General Information Daventry Country Park Health & Safety Daventry has an excellent network of cycling routes, There are a number of things you can do to help you stay including a large number of off-road cycle tracks and safe whilst cycling: CycleCycle shared-use pathways, which can be used for many • Fit good quality lights to your bike, in case you need journeys around the town. The road network is also to cycle at night or in overcast conditions or mist. suitable for many journeys by bike and has been graded • When cycling on the road, keep well away from the on this map according to the degree of skill and experience kerb – it will help you to see and be seen. needed to cycle along each road. • Don’t weave in and out of parked vehicles – keep a If you are a beginner or are worried about cars, you should straight line so drivers can see you. build up your confidence and basic skill on the yellow • Be considerate of other road users – respect them as roads, where traffic is lighter and speeds are low. you would like to be respected in return. • Give clear hand signals before beginning any As your cycling skills and confidence increase, you can manoeuvre – other road users and pedestrians cannot begin to explore the higher graded routes. Bridleways are read your mind. also permitted for use by cyclists, although their surfaces • Also check over your shoulder – before any manoeuvre can often be muddy and may not be suitable for cycling to ensure you know the position of other road users during the winter. around you. Why I’m do t going With the wide cycle network in Daventry, travel to many • Above all, always follow the Highway Code, obeying cal hey to l it be la places is convenient by bike, including to sites of all road signs and traffic lights. rush fo te hou r work employment such as Drayton Fields, Royal Oak and Long Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing. During r? March Industrial Estates and, for recreation, Daventry twilight hours and at night it is especially important that you Country Park, Drayton Reservoir and Borough Hill are easily Daventry has an excellent network of cycle-friendly routes make yourself visible by wearing clothing with reflective accessible by cycle routes from many areas of the town. panels. Most bike shops will be able to assist with choosing suitable gear. The right to cycle on a particular road or path can be a Where paths are shared-use cycle/footways, Now complicated question, so, although care has been taken in Visitor Centre cancel I can pedestrians always have priority. Fit a bell or horn and my preparation, this map is not evidence of a right to use any membe gym use it to warn pedestrians of your presence, but also pass rship road or path or of its legal status. For more information slowly and leave as much room as possible. An elderly or blind please contact Northamptonshire County Council (Please person can feel intimidated and upset by cyclists rushing by. see Useful contacts section). Wear a cycle helmet. It is not compulsory, but can help Bikes and Trains reduce the risk of head injuries in an accident. Children Cycles can be carried on the trains of all train companies especially, whether cycling or in a child seat, should wear a operating on the National Rail Network, but each company helmet, but it is important that they are properly fitted. Again, has its own policy. Details can be obtained from individual most cycle shops will be able to provide assistance with this. companies or from: Purchase a good lock, so you can secure your bike when National Rail Enquiry Service you need to leave it. Cycle shops will stock a suitable range of models. tel: 08457 48 49 50 web: www.nationalrail.co.uk You should also ensure your bike is properly maintained. London Midland Check your brakes, lights and tyres regularly. Correctly Daventry Cycle Map tel: 0844 811 0133 web: www.londonmidland.com pumped up tyres and a well-oiled chain and cogs will make Cycle Routes • Cycle Shops East Midlands cycling easier and reduce the risk of an accident. You should give your bike a full-service at least once a year, or more tel: 08457 125678 web: www.eastmidlands.co.uk frequently if you use your bike regularly. Many bike shops can do this for you if you are unsure how to do it yourself. If you feel insecure about cycling or know a child who wants to learn how to ride a bike, cycle training is available. This We can ALL tread can help greatly increase cycling confidence, which in turn more carefully. will make you a much safer cyclist. See contacts section for A clearly signed cycle route further details. www.northamptonshire.gov.uk O S L A FA LC NERS C O 4 AD RO 2 N 5 Why cycle? Daventry Town Centre W ELTO Useful Contacts Y Cycling Signs WA If you require further information or have suggestions ERN AST 6 E regarding the provision for cyclists in Northampton, There are many benefits that can be realised by cycling 403 You can contact Northamptonshire County Council regarding Daventry B please contact: regularly instead of making car-journeys. Icon Cycle route for use by cyclists and general cycling issues within Northamptonshire by e-mailing: People who cycle regularly suffer less from ill-health and pedestrians together [email protected], or by calling the Highways, Transport and Infrastructure 6 illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes, obesity A425 Customer Service Centre on 0300 126 1000. Further Northamptonshire County Council and stress. Mental Health and sense of well-being are Cycle route for use by cyclists and pedestrians information can also be found on the County Council Riverside House improved in addition to the well-established benefits to on separate sides of path website: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk Riverside Way BY RD A 2 physical health. A good cycle home after a stressful day at ASH S H Northampton D B WAY The County Council also organises training for school children Y RN A work, for example, can help you relax more easily than E T N R EAS Cycle route for use by cyclists only NN1 5NX E O through the Government’s Bikeability scheme; telephone the T A B after sitting in your car during heavy traffic. R D E S D above number or visit the County Council website. tel: 0300 126 1000 O R U Council I Cycling as part of your daily routine can also save you time V T Route reserved for use by cyclists only E Offices H web: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk L W and money, as you are naturally getting exercise without O Retail W CTC (Cyclist’s Touring Club) is an organisation that can, 6 Place of D ELL 5 A (road marking) email: [email protected] 42 G A Park Y the need for taking up time going to the gym, etc. The Worship E O amongst other aspects, provide advice on where you can R N SE O O CL R ING A receive cycle training for all ages. Visit their website: number of calories that you burn depends on lots of D O GOL D To report road, pavement, street lighting, traffic signal or any A D Cycle route ahead factors, such as the speed you cycle, gradient, body NO www.ctc.org.uk, or call the general enquiries line: R other highway problem, please contact ‘Street Doctor’: TH weight, and even how windy it is, but a 30 minute journey S 0844 736 8450, for further details. TR Leisure EE tel: 0845 601 1113 at 10 miles per hour can burn as much as 300 calories. T Centre Cyclists should walk at this point The Government recommends that everyone takes The Bikeability (www.dft.gov.uk/bikeability/) and Sustrans email: [email protected] EET STR (www.sustrans.org.uk) websites are also useful places to exercise for 30 minutes on five or more days a week. For EY N’S S BB JOH QU A Daventry District Council T A 36 Recommended route for cyclists to use (usually visit for a wealth of cycling information. many, cycling to work and back will be enough to achieve S R B40 E Lodge Road, Daventry, this, and more! For most local urban journeys, cycling is on road with no provisions for cyclists) E Northants NN11 4 FP N usually quicker door-to-door than car journeys during rush- A L Museum R Cycle Shops in or near Daventry tel: 01327 871100 hour. And, of course, it is the cheapest form of transport, Library A Direction signs showing recommended C I 8 email: [email protected] V aside from walking, so you can save even more money – 3 0 route for cyclists 4 If you need advice about maintaining your bicycle, or no need to pay fuel or parking costs. What’s more, the B web: www.daventrydc.gov.uk Place of choosing a new one, contact your local bike shop. There are Government’s Cycle to Work scheme can assist with the M Cycle lane on the road ahead I Memorial Worship S LL Funded by: E N O also many excellent websites for researching bikes, spare purchase of a bike through your employer, allowing you to N 1 U IU T M WAY C T H H parts or “How to” guides.