Active Travel Buddy Rides
If you work and stay in or around the Livingston area we can offer to plan a route to cycle to work, and if need be buddy you to show you the way. We try as far as possible to use traffic free quiet routes. Contact us if interested.
The places around Livingston include Broxburn, Bathgate, Blackburn, Seafield, Kirknewton, East Calder, West Calder.
How to become a Bike Buddy
Cycling to Work
It
should be possible to cycle from anywhere in Livingston to any
workplace in about 20 minutes, and in many instances may be quicker (and
cheaper) than driving. Why every day should be a cycle to work day
In 1987 legislation was passed to enable the footpaths in Livingston to be used for cycling except at identified footbridges where cycling is prohibited for safety reasons (source; Leaflet entitled Cycle Routes in Livingston published in 1988 by Lothian Regional Council)
Cycling in Livingston
In 1987 legislation was passed to enable the footpaths in Livingston to be used for cycling except at identified footbridges where cycling is prohibited for safety reasons (source; Leaflet entitled Cycle Routes in Livingston published in 1988 by Lothian Regional Council)
Livingston has 144mls (230km) of traffic free walking and cycling routes (source: Spokes 2018 West Lothian Cycle Map).
Thanks to these routes, it is possible to get to virtually any point in
Livingston without having to cycle on any road. The routes are well
signed and offer an opportunity to travel to local facilities safely and
quickly by bike and to discover a Livingston that is mostly hidden to
car travellers. National Cycle Network route 75 (Edinburgh - Glasgow)
runs through West Lothian (Blackridge, Armadale, Bathgate, Livingston,
Kirknewton). This route forms the main route in Livingston. The
Livingston path network spreads off and to it.
Barriers
- I will look silly
- I may not be able to keep it up
- I am not fit enough
- I do not know a route
- Busy roads, fear of traffic
Why Walk, Why cycle ?
- Feel good and have fun - walking and cycling (especially
with friends) is a great way to relax and have fun, and on top of that
you will be as fit as someone 10 years younger!
- Stay Healthy - you
can reduce the likelihood of many conditions including coronary heart
disease, diabetes and cancer by exercising regularly, as well as
reducing the risk of becoming overweight.
- Spend money on you instead of your car - in
addition to the price of fuel, did you know the average cost of
maintaining a car each year is £273, compared with just £75 for a bike,
and feet are free to use!
- Feel less stressed - regular exercise such as walking and cycling reduces stress and anxiety. A regular short ride can increase your general fitness due to the regularity and not distance.
- Arrive fashionably early - walking
and cycling in towns and cities is quicker than car travel, and you
won’t need to worry about double yellow lines when you get to your
destination.
- Be kind to the environment - you
are the ultimate source of renewable energy! Did you know that 2kg of
carbon are saved for every short journey that is made on foot or by
bike, instead of in a car
How to start cycling to work
- Can I cycle that far?
- I don't feel confident cycling on busy roads.
- My bike isn't in great condition.
- Won't I arrive at work hot and bothered? Or drenched by the rain?
- How do I keep my bike safe?
- Be prepared.
- Staying fresh.
- Take it at your own pace.
- Be road confident.
- Winter commuting.
- "Combined" commuting
Cycle Streets Journey Planner
Maps. Me Phone App. Uses the phone GPS. Works offline without mobile data use and where there is no phone signal.
Bike User Groups - Scotbug
Support for workplace active travel - Way to Work
If you cycle on a regular basis - say a daily commute or to the
shops - you'll enjoy a fitness level of a person 10 years younger... So
trade in your gym subscription and forget the scare stories ; the health
benefits of cycling significantly outweigh the risks on British roads.
From Which July 2005.
