Cycling in Cardiff

Cycling in Cardiff, capital of Wales, is facilitated by its easy gradients and large parks.

[3] However, cyclists in the city are deterred from cycling by poor facilities and aggressive traffic, according to research by Cardiff University.

[7] The council's Transport, Infrastructure and Waste service aims to ensure that an increase in cycling is matched with a reduction in the number of collisions involving cyclists.

Training covers the Highway Code, negotiating obstacles, turning left and right, emergency stops and basic cycle maintenance.

The 2007 update showed that 2.7% of people living in Cardiff cycled to work in 2001, an increase from 2.6% in 1991.

According to the Cardiff Cycle Map, these include: There are also lanes that cyclists share with buses, motorcycles and taxis, in which it is illegal to drive on in any other motor vehicle.

[15] Such lanes are on: Segregated cycle facilities can be a shared pavement with pedestrians, running alongside a road or through a park for example.

The scheme, which was part of a £28.5 million plan to encourage residents in the capital to use sustainable transport and ease congestion, was welcomed by campaigners.

[25] In June 2017 Nextbike was announced as the new provider of a public bike hire scheme for Cardiff.

In December 2023, Nextbike announced that they would pull out of Cardiff due to high rates of theft and vandalism.

[30] Cardiff Cycle Workshop, a bike workshop launched in July 2010 in Ely, refurbishes and repairs unwanted cycles, saving old bikes from the landfill and revitalises them for new owners at cheaper prices.

It will eventually link the city centre to the suburb of Lisvane, with connections to the University Hospital of Wales, Heath High Level railway station, and Heath Low Level railway station.

As of 2021, a section on Senghenydd Road had been completed, with construction under way on an extension to the University Hospital of Wales, costing £6,000,000.

[37] So far completed is the northern section through St Fagans, Fairwater and Ely, and the southern section running from Leckwith to the south along the River Ely through Grangetown, finishing at the Cardiff International Sports Village.

[45] The Cardiff Cycle Map shows the route running off-road from Llanedeyrn Interchange, bypassing Llanrumney to the west, briefly joining Newport Road (B4487), and then heading south of Rumney to Wentloog Avenue (B4239).

The 55-mile long Taff Trail runs from Cardiff Bay through Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil to Brecon,[46] forming part of the Lôn Las Cymru – the National Cycle Network Route 8 to Holyhead.

In 2010 it was announced a commuter route for cyclists would be installed, aiming to improve transport links between Penarth and Cardiff Bay.

[54] Cycles are also permitted free of charge on the wider national network provided they can be safely stored in the designated areas and reservations through the train operator are recommended.

[56] In September 2011 it was announced that Sustrans Cymru were launching a new project in Cardiff funded by the Wales Government.

This involved offering expert consultation to Cardiff householders to draw up personal travel plans, designed to reduce car journeys and encourage, amongst other things, increased use of bicycles.

[59] While it welcomes the Council's commitment to consider the needs of cyclists, it argues that these should not be marginal in relation to the management of cars and buses.

A sea-change in thinking is required and available Council funds need to be used imaginatively to create 'coherent and continuous routes' through the city for cyclists.

Campaigners cycled through Cardiff city centre during a rush hour period, accompanied by local councillors and a Welsh Assembly Member.

This is part of a globally coordinated World Naked Bike Ride, designed to highlight the vulnerability of cyclists on the road and campaign for better cycling facilities.