Please use the district/borough links below to find out what is happening in your area.

Nb*. We are aware that there are huge number of local initiatives promoting cycling across the county and would like to support them via the website. If you know of any local cycling initiatives that should be added to these pages please email cycling.strategy@essex.gov.uk.

Local maps

basildon cycle map

Local initiatives

  1. The Basildon Bike Hub, located in Vange, provide opportunities for volunteering, work experience and training for our back to work schemes, with participants going on to gain employment in Cycle shops and Cycle projects. They train Walk Leaders who volunteer on led walks as well as promoting walking, cycling and jogging as part of their Great Outdoors programme. The Vange Bike Hub is open every Tuesday for repairs and advice.
  2. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  3. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  4. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  5. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  6. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  7. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  8. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  9. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  10. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.
  11. Street Tag is a free app, where you explore your local area, on foot or bike, collecting virtual tags. You collect points for these tags, and compete against others in a league table. Great for adults, and even better for children.

Local maps

braintree cycle map 

Flitch Way Open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, the Flitch Way is flat and mostly traffic free. There are many public footpaths exploring the countryside just off the route.

Local initiatives

  1. Braintree district offers the cyclist a great variety of cycling from quiet country lanes which meander through picturesque villages and historic sites, to more challenging hillier routes which explore the depths of the rural countryside and medieval market towns. There are a wealth of routes to choose from including genteel family routes, which are ideal for those with young children as well as routes that give you a great opportunity to explore the district of up to 30 miles of inter-linking routes connecting areas of interest.

  2. Braintree Easy Riders cycling group was established 3 years ago to help get more people cycling and since those early days it has grown to with members ranging from their 20's to 70's. The aim of the group is to get more people of all ages and abilities cycling as it helps people become healthier and creates free and more active citizens.
  3. Witham Boys' Brigade. Cycle maintenance workshops, led rides, Bikeability for those with learning difficulties and le Tour de Witham.
  4. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  5. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  6. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  7. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  8. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  9. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  10. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  11. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  12. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local maps

brentwood cycle map

Local initiatives

  1. As part of its commitment to Health and Wellbeing and to assist residents in becoming healthier and more active, Brentwood now has a Cycle Brentwood group to promote cycling within the Borough. The group, which is overseen by Brentwood’s Health and Wellbeing Board contains members with an interest in cycling and having work responsibilities in this area, such as Essex County Council, Brentwood Borough Council, cycle shops, Trailnet and Active Brentwood.
  2. The following groups and organisations offer cycle-related support and services:
  3. Trailnet - An Essex and London based community interest company dedicated to encouraging and supporting people of all ages and abilities to become more active. They offer bike hire, recreational group rides for all abilities, cycle training and a range of cycle promotion events and services. Trailnet also run a thriving Inclusive Cycling programme for children and adults with disabilities, refurbish donated bikes for resale and offer bike maintenance training.
  4. The Big Bike Revival - Has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  5. Bike Events - Making cycling enjoyable for everyone by running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  6. Big Pedal - The UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  7. The Cake Escape - The Cake Escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  8. Safer Essex Roads Partnership - 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  9. Sustrans - The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  10. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  11. For those in Ingatestone and the surrounding villages Ingatestone Pedallers provides the ideal chance to discover new routes, meet fellow cyclists and learn more about the area’s history.
  12. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  13. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local initiatives

  1. Hadleigh Park has lots of exciting events from National Mountain biking Competitions to family fun days and ranger activities. ‘Home of mountain biking’ at the London 2012 Olympics, this world-class sporting venue boasts a huge network of bike trails alongside a large car park, café, bike shop and hire, classroom and children’s play area. The tracks are free to ride’. They also offer a variety of school trips and corporate hire.
  2. Hadleigh Park Cycles is the place to go to find out about riding in the park, including on the 2012 Olympic mountain bike course. This includes details on how to hire a bike.”
  3. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  4. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  5. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  6. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  7. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  8. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  9. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  10. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  11. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local maps

chelmsford cycle map
writtle cycle map

Explore Chelmsford - Cycling Routes

Chelmsford City Sports have produced a series of maps for family-friendly cycling routes around Chelmsford, to find out more and to download the maps visit the Chelmsford City Sports website.

Local initiatives

  1. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  2. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  3. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  4. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  5. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  6. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  7. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  8. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  9. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local maps

Colchester Cycle Map
Colchester Cycle Map
Greenstead Cycle Map
Highwoods Map
Lexden map

