Cycling
Coronavirus update
For useful tips about cycling during the pandemic, see the British Cycling website.
If you do go out cycling, please follow our safety tips.
Cycling safety tips
Before you cycle:
- plan your journey - take what you need and consider avoiding places that might be busy
- ride within your limits and wear all the necessary safety equipment
- take extra care and be considerate of others
- when overtaking, use your bell and adjust your speed accordingly - leave plenty of space behind you before you cut back
- leave plenty of room in front of you if there's another cyclist in front of you when stopping at junctions
Cycling opportunities
There are lots of opportunities for cycling in Bracknell Forest. This includes:
- off-road and mountain bike trails at sites such as Swinley Forest, which lies to the south of the borough
- signed routes on quiet roads and public rights of way to the north
- purpose built, traffic-free cycle routes, planned and built to provide a comprehensive network - new stretches of cycleway are being sought in all major housing developments
Many of our parks and green spaces also have traffic-free cycle routes passing through them. Lily Hill Park, Mill Park, Savernake Park and South Hill Park are all connected to our cycle path network.
Please remember that cycling is not permitted on public footpaths or pavements.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Cycling in Bracknell Forest map | 9.63 MB |
Cycle maps - colour coded corridors
Some key sections of the cycle network benefit from colour coded signage to make them easy to follow. You can download or pick up a map from your local library.
You can also order copies of these leaflets online.
Swinley Forest mountain biking trails
Swinley Forest is an area of the Windsor Estate between Bracknell and Bagshot to the west of the A322. Owned and managed by The Crown Estate, it comprises 1000 hectares of mainly Scots Pine woodland.
Three cycle trails in line with the International Mountain Bike Association industry standards are available for you to enjoy in Swinley Forest. The green, blue and red cycle routes all begin from The Look Out Discovery Centre and provide a range of challenges for families cycling for fun to highly skilled riders.
More information about the cycle trails can be found on the Windsor Great Park website.
Round Berkshire Route
For more adventurous or experienced riders there is a 140-mile round-Berkshire route. This was set up in the 1990s and the printed map is no longer in production. While we cannot guarantee all the signage still exists along the entire route, we do try to make sure that the Bracknell stages of the route are signed.
Cycle safety training
The council organises Bikeability cycle training courses for young cyclists.
These courses are offered through primary schools to children in years 5 and 6. Please contact your child’s school to find out when their courses are planned.
Active Travel Fund
The council has been awarded £181,800 from the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund.
The objective of the bid is to help council's create an environment that is safer for both walking and cycling.
Under the terms of the grant we need to publish a consultation plan for our proposals.
| Attachment | Size |
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| Active Travel Fund consultation plan | 195.12 KB |
More information
Further information is available:
- GOV.UK - rules for cyclists
- Bracknell Forest Local Countryside Access Forum
- Gorrick MBC
- Berks On Bikes - BOB
- Sustrans - find out about the work of a national cycling charity
- British Cycling - find your nearest cycling club
- Berkshire Bikes and Mountain Trax - purchase bike equipment
- Swinley Bike Hub - closed
- Swinley Forest - cycling and rollerblading
Contact information
Customer services