We are just starting 2 years of town centre roadworks in Farnham in Spring 2025 and using a pushbike it is likely to be quicker than driving as you won't get stuck in the jams and you can usually park your bike very close to your town centre destination e.g. shop/cafe, removing the walk from one of the car parks.
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Parking a bike is free unlike a car, and it also removes the stress of having to rush back to the car before the parking voucher runs out.
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There are many quiet roads that you can use to get around town and you can plan your route on free website cycle.travel.
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Sample journey times:
Castle Street to Six Bells Pub 6 minutes by pushbike (22 mins to walk, each way).
Sainsbury's South Street to Bourne Green 6 minutes by ebike.
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So with all these reasons to cycle...
Give it a go!
even if you try it just once!
There is further assistance below.
Give it a go!
1. Dust off your bike (or treat yourself to a new one!)
Dr Bike
We’re offering free checks and adjustments to get your bike on the road again (though we may refer you to a bike shop if repairs are too major). No need to book, just bring your bike along.
Bikestart will be at the Sustainability Festival on Gostrey Meadow on Sunday 18th May from 11am to 4pm and
Hoops Velo will be on Gostrey Meadow 11am to 3pm on Saturdays 14th June and 12th July.
Or just take your bike to Halfords in Farnham anytime when they are open for a free checkup.
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Hoops Velo
Located at Unit E Grovebell Industrial Est Wrecclesham Road Wrecclesham Farnham Surrey GU10 4PL.
Bicycles, electric bikes, accessories, and professional bike fitting services and a comprehensive repair and maintenance services. Phone 01252 448836 or email Sales@hoopsvelo.com
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Halfords
Situated at Unit B, Farnham Retail Park, Guildford Road, Farnham, GU9 9QJ.
A selection of bikes, electric bikes, parts, and accessories. Bike repairs, fittings, and free bike health checks to ensure your bicycle is in optimal condition.
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Bikestart
Alison's Road, Aldershot GU11 2BU Mondays and Thursdays 07596 564428
Run by volunteers with all profits going to a registered charity. They repair bikes and also collect surplus bikes, repair them and sell them at affordable prices.
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2. Build your confidence
Surrey County Council offers a range of cycle training for beginners and improvers, adults and children.
· Learn to ride
· Parent and teen
· Adult cycle confidence - Introduction to cycling on roads
· Adult town centre cycle confidence
· Bikeability holiday courses
Sign up at https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/road-safety/cycle-training
Good places to practice locally include the Family Trail at Alice Holt Forest. They have bike hire options too!
We can sometimes offer bike buddies to cycle with you, especially if it’s going to be a regular ride. We give informal advice on road techniques, equipment and more. Get in touch with the Farnham Cycle Campaign at farnhamcyclecampaign@gmail.com
3. Try out an electric bike
If you’re 14 years old or above, why not try our electric bike for free. Details and booking here: https://www.farnhamcyclecampaign.org.uk/elane-page
4. Plan your route
While there aren’t many dedicated cycle tracks, there are lots of quiet routes into and around town, avoiding the main roads and the roadworks.
Online platforms like Cycle.Travel or Komoot offer curated lists of cycling routes around Farnham, catering to various skill levels and preferences. These routes showcase the natural beauty and historical landmarks of the area, providing you with a range of options for exploration.
Maps of bridleways etc can be found by visiting the website for Open Street Map using a mobile phone.
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5. Where to park your bike
A full list can be found by opening the Open Sreet Maps page on your mobile phone and looking for the blue bicycle symbols (sometimes these appear as blue squares). There is a 'cycle layer' on the menus to show you official cycle routes.
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6. How to protect your bike
We are arranging some FREE sessions with South West Railways to mark and add your machine to the naional Bike Register. This is the main database that the police check when they find a stash of stolen bikes, and it enables them to return your bike to you. The sessions will take place at Farnham station during Community Rail Week, 19th to 25th May 2024. Watch this space for more details.
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One of the best affordable locks now has a £25 discount while stocks last. The Litelok One is avaible to order online.
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7. Want to go further?
National Cycle Route 22 runs from Banstead to Brockenhurst, passing through Farnham. It offers cyclists a scenic journey connecting various towns and landscapes, making it a popular choice for both long-distance and leisure riders.
Christmas Pie Trail: An 8.5-mile leisure trail starting from the northwest edge of Guildford and ending at the east side of Farnham. The trail traverses country paths and quiet lanes, providing a pleasant cycling experience through the Surrey countryside. Note that it’s very muddy after rain.
Surrey County Council Cycle Network: The council provides a map detailing the County’s very patchy cycle facilities and infrastructure. This is occasionally useful for planning cycling journeys within and beyond Farnham.
8. Local cycling clubs
There’s a detailed list on the homepage of our website.
9. Join the Farnham Cycle Campaign
For advice, support or just a good chinwag, why not join us? We support cyclists and cycling in Farnham whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just starting out. We meet on the 3rd Monday of every month at 7.30pm in the back room of the Hop Blossom Public House.