Local initiatives

  1. The 2016 Get On Your Bike! leaflet is available to view. Whether you are a beginner or more into sporty cycling, find out about local cycling groups you can ride with and how to get help to fix your bike or boost your confidence to cycle.
  2. Colchester Borough Council has six e-Cargo bikes available for local businesses and organisations to try for a FREE short-term loan. A lot cheaper to run than a van or a car, they can also use routes to bypass the traffic unavailable on the road. You can also wheel them right up to your business’ doorstep, meaning less carrying.
  3. Colchester Bike Kitchen and Wivenhoe Bike Kitchen are DIY community bike workshops run by volunteers. In return for a small donation you can use their tools either on your own or under the supervision of their friendly mechanics. Watch the Wivenhoe and Essex Bike Kitchen’s film.
  4. Cycle Colchester is a legacy of the Cycle Town 2008–2011 project, keeping the community up to date with what is happening locally to promote and support cycling. Sign up for our monthly newsletter; download local cycling maps showing Colchester's urban cycle routes, paths and quiet roads to help cyclists who want to avoid cycling on larger roads; and check the On Your Bike leaflet for details of local bike clubs and led rides. Cycle Colchester provides an established information service for cycling in the town, working in partnership with other bodies, including the police, to increase the ease with which people can cycle.
  5. Colchester Cycling Campaign promotes utility cycling in and around Colchester and wants to make it easier for people of all ages to ride a bike to work, school, the shops or just to meet friends. We press our councils to provide better infrastructure and conditions for everyday cyclists, with funds coming from public expenditure and companies involved in new developments.
  6. Re-cycle is the UK’s biggest and best-known bicycle recycling charity. It receives abandoned bikes reclaimed by councils and the police, as well as those donated by members of the public, and sends them to Africa where they provide transport for those who would otherwise spend significant time walking to reach essential services and resources. Re~Cycle also refurbs the strong and trusty delivery bicycles that were once a mainstay of the Royal Mail’s postal delivery fleet.
  7. Essex University encourages cycling to its Colchester Campus. Find out more about the changing facilities, parking, fixing stations etc here. The charity Re-Cycle visits the University of Essex Colchester Campus every Wednesday morning in term time. As well as free checks they provide servicing, repairs and affordable second-hand bikes.
  8. Uni Bike Rides. Organised by Colchester Travel Plan Club to point out useful information for students cycling in the UK for the first time, and cycling tips to build confidence and help students cycle more safely.
  9. Colchester Cycle Campaign. offers a great site about utility cycling in and around Colchester, Essex, UK. They also offer great information on buying a bike, bike hire in the town, rides, clubs, bike basics and learning to ride!
  10. Colchester Cycle Campaign offers a great site about utility cycling in and around Colchester, Essex, UK. They also offer great information on buying a bike, bike hire in the town, rides, clubs, bike basics and learning to ride! Colchester Travel Plan Club promotes active and sustainable travel to work and on business. Providing experience and expertise in creating positive travel behaviour change and an ever expanding range of resources you can use to develop initiatives and promotions.
  11. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  12. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  13. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  14. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  15. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  16. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  17. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  18. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  19. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.
  20. Street Tag is a free app, where you explore your local area, on foot or bike, collecting virtual tags. You collect points for these tags, and compete against others in a league table. Great for adults, and even better for children.

Local initiatives

  1. The Cycling for Health programme is a series of weekly social cycle rides in the Epping Forest or Lee Valley led by qualified and knowledgeable instructors from Epping Forest District Council's Communities Department. Rides take place on bridleways and walking paths so are generally traffic free. Our routes are between around 10 km and 15 km (6 to 10 miles) with a varying degree of difficulty, which can be identified in the diary by the triangular symbol. During each ride there is the possibility to stop for a break and have a chat so that you can get to know your fellow riders. To take part you do not need your own bike or helmet as thanks to Raleigh and Diamondback we have a pool of bikes that you can hire. All we ask is that you give us 48 hours notice that you will be attending and needing a bike.
  2. High Beach Youth Cycling Club is a competitive mountain biking club for young people aged eight and over. It meets for training at Debden Campsite in Loughton every Saturday at 10.00am. Training sessions last two hours and all abilities are welcome. The Club helps young people develop the skills needed to be able to enter local and regional competitions. Sessions cost £8 for non club members and bikes can be supplied at no extra cost with prior notice.
  3. For more information please see the Epping Forest District Council Forever Active leisure activities information.
  4. Cycling in Epping Forest Cycling in Epping Forest is a great way to get away from it all, keep fit, train for a special event or just explore more of London's largest open space. There are over 80km of multi-user paths in the Forest to explore, including our nine waymarked trails.
  5. Explore miles of traffic-free routes by bike across Hertfordshire, Essex and London. Lee Valley Regional Park is perfect for family cycling or for faster paced pedallers.
  6. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  7. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  8. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  9. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  10. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  11. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages
  12. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  13. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  14. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local maps

harlow cycle map

Local Initiatives

  1. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  2. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  3. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  4. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  5. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  6. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  7. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  8. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  9. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local maps

maldon cycle map

Local initiatives

  1. Maldon District Cycling webpage for local information.
  2. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  3. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  4. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  5. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  6. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  7. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  8. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  9. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  10. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local Initiatives

  1. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  2. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  3. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  4. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  5. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  6. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  7. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  8. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  9. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local initiatives

