Author: Leigh Robinson anals are not just for old shopping trolleys… from pubs to cafes have National Standards Cycling sprung up Instructor When someone says “canal” – Do you instantly around the Photos: Leigh Robinson think urban scrawl and detritus, graffiti on the canal network. (C) ChainLink Media 201 4 gas works wall, or a collection hub for traffic They offer cones and discarded shopping trolleys? anything from the cold pint to homemade cakes. Where there is water – there is Yes? Then think again. Canals are the new development. Canal locations are now very motorways for those of us who prefer getting desirable for property development and around under our own steam. The UK is blessed with over 2000 miles of canals that run included in this is the development of visitor attractions and facilities, as well as the through urban centres, leafy suburbs, and green rolling countryside. So, when was the last historical and old industrial attractions. time you seriously considered using your local Canals are also easy to navigate with no need canal path? for the latest GPS download or that crumpled old map. Simply hop on and hop off as you Sustrans, the national transport charity, have been very quick to spot the potential of canals need to. Many roads intersect the canal for cyclists. They have adopted over 650 miles network so there are a great number of of canal towpaths as part of the national cycle opportunities to leave and access the network. network. Where Sustrans has become involved It is easily possible to navigate routes from the the canal towpaths have undergone significant south of the UK to the north using canals and NCN routes. The flat landscape of canals change and development. Detritus has been makes cycling easy. The only inclines you are replaced with paved or hard gravel surfaces, which are adequately signed, often well lit, and likely to find are next to locks, over bridges, and over aqueducts. increasingly furnished with art installations.
There are many advantages to cycling on towpaths. Firstly, they are often well connected to other transport links, local facilities, and stunning locations. Canals are often very near to railway stations. Hundreds of businesses
"Canals are the new motorways for those of us who prefer getting around under our own steam"
There are some downsides such as shared access with pedestrians and dog walkers. Not all routes are easily navigable because of poor surfaces or overgrown vegetation. Urban detritus and even anti-social behaviour are found very occasionally. Careful planning will help with avoiding these minor inconveniences. For all the negatives there are twice as many positives. The UK’s canals are the arteries of the cycling movement. They offer so much to the cyclist that it seems crazy not to utilise them fully. Ask yourself – What have you got to lose? Why not get out on to your local canal and see what it has to offer? You will be pleasantly surprised by the experience.