National Cycle Network app
The new Android app is now available to download from the Android Market.
Sustrans has now the released 'The complete National Cycle Network' app with which you can access over 25,000 miles of walking and cycling network across the UK, anytime anywhere. The free app is available to download from Android Market and the iTunes store and marks the first time the National Cycle Network has become available for mobile phones. Sustrans has created the app from their OS based online mapping facility and it has been specifically designed to help people make more of their everyday journeys on foot or by bike.
Download from the Android market: The Complete National Cycle Network.
Download from the iTunes store: The Complete National Cycle Network.
What the app offers
It includes 25,000 miles of route - including all 13,000 miles of award winning National Cycle Network and a further 12,000 miles of regional and local routes and links. Whether it is for picking your way through an urban metropolis to work, winding through the countryside for leisure, finding a traffic-free route to school, a challenging bike ride or a fun family day out, 'The Complete National Cycle Network' app has something for everyone.
All routes have been assessed and approved to be included in the mapping and are shown at a 1:10000 scale. It integrates with the public transport network and provides links to the Transport Direct journey planning website, making it easier to get bus and train updates from any location so you can plan longer journeys. The app also recommends routes for easy local travel as well as more long distance ones for leisure walks and rides.
The latest route developments and additions to the Network will be updated fortnightly and you can plan and save routes or share them with your friends. You can also record and keep a GPS track of your route as you walk or ride along and centre the map on your current location.
As well as a great travel tool, the app is also fantastic for everyday use to find out what your local area has to offer. The mapping highlights local grocery shops, schools, libraries, museums, sports centres and other local amenities, along with leisure attractions, places of interest and information on car clubs, bike shops and public transport. It also has a direct link to the Sustrans website where you can check out events, the latest sustainable transport news, and local walking, cycling and neighbourhood projects in your area.
The Complete National Cycle Network app FAQs
1. Will it be available for Blackberry as well as iPhone and Android?
Blackberry users can access the Sustrans website and online mapping. There are currently no plans to give more advanced access to Blackberry users.
2. Do users look at maps and work out their own route or can you input your current location and use postcode or pin to request a route?
This app is not a routing engine or journey planner. It uses the same mapping we have on our website - but it also recommends rides, has GPS tracking, map centering, and the updates on route development. The Bike Hub offer a free route planning app which could be used for this purpose. This is also available to download from iTunes or Android Market.
3. What information is held on bike shops?
We display Association of Cycle Traders shops including name of store, location and link to their webpage.
4. Why aren't you charging for the app - Wouldn't this raise some revenue?
We want to encourage people to use the app and make more people aware of their local transport choices and the National Cycle Network, and a charge for downloading this app may discourage people from using it as there are other free mapping apps available. Also the revenue we would generate would be quite minimal compared to the opportunity to reach out to a wider audience and be a part of that marketplace, with something new to offer.
This app has been funded by the Scottish Government although we have put a small amount towards developing it. A specific grant was given to us to create this app and this is a different type of funding to the donations we receive from supporters, which we can use more widely to fund all aspects of our work.
'The complete National Cycle Network' app has been created by Isomaly and has been funded by the Scottish Government and Sustrans.