About

Ely Cycling Campaign

We are campaigning for better cycle facilities in and around Ely and to promote cycling in the area.

Our aim is to improve the infrastructure and the cycling facilities for commuters, families and experienced cyclists by giving advice and suggestions to local councils and planning committees. We want to insure that future cycle facilities in Ely are as close to Dutch standards as possible and we want to educate council planners and officers on how useful cycling infrastructure should be designed.

As well as trying to improve the current infrastructure we want to show Ely residents that cycling in our city can be a very pleasant experience and a viable means to do the shopping, get to work, go to school and to get to the City’s cafés, restaurants and pubs.

We hope to organise regular bike rides and to invite everyone to explore the existing routes through Ely as well as longer rides to explore the nearby villages and countryside.

Everyone is welcome to join. We want to get as many people as possible to add their voice to the campaign.

Our goals

Large projects

  • Spine routes*: Fast and easy access from NSWE directions, possible candidates for example: Lynn Road, Downham Road, West Fen Road, Cambridge/ Witchford Road, Back Hill, Prickwillow Road.
    * Spine routes are main routes into and out of the City. They should meet standard for min. width etc.
  •  Complete the ring road: For example from near the A10 from Witchford Road to Downham Road, then along Cam Drive, Lynn Road, past the hospital to the possible new area, King’s Ave area, Cresswell Pits, along the river, station, Back Hill, Barton Road, Witchford Road
  • Bridges to the Isle: Routes to get out of Ely, especially over the A10, for example: Witchford, Coveney, Little Downham (connecting to the underpass at the leisure complex), NCR 11 over the A142 towards Soham
  • Be involved in any redesign of access to the station that happens if and when the southern relief road is built
  • Ensure the new leisure centre / swimming pool has adequate cycle access and parking if and when it is built

Medium projects

  • 20s plenty: 20 mph should be the default speed in Ely
  • Improved road design:
    • Remove traffic islands or replace with toucan crossings (e.g. Lynn Road & Cambridge Road are especially bad)
    • Widening of cycle lanes (2-2.5m)
    • Priority of cycle lanes at junctions with side roads
  • Two way cycling on one way streets
  • Improve driver awareness of cyclists for example through signs (Think Bike!) and leaflets
  • Create safe cycle routes to schools

Small projects

  • Repaint / resurface existing cycle lanes
  • Resurface roads and make cobbled speed humps smooth and even e.g. Back Hill, Silver Street
  • More cycle parking in the city centre and at the station
  • Improve sign-posting of the best cycle routes through Ely, for example for the existing part of the Ring Road or for the cycle route behind Ely College, Stour Green and into the city centre.