  1. Colchester Bike Kitchen, Wivenhoe Bike Kitchen Clacton Bicycle Kitchen and Jaywick Bicycle Kitchen are DIY community bike workshops run by volunteers. In return for a small donation you can use their tools either on your own or under the supervision of their friendly mechanics. Watch the Wivenhoe and Essex Bike Kitchen’s film.
  2. Cycle in Tendring. What better way to explore our beautiful countryside than by bicycle. Please download our brochures (see useful documents area) for suggested routes.
  3. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  4. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  5. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  6. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  7. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  8. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  9. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  10. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  11. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.
  12. Essex Pedal Power is a new and exciting community-based project being piloted in Clacton and Jaywick Sands, which allows eligible residents over the age of 12 to apply for a new FREE quality bicycle.
  13. Street Tag is a free app, where you explore your local area, on foot or bike, collecting virtual tags. You collect points for these tags, and compete against others in a league table. Great for adults, and even better for children.

Local Maps

Local initiatives

  1. Uttlesford District Council are promoting health benefits of cycling.
  2. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  3. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  4. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  5. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  6. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  7. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  8. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  9. WOW is the FREE pupil reward system for active travel, where everyday pupil log how they got to school on the interactive Travel Tracker. If they do enough active travel in a month they earn themselves a WOW badge, and the design of the badge changes each month to keep things fresh.
  10. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local initiatives

  1. Southend ReCycle Centre has drop-off points around the town, refurbishing donated bikes and selling them at low cost.
  2. Cycle Southend are here to help Southend residents in all things bike!
  3. Ideas in Motion. There are many different ways to travel around Southend-on-Sea... but most of us are stuck in the habit of using the car. We think it’s easier, quicker and cheaper than walking, cycling or using public transport… until we get stuck in a jam on our way to work or spend half an hour trying to find a parking space in town. That’s why we’ve set up Ideas in Motion – an initiative to reduce the number of cars on our roads and help make travelling in and around Southend-on-Sea easier, cheaper and healthier for everyone.
  4. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  5. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  6. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  7. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  8. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  9. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  10. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  11. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

Local initiatives

  1. Cycling is a fun, healthy and environmentally-friendly way to get around Thurrock.
  2. The Big Bike Revival has been running for four years to inspire the 42% of people who own bikes, but who don’t cycle, to start riding. With events across England and Scotland, people attending benefit from free cycle checks, servicing, cycle maintenance workshops, cycle training and accompanied rides. Find an event.
  3. plusbike powered by National Rail provides information on what bike facilities are available at stations across Essex and beyond.
  4. Bike Events makes cycling enjoyable for everyone - we've been running rides for over 20 years and are the UK's biggest organiser of fundraising and recreational cycle rides.
  5. Big Pedal is the UK's largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge. It inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Each year Essex schools compete nationally for prizes and awards. See if your school participates or how you could enter.
  6. The Cake Escape. The cake escape is encouraging Essex residents and visitors alike to grab their bikes and cycle through some of the most beautiful places in Essex. The cake escape combines a little exercise with exploration of the countryside and the best of local café culture.
  7. Safer Essex Roads Partnership. 75 training places of adult cycle training and maintenance, delivered via a workplace road safety programme. Email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org for more information or visit our Safer Essex Roads Partnership Cycling pages.
  8. Sustrans. The recruitment and coordination of volunteers, to work on route upkeep and led rides. You can volunteer to help support Sustrans in Essex.
  9. Love to Ride is a great resource, where you can log the rides you make, and learn from others about routes you might not know. It’s completely free, and there are regular opportunities to win great prizes.

National Cycle Network

The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom and is managed by the charity Sustrans. Currently spanning 13,400 miles it was officially created in 1995 and now passes within one mile of half the population, over 338 million trips were made using it in 2006.  National Routes 1, 11, 13, 16 & 51 all pass through Essex.

Sustrans produce a map of the 369 mile route along NCN 1 on England's east coast. For cost and availability, please visit their website.

The Flitch Way map covers a recently resurfaced off-road route along a former railway line between Braintree and Stansted.

Other useful links

Visit Essex is the official tourism site covering the county.  It provides valuable information on walking and cycling through Essex, with details of five cycling routes passing through towns and villages taking in historic sites and places of interest. 

Essex Country Parks have planned cycle routes and some even offer you the chance to hire bikes, tandems, trailers, child seats and tagalongs.


Discovery Maps

Flint and Forge Discovery Map - A 14 or 30 mile route, starting in Stansted Mountfitchet and heading west towards the former home of sculptor Henry Moore.

Two Rivers Way Discovery Map - A 12 or 25 mile route around the Dengie Peninsula between the Rivers Crouch and Blackwater.

Witchfinders Way Discovery Map - A 21 or 26 mile route from Harwich to Manningtree via Mistley and the River Stour.


Map your own routes and plan your journey by bike

Map my ride.

CycleStreets is a UK-wide cycle journey planner system, which lets you plan routes from A to B by bike. It is designed by cyclists, for cyclists, and caters for the needs of both confident and less confident cyclists. 

Choose how you move 


Report a problem

If you see an issue on the public highway, please use the report it online facility to let us know.