Depending on how confident and fit a cyclist you are, there are a range of destinations that can be accessed by bike from your new home.
To help support cyclists, Leeds has an extensive and ever-expanding cycle network, with off-street and recommended on-street cycle routes, some of which pass close to Desire and Centurion Fields.
Manston Lane, Smeaton Approach, Pendas Way and Austhorpe Lane are all local recommended cycle routes. Slightly beyond these, the Leeds Core Cycle network runs from Garforth to the city centre through Colton and provides a mainly off-road link into Leeds. There are also new cycle lanes along the new road into Thorpe Park Leeds, for those heading that way for work, leisure or a bit of shopping, and the A6120 ELOR has segregated cycle lanes along its full length.
Route 66 of the National Cycle Network runs close to the site and provides a number of traffic-free stretches of cycling on canal towpaths and disused railways.
Both Colton Retail Park and The Springs can be reached in just 10 minutes by bike. Cross Gates train station is only a 5-minute cycle and has many cycle storage facilities available. Alternatively, for those willing to travel a little further, Garforth train station is less than a 20-minute cycle and Leeds train station will take you around 30 minutes to cycle to.
For more information on cycling locally visit our useful cycling guides and resources page.
Planning a Journey by Bike
If you are unfamiliar with the local area and looking to plan a route by bike, an online route planner can be a really useful tool to use. You can enter your journey start point and end point and the route planner will display a number of route options on a handy map. Alongside easy to follow directions it will tell you how far the journey is, how long it will take, and even how hilly it is.
The City Connect Journey Planner also allows you to plan your journey from A to B. Simply enter your start and finish points and away you go!
Why cycle?
Cycling is rapidly growing in popularity, and has for many people become an essential travel option. Cycling has always, however, been a great way to travel around for those able to do so. It offers many personal benefits, such as improved health and cost savings. It also offers significant benefits to the environment and local community, helping to take cars off the road, reducing pollution and reducing congestion.
Cycling can also be a great commuter travel option. If you’re new to cycling or aren’t really sure where to start with your cycle commute then check out some of our handy guidance on buying a commuter bike, commuting by bike whatever the weather and the benefits of choosing to travel actively.