Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland
Go to online mappingNational Cycle Network
There are now over 1000 miles of National Cycle Network across Northern Ireland, many of which link to the Republic. Belfast has an expanding network of greenways with the Lagan and Lough Cycle Way and Comber Greenway, which provides a great community resource for walking and cycling. There are other memorable traffic-free greenways throughout the region linked by a network of minor rural roads for touring. We continue to expand and improve the Network. In Northern Ireland there are six long distance rides complete with route maps. Information on National routes in Northern Ireland, and some recommended rides, can be found in the Easy Rides section and for free leaflets available visit here.
Connect2
Several Connect2 schemes are underway in Northern Ireland. When completed, there will be new crossings of rivers, roads and railways linking into networks of walking and cycling routes, enabling people to make everyday journeys on foot and bike that are currently impossible. To find out more about the schemes in Northern Ireland visit Connect2 schemes.
Volunteers
Our volunteers are our eyes and ears in communities. Throughout Northern Ireland more than 100 people give their free time to support Sustrans. Many maintain and sign the Network to enable as many people as possible to use it, others champion our efforts within workplaces, and others help the charity to be more sustainable by holding fundraising events and manning Sustrans stalls. Visit our volunteering opportunities page for more info.
School travel
Sustrans in Northern Ireland recently piloted a new approach enabling children to walk and cycle more in rural areas by working on a range of initiatives with 18 rural schools throughout the country with great results. Download the summary report on this project. We would like to expand this work which now depends on funding becoming available.
Bike It
We know that the vast majority of children in Northern Ireland want to cycle to school, yet only 2% actually do. Sustrans has stepped in to sort this out with Bike It, a ground-breaking project which has already tripled the number of children cycling to its target schools. In Greater Belfast we are working with twelve schools each year to overcome barriers to walking and cycling and create a positive cycling culture which continues long after we have left. Download a copy of the Spring 2011 Belfast Bike It newsletter.
Active Travel
In a first for Ireland, thousands of people in Derry/Londonderry benefited from Sustrans' TravelSmart programme. TravelSmart works by offering people travel advice on their own doorsteps, helping them find their local bike paths, bus and train stops, and proving that it’s often quicker (and usually cheaper) to leave the car at home for short local journeys. For more infomation visit the Derry City Council Travlesmart page.
Policy
Sustrans do a range of policy work to ensure the NI Assembly deliver policies and projects that deliver improvements for walking and cycling.
Art and Landscape
There are many artworks to be found along the National Cycle Network. We aim to increase access to the arts as an imaginative and inspiring way to explore wider aspects of the human experience, and attract people to try walking and cycling.
Visit our news page to keep up to date with our work in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.