Cycling in Aberdeen
Information on how ACC is working to help cyclists travel to work, visit and enjoy cycling in Aberdeen. Cycling is a form of transport that nearly everyone can take advantage of and is:
- Enjoyable, Affordable and Fun
- Healthy
- Congesting beating
- Good for the environment
The Council has policies and targets that strive to meet 5 objectives -
- Maximise cycling's role for short journeys.
- Develop safe, convenient, efficient infrastructure.
- Increase cycling for leisure, tourism and recreation.
- Integrate policies for cycling into Council strategies.
- Set policies and other means of meeting cycling targets.
This includes the development of a Cycle Network, reducing casualties, education and awareness raising campaigns, increasing cycling to school, safety audits, use of developer contributions towards cycling and encouraging employers to become cycle-friendly with staff incentives to cycle to work.
Aberdeen Cycle Map
The Aberdeen Cycle Map was updated in 2005. It shows existing cycle facilities such as cycle lanes, as well as cycle shops, places to lock bikes, recommended quiet routes and recreational routes around the City. The map is available in The Point, Broad Street, Aberdeen, City libraries and most public Council buildings. If you are having problems finding a copy, please get in contact.
Cycle Parking in Aberdeen
On street cycle parking facilities have been provided throughout the City. Please get in contact if you have a suggestion for a new site.
Cycle Theft
Following these basic security rules can guard against losing your bike:
- Use a good lock
- Always lock your bike when leaving it, even for a few minutes
- Secure your bike to proper cycle stands, or robust street furniture where this will not cause an obstruction
- Lock your bike through both wheels and frame if possible
- Take off accessories that can't be locked to your bike
If you are unfortunate enough to have your cycle stolen giving the police a good description can greatly increase your chances of getting it back. A good way of doing this is to keep a written record of the bike's details, so that, should the day come, you are not struggling to remember things like the make of tyres or the frame number. Grampian Police have produced a 'Bike Passport', simply fill it in, keep it in a safe place and should the worst happen you will have all the details to hand.
Cycling Safely
- Remember that you have the same right to be on the road as any other user
- Look around and signal clearly before any manoeuvre
- Position yourself well on the road, ride clear of the kerb and parked cars, making you more visible
- When is slow moving traffic and near junctions position yourself in the middle of the lane, so that people can see you and allows you to manoeuvre more easily
- Assume that other road users won't indicate their manoeuvre, won't stop at red lights and even with eye contact you might not have been noticed
- Trucks and large vehicles have a blind spot down both sides of their vehicle, that when they turn left might not see you, so keep a safe distance behind
- Be considerate to pedestrians and other road users, don't cycle thru' red lights or pedestrian crossings,don't cycle on the pavements or the wrong way up 1-way streets (unless signed to do so)
- Think ahead - be careful at junctions, bends, entrances, obstructions & avoid braking sharply in wet conditions
- See and be seen - wear bright and reflective clothing and in poor visibility use your lights
Before setting off
- Check for worn brake blocks or disc pads, bald or soft tyres, bent or missing spokes and the bell and lights are working
- Lights should, at a minimum, a white front light and a red rear light plus a red rear reflector. Bikes made after 1990 should have reflectors in the pedals and on the wheels
- You are allowed to flash, but you must flash at least 1 a second and no more than 4 times per second, whether with your rear red light or your white/green/orange front light
On Shared Paths
- Give way to pedestrians and leave plenty of room for them to pass
- Let pedestrians know you are there. Some people may be hard of hearing or have sight impairments
- Be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary
Cycle Training
For Adults
Company Training - The Aberdeen Cycle Forum and Cyclists' Touring Club now offer cycle training courses for businesses or organisations within Aberdeen. If you would like to get training for you and your colleagues please contact Aberdeen Cycle Forum. (See Related Links)
