Published: 19th JULY 2019

National Cycle Network paths launched on OS Maps

We’re excited to announce that walking and cycling paths on the National Cycle Network will now be available on the official Ordnance Survey map.

Three children on bikes on a traffic-free path of the National Cycle Network. Their grown up cycles behind. The path is surrounded by trees in full leaf. It is a warm, bright, sunny day.

Our new partnership with the mapping experts Ordnance Survey (OS) will help more people to discover and access the Network.

We have joined forces to provide detailed, user-friendly and accurate information on the Network’s 16,575-miles of traffic-free and quiet on-road cycling and walking routes spanning the whole of the UK.

This information will be available as a free layer on the OS Maps website and will help more people to discover routes in their local area and plan weekend trips away.

Each year, around 4.4 million people use the Network, for leisure, commuting and the school run. In 2017, there were 410 million walking trips and 377 million cycling trips on the Network.

The data also showed that around the UK, more than half of the population live a mile or less from the network.

We are confident the data will help greater numbers of people access more of the UK and enjoy the benefits of OS Maps.

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We are delighted to be partnering with Ordnance Survey to open up walking and cycling on the National Cycle Network to more people. Blockquote quotation marks
Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans

Speaking about the partnership, Xavier Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Ordnance Survey to open up walking and cycling on the National Cycle Network to more people.

"The Network is a well-loved, well-used asset that’s enjoyed by millions of people across the UK every year.

"Our work with OS is one of the first steps in helping us improve the user experience and create more accessible paths for everyone.

"We hope the new maps inspire more people to get out, discover and explore all that the Network has to offer – whether that’s on wheels or by foot, for commuting or leisure purposes."

Nick Giles, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey Leisure, said: “It’s great that we’ll be able to provide cyclists and walkers with the amazing benefits of OS Maps and open up the National Cycle Network to so many people.

"We love the focus Sustrans has on making the outdoors more accessible no matter where they live, what age they are and what background they’re from.

"OS Maps users will also love the new layer to help them find new cycle routes and explore more on two wheels.”

The OS map can also be accessed through our newly launched website, which offers a simple way to search for routes on the Network.

Find out more about the National Cycle Network.

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