Overnight, new cycle lanes appear
In Cardiff, cycling has been gaining momentum over the past few years. The cycle lanes were mostly painted lines on the edge of the road, without much thought given to the actual cyclist. Often these lanes just came to a stop, as if the council/authorities had either run out of paint, or ideas. But with the pandemic, new routes sprung up, almost overnight. They’ve gained momentum with a planned network of bike lanes crisscrossing the city and in dedicated 2-way cycle lanes, with dedicated traffic lights. This feels like a 10 x improvement. That the city has finally decided to do what the authorities did in Amsterdam and Copenhagen.
Bringing the best of European Cycle Standards
At the moment, these bike lanes are relatively sparse, with only a handful of people cycling along them at any given time. I wonder though, how long it will take before cycling really takes off in Cardiff and the lanes become much more crowded and vibrant. Some might say that this could take years – it certainly did in other cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen – but I’m hopeful that cycling in Cardiff will soon gain the traction it deserves. After all, there are so many benefits to cycling: not only does it help you stay fit and keep healthy amidst all of this uncertainty, but riding a bike can be both economical and environmentally friendly too.
Take in the route out of Cardiff through Sophia Gardens
So if you are thinking about cycling in Cardiff, or you’re an experienced cyclist looking for a new route to try out, I’d definitely recommend the Taff Trail. Starting just outside the city centre and running all the way to Radyr, it is perfect for commuting or with the family as it follows the Taff Trail.
This is a reel showing the route, filmed in 2020.
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