Do you want to Build Back Greener? Reduce your carbon footprint by swapping to walking and cycling around Bideford. Bideford is situated on National Cycle Routes 3 and 27 which follow the cycle path section of the Tarka Trail. From Bideford you can enjoy 30 miles of traffic-free cycling: south to Meeth via Great Torrington, or north to Braunton via Barnstaple.
Start your journey by hiring a bike from Bideford Bicycle Hire in East-the-Water. Continue your journey by buying your own bicycle from Cycles Scuderia in Kingsley Road.
Photo: David Smith https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6556121
Bideford Bicycle Hire
Situated in North Devon’s picturesque Tarka country, Bideford Bicycle Hire is the perfect place to hire a bicycle to explore the 34 mile traffic free Tarka Trail cycle route. Our bike depot is situated in the middle of the cycle trail offering you the choice of cycling south towards Torrington and Meeth or North to Barnstaple then onto Braunton. Either route offers a flat traffic free tarmac path allowing you the opportunity to take in the wonderful countryside views Devon is so famed for and enjoy some of the great local produce from one of the many pubs or cafes along the route.
https://www.bidefordbicyclehire.co.uk/
Bideford Bicycle Hire Torrington Street, East the water, Bideford EX39 4DR
Cycles Scuderia
Starting in February 2012 we have always had a keen eye on the road market. Our background from the guys here now and everyone in between has always been on the road bikes.
Another massive part of living local to Bideford means the use of the Tarka Trail. Hybrid bikes and Electric bikes have a massive part to play in what we do! A range of both carried from Ridgeback, again a British company, and Orbea based in Spain cover us on that front.
Cycles Scuderia, Invicta House, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2PF
Bideford BMX Club
Bideford BMX Club has been running since the early 80’s and is the only remaining club in North Devon, offering years of racing experience and coaching. Training is offered to experts and beginners with ages running from 4 to 50+. We are ‘Go-ride’ registered and working towards becoming ‘club mark’ accredited. Being ‘go-ride’ means the club has achieved certain criteria set out by British Cycling relating to coaching and governance
Bideford BMX Club nr Pollyfields Centre, Avon Road, East-the-Water, Bideford EX39 4BL
Bideford Sustainability Group
The official aims and objectives for the group are:
- To help Bideford and its surrounding area become more resilient.
- To involve and support the community in local projects such as: growing and producing food, energy production and skill sharing.
- To promote sustainable living, learning and information sharing.
- To build a stronger community spirit by the above means.
Youth Strike 4 Climate, Bideford
The world is finally waking up. Millions of young people are realising it’s now or never and are looking to take direct action on the climate crisis.
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/YS4C.bideford/ (190)
Northern Devon Cycling Campaign
Supporting cycling and walking infrastructure in Northern Devon to benefit locals and tourists wellbeing, healthy travel and our local environment
https://www.facebook.com/NDCyclingCampaign (295)
Bideford Railway Heritage Centre
Bideford Railway Heritage Centre manages the Bideford station site and Instow signal box, both of which are on the former railway line from Barnstaple to Bideford in north Devon. The old railway line is now part of the popular Tarka Trail and so our two sites provide points of interest to cyclists and walkers alike, as well as to the more general visitor. In particular there are a visitor centre, interactive interpretation centre and cafe at Bideford station.
https://www.bidefordrailway.co.uk/
Bideford Town Council
Several sections of disused railway line have been utilised to create the trail. These have the benefit of being relatively flat, with only small uphill and downhill gradients. The paths also run across many former railway bridges, which command notable views over various rivers and valleys. A number of the stations on the route have been restored or rebuilt.
https://www.bideford-tc.gov.uk/visitor-info-our-neighbours/around-bideford/tarka-trail
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap is built by a community of mappers that contribute and maintain data about roads, trails, cafés, railway stations, and much more, all over the world.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/51.0107/-4.2099&layers=C
Tarka Trail
Bideford, known locally as ‘The little white town’ is an attractive town on the west bank of the River Torridge, where the river begins to widen to form the estuary. The old road has a lovely bridge crossing the Torridge, linking the town of Bideford to its neighbouring village East the Water. The bridge features in the town’s Heritage Trail which takes you on a guided, historical tour of the town.
Bideford is a bustling market town with cafes, arts and crafts shops, vintage and antique shops and plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs for refreshment. At the north end of the town is a Bicclescombe Park, which is a Victorian park with an excellent children’s play area, sports facilities, skate-park, outdoor paddling pool and cafe. Opposite the park is a permanently moored boat that has been converted into a cafe.
https://www.tarkatrail.org.uk/visiting/get-inspired/bideford/
Sustrans
We're the charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. The work we're doing is creating healthier places and happier people.
Our society faces some profound challenges. From climate change and air pollution to physical and mental health crises, the pressures on communities across our four nations are growing. There is no silver bullet but the work of Sustrans and our partners provides an essential contribution to tackling the challenges of our time.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/tarka-trail/
