Cycling

Sunderland is well served with well maintained cycle paths, which take you from the outer reaches of Sunderland into the heart of the city and along it's magnificent coastline. Taking you through woodland, riverside and coast to a vibrant city centre and joining up so many of Sunderland's attractions. Cycling Sunderland is one of the best and easiest ways to get around.

Roker beach is home to the end of the Coast to Coast or Sea to Sea (C2C) route, that begins in Whitehaven in Cumbria and ends at Roker. However don't forget that you have not officially ended your ride until you dip your front wheel in the North Sea at the 'C' sculpture at Roker beach.
Find out more about the C2C route.

The Three Rivers Cycle Route travels through contrasting landscapes and past some of the most iconic sights and attractions in the North East. Numbered as National Route 14, blue signposts will guide you along its snaking 80 miles (129km) between Middlesbrough and South Shields. You'll move along a host of interesting alternative routes including the C2C sculpture trail and the Three Rivers Cycleway between Sunderland and South Shields which passes Souter Lighthouse.

Ride the cycle paths along the River Wear for 15 miles from Roker beach to Beamish and see many of Sunderland's attractions and landmarks, including St. Peter's Church, National Glass Centre, Stadium of Light and Washington Wetland Centre.

Our many parks and greenspaces have wide traffic-free cycle paths, including Hetton Lyons Country Park and Herrington Country Park, where you can take a leisurely ride past the boating lake and hop off your bike to feed the swans or take the family for a safe and accessible cycle ride around Barnes Park and enjoy the play areas or take a pit stop at the cafe.

Sunderland Young People's Bike Project (SYPBP) is also a community-based cycle project based in Thompson Park, Fulwell, working throughout the city of Sunderland delivering educational and leisure-based cycling activities and services in Sunderland. In addition to this, Sunderland Community Action Group, formed in 2015  in response to local demand for youth and community services in Sunderland, offer offers free cycle maintenance, bespoke servicing, cycle hire, ride cycle support, group rides as-well as fishing sessions for groups through St Peter's Cycle and Sports club.

If you're already a keen cylist, you can earn rewards for your active and sustainable travel. BetterPoints Sunderland is a rewards programme for ditching the car and making more active and sustainable travel choices. Residents and commuters to Sunderland can download the free BetterPoints app, track sustainable and active journeys to earn BetterPoints, and BetterTickets to win prizes. BetterPoints can then be redeemed for a whole host of retail vouchers or donated to charities. Click here to find out more.

Travel sustainably around our city with the option of parking your bike at a Metro or bus station or ferry landing. You'll find information about the number, type and location of cycle racks, pods or lockers. Simply leave your bike securely locked at one of the cycle racks, pods or lockers and continue with your journey by Metro, bus or ferry. Click here for more information on the Nexus website. There is free secure indoor city centre cycle parking at St Mary's Car Park, visit the attendant on the ground floor for access.

There is also free cycle parking via ParkThatBike for Businesses and organisations based anywhere in Sunderland, Washington, Houghton or Hetton can apply for free cycle racks and storage to be installed within their premises, apply online now.

For further information on cycling routes visit here.