I have previously written about how cycling is an important part of our car-free-dom. As well as how ‘mediative biking’ is part of my attempts to try to stay calm in facing the inevitable motor vehicle traffic when peddling around.

One way of trying to get away from the traffic is to focus your cycling on the UK’s National Cycle Network – which “is a UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling and exploring outdoors”.

Don’t get me wrong the National Cycle Network is a fantastic initiative. However, from the very beginning I understand that it has been a fight for those trying to develop it. It was initated by a voluntary group in Bristol wanting to turn a disused railway line into a cycling and walking route.

I think the story goes that the Bristol group got the money from Clarks (the shoe shop) to pay for surfacing the disused railway line by convincing them it was worth it as if people walked more they would need to buy more shoes!

The network has significantly developed from those days. With proper investment it could be an incredible network. Unfortunately it struggles for government money – which appears to be a trickle rather than a flood, although maybe that is looking up a bit lately – despite all the health and wellbeing benefits that it would offer to everybody.

Definitely do go and find your nearest cycle route. We have found some of it is wonderful dedicated space for cycling away from motor vehicles. However, other parts are less good – and can be very challenging to follow and work out how it fits together.

Maybe we are not so good at following the signs. But my main advice is when you go out to explore the network be prepared to be patient if you get lost or lose you way. Enjoy the car-free-dom it can offer!