Cambridge, with its historic colleges and beautiful green spaces, is a fantastic city to explore on an electric bike. Electric biking in Cambridge allows visitors and locals to enjoy all that the city has to offer while getting some exercise and reducing their carbon footprint.
In this guide, we'll explore the benefits of electric biking in Cambridge and some tips for staying safe while out on the road. So, whether you're a local looking for a new way to commute, or a visitor wanting to experience the beauty of Cambridge, grab your helmet and let's get started!
Cambridge's Best Electric Bike Trails
Cambridge offers many great electric bike trails that allow riders to explore the city's beautiful parks and surrounding countryside. Here are some of the best electric bike trails in Cambridge:
The Grantchester Loop
This is a popular circular route that takes riders through the picturesque village of Grantchester and along the River Cam. The route includes a mix of on-road and off-road paths, and offers stunning views of the city and countryside.
The Cambridge Greenways
The Cambridge Greenways are a network of off-road bike paths that connect the city's green spaces and parks. The paths are well-maintained and offer a smooth and easy ride for electric bike riders of all abilities.
The Wimpole Way
The Wimpole Way is a trail that takes riders from the city center to the National Trust's Wimpole Estate. The route passes through some of the city's most beautiful green spaces, including Coe Fen and the Backs, and offers a mix of on-road and off-road paths.
Cambridge's Electric Bike Infrastructure
Cambridge is a bike-friendly city with a well-developed infrastructure for electric bikes. The city council has invested heavily in bike-friendly infrastructure in recent years, with a network of bike paths, dedicated bike lanes