Try Cycling - The Aberdeen Cycle Forum and the Cyclists' Touring Club also offer free guided cycle rides on a mixture of roads and cycle paths for individuals. The rides are led by experienced cycle leaders and are aimed at beginners or those who have not been in the saddle for a while. They normally take under 3 hours and meet by the pond in Duthie Park off Riverside Drive every Sunday at 10am. (See Related Links)
For Children
Training for primary schools is currently provided by Grampian Police. If you would like training for your primary school then please contact: Police Road Safety Office, Grampian Police, Queen Street, Aberdeen AB10 1ZA. (See Related Links)
Aberdeen Cycle Forum
ACF is a voluntary group encouraging and developing cycling within Aberdeen. The ACF aim to:
- Promote cycling as part of a sustainable transport strategy for Aberdeen
- Campaign for improved cycle facilities and a safer cycling environment in Aberdeen
- Promote the benefits of cycling as enjoyable, healthy, cheap, efficient and non-polluting way of getting round Aberdeen
New Cycle Facilities
Aberdeen City Council currently work with Sustrans and Nestrans to implement improved cycle infrastructure around Aberdeen. Current projects include:
- Aberdeen to Westhill Cycle Path
- Upgrade of the Old Deeside Railway to Peterculter
- River Don Improvements
- Upgrade to the National Cycle Network (Route 1) through Aberdeen
If you would like further information on any of these projects, or you are a cyclist that has an idea that would assist your journey to work, or a new recreational route, please get in contact.
Powered Two Wheeled Vehicles (PTW) or Electric-Assist Bicycles
There are many people who may want and need a bit of electric assistance, whether through inclination, age or physical frailty, or a need to ride quickly to work without needing to shower and change.
Electric bikes have a small electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery to help propel machine and rider. They can be good for hills, for hurrying to work without arriving hot and sweaty, and for carrying a lot of luggage. The motors are intended to assist pedalling, not to replace it. At present most models have a power-assisted range of about 20 miles. Many models feature removable batteries that can be easily recharged during the working day - assuming your workplace can provide a spare power socket.
Electric cycles, like pedal-only cycles, are relatively light and slow-moving vehicles that pose little danger to pedestrians. Electric cycles cannot provide power over 25kph (or 15mph) and electric cycles are true pedal cycles under the law:
- right to ride, i.e. no tests or licensing;
- no need for specialist clothing;
- train operators carry bicycles, enabling effective mixed mode travel;
- right to use cycle and bus lanes.
In the UK, riders must be at least 14 years of age.
Electric cycles are classed as pedal cycles provided they conform to the pedelec definition (motor power output inversely related to speed, and power cut whenever the rider stops pedalling) and have a powered-assisted maximum speed no greater than 25kph (15mph, but you can pedal faster unassisted). They must also have average power output limited to 200W (250W for an electric tricycle or tandem) and weight limited to 40kg (60kg for a tricycle or tandem).
National Cycle Network (Route 1) Consultation
The Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) has been successful in attracting millions of additional cycle trips across the country. It has been responsible for increases in recreational, tourist and commuting cycle journeys.
The NCN (Route 1) through Aberdeen is predominantly on-road and runs from south of Cove Bay, along Greyhope Road, Market Street, Broad Street, Old Aberdeen, Persley Den, Mugiemoss Road, Stoneywood Road and onto the Formartine and Buchan Way. The purpose of the consultation was to outline an alternative to the current route which will could result in some 25km off-road pedestrian and cycle route through Aberdeen. There are several maps indicating the proposed route, as well as an information sheet containing further details on ACC's preferred route option. The NCN maps .pdfs are large and will take sometime to open. The Feasibility Study is available to see as a hard copy on the 8th floor of St. Nicholas House, Broad Street, Aberdeen.
Contact(s)
- Cycling in Aberdeen
Aberdeen City Council
Strategic Leadership
Planning and Infrastructure
8th Floor St Nicholas House
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1BW
Phone: 01224 523470
Fax: 01224 636181
Email: pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk
