Welcome to Preston
Preston is a great place to cycle, and in this Guild Year there are even more opportunities to get out and about on your bike in the area.
This year Preston – European City of Sport – is hosting a big Sky Ride City event, a series of friendly neighbourhood Sky Ride Local rides, Breeze bike rides for women, and more. They’re all free to join, and it’s easy to register.
Join us for a fantastic traffic-free bike ride through Preston where everyone's invited.
Sky Ride Local rides are fun, free community bike rides that offer a great way of getting out and exploring your local area and meeting like-minded people.
The Breeze network from British Cycling is all about fun, local bike rides for women, by women – and there’s a whole range of support and training too.
The Breeze network from British Cycling is looking for more inspirational Breeze champions. You don't have to be an expert cyclist, just enthusiastic and enjoy riding your bike! Our one day course will provide you with all the leadership skills you need to help get more women on a bike!
Clubs
British Cycling can help you to find a club that’s right for you. Use the club finder link to find a club near you. There are some great cycling clubs and groups in Preston and the surrounding area who welcome new and novice cyclists to come along and ride with them, including:
Facilities
There are a range of great facilities in Preston and the surrounding area which are ideal for all kinds of cycling.
Closed road circuit: UCLAN Sports Arena has a closed road circuit open to all. The 1.5km track is a great place to try out track cycling.
BMX track: Preston BMX track is located at Fishwick Recreation Ground and can be accessed via the Preston Pirates BMX Club.
Guild Wheel: a 21 mile walkway and cycleway that encircles Preston, linking the city to the countryside and bringing the benefits of a beautiful outdoor space to the city and due to open in August 2012.
Support
Cycling for all
Inclusive disability cycling is going from strength to strength in Preston. Cycling Projects is a national charity involved in a cycling for health schemes and the fantastic Wheels for All scheme. British Cycling is a big Cycling Projects supporter. For a warm welcome, adaptive bikes, and training, check out the Cycling Projects website.
Cycling to work
Lancashire County Council are running a pilot programme providing commuter cycle courses to encourage people who usually travel by car to work, college and training to get on their bikes.
Download Free Cycle Commuting to Work Leaflet to found out more information or email sustainabletravel@lancashire.gov.uk.
Where to ride
There's never been a better time to cycle in Preston. British Cycling is working with Preston City Council to promote cycling opportunities in the area and encourage more people to ride their bikes to work, to school, and for fun.
Preston celebrates 2012
Preston’s once-in-a-decade Guild celebrations return in 2012 and this year a major legacy project is the creation of the Guild Wheel, a 21-mile cycleway which encircles the city. Find out more.
This year Preston has also been awarded ‘European City of Sport’ (ECOS) status. This designation and its connection with Preston Guild will enable a wealth of activity to take place in 2012, encouraging greater participation and ultimately a more healthy population.
There are some great places to ride in Preston and the surrounding area. British Cycling’s guide to the North West is a good place to start. Preston Council also offer an extensive list of local cycle tracks.
