Tips for cycling in York...

[Andy in Germany]

Next week I'm visiting parents in York with Beautiful Daughter, who is eight years old, and will be coming to the UK for the first time.

I'm keen to show her around the city; is there anywhere that possibly rents bicycles for children vaguely locally? How safe is it for cycling with children? She's fairly traffic savvy although having vehicles coming on the other side of the road may take getting used to.

She's also very active and insatiably curious, so it's going to be a challenge keeping her occupied. I've already found several playgrounds within walking distance, and Grandma, a former kindergarten teacher, has found activities in the city, but any suggestions are welcome...

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’d say you might find cycling frustrating given volume of tourists. You might like to do a walking tour of the snickleways of York.

http://snickelways.co.uk/

Mark’s guide is excellent, which I bought in 84 when a student at the University of York.

Amazon product ASIN 1871125774View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1871125774/ref=olp-opf-redir?aod=1

 

[Ming the Merciless]

There is the Solar System traffic free cycleway between York and Selby having said that.

https://www.york.ac.uk/physics-engineering-technology/outreach/astrocampus/cycle-solar-system/

 

[Ming the Merciless]

She might enjoy the Jorvik museum as well. Especially if they still do the smell effects.

 

[Venod]

There is the Solar System traffic free cycleway between York and Selby having said that.

I cycled down there on Thursday, they have flattened out the roots which were beginning to make the path a bumpy ride, an excellent route which can be reached from the city center by cycle paths.
http://www.hedgehogcycling.co.uk/york-to-selby-cycle-route.html

 

[geocycle]

National railway museum, snickleways and walk round the walls are good free options. Yorkshire museum has good Roman collection and in pleasant park. Cycling into the city is possible but not what you are used to in Germany. Bus services are relatively good for uk. Check what is on at the theatre for kids.

 

[ColinJ]

I cycled down there on Thursday, they have flattened out the roots which were beginning to make the path a bumpy ride, an excellent route which can be reached from the city center by cycle paths.
http://www.hedgehogcycling.co.uk/york-to-selby-cycle-route.html

I was just about to mention that path and those roots. It is good that they have been seen to for now, though I am sure that they will reappear eventually.

 

[classic33]

Alongside the river, down to the Millennium Bridge.
Maybe MoonBunny can get you VIP entry into the NRM.

 

[Jameshow]

Some lovely flat lanes to the east of York.. stockton in the forest...

 

[wiggydiggy]

You can actually get fined for cycling in York in the none cycling areas, I was stopped there a few years back by a street warden. Let me off with a warning luckily.

Its known as the pedestrian zone, map here.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Cycle Heaven next to the Train Station in York rents bikes out but I dont know if they do kids ones?. You could contact them and ask? York has a lot of cycle lanes. Its nice down by the river yoiu can ride on the cycle path towards Selby from there. Its very relaxed and nice.
Obviously it depends on what your daughter likes but I personally wouldnt drag an 8 years old girl to the National Railway Museum unless it was very much her type of thing.

 

[Andy in Germany]

You can actually get fined for cycling in York in the none cycling areas, I was stopped there a few years back by a street warden. Let me off with a warning luckily.

Its known as the pedestrian zone, map here.

I've cycled around most of those streets early in the morning. Last time I think it was okay until 10:00.

 

[annedonnelly]

There used to be a bike recycling place in York similar to the one you run @Andy in Germany. If that's till around it might be a source of a cheap kid's bike that you could donate back at the end of your holiday.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Alongside the river, down to the Millennium Bridge.
Maybe MoonBunny can get you VIP entry into the NRM.

I rode that way a lot on previous visits; it's a lovely ride early in the morning when there's not much traffic. Unfortunately my parents gave both of their bikes away since then...

 

[Kingfisher101]

Andy, What I'd do is ask on the York Facebook page as well regarding bikes to hire. You may get someone saying you can use ours for the week etc or have other suggestions we dont know about.