Unofficial Cycle Routes

Website by Andy Preece Web Design

There are various official cycle routes in the Glasgow area but here are some suggestions for linking between them or for going to different areas. None of these routes are signposted as cycle routes and you will need a decent map. If you are a confident fast cyclist you will probably want to stick to the main roads, but if not, you may wish to try out these routes which have less traffic on them (normally) than the main roads will have. Organisers of rides are welcome to try out these routes with a view to holding rides over them, but do try them out first in case you don’t like them.

Some routes are prettier than others; some go out into the countryside, while others are entirely urban. The variety of different qualities of housing stock, land use and open spaces is quite marked in the Glasgow area and this is reflected in the routes. One moment you might be cycling through a well-to-do suburb, the next a run-down council scheme, then suddenly arrive in open countryside. Don't claim there isn't diversity on these routes.

Please remember to obey the Highway Code, don't cycle on footways or where there are "No Cycling" signs and have respect for other road-users or path-users. Gates and steps are mentioned where present, except gates on canal towpaths which are assumed, but no mention is given to stopped up roads with no exception for cyclists, or missing dropped kerbs where paths intersect roads. Also, please ensure your bike is in good working order. Take lights if you may be out during the hours of darkness, and dress in an appropriate manner for the likely conditions.

Several of these routes are shown in the Glasgow Cycle Map, along with many more sections of useful routes (and it's also more convenient to use out on the road than a computer). You could also draw these routes onto an old map. Some parts of these routes are featured in rides organised by Go Bike (visitors welcome). Numerous links are provided throughout these descriptions to local maps and other relevant webpages.

Special note on Airdrie - Bathgate cycle path: Work to reinstate the Airdrie to Bathgate railway line will mean the temporary closure and diversion of much of the Airdrie - Bathgate cycle path. This is likely to commence from the end of July 2008, and not later than the end of October 2008.

North East

South East

North West

South West

Within City

Comments on these routes are always welcome. If you would like to provide feedback on any of these routes then please email your comments.

For details of the National Cycle Network see Sustrans, which includes detailed route mapping. For details of other main cycle routes in the Glasgow area see Scottish Canals. Of the local council websites, only North Lanarkshire (see SMARTways map) and Argyll & Bute have any information on cycle routes available at present, although further afield Fife and South Ayrshire do too. See also Ayrshire Paths for cycle routes throughout Ayrshire.

More suggested cycle routes are available courtesy of Edinburgh Bicycle Cooperative, Bikely (Glasgow area Routes), Cycle Route (Scottish Routes), North Lanarkshire Council and Short Scottish Cycle Runs, around Ayrshire at Bike Routes in SW Scotland, while for the Borders and Lothians see Cycle Routes - SE Scotland & NE England. If that isn't enough, see Long distance bicycle touring in the UK.

For online cycle route mapping see Sustrans.

Website by Andy Preece Web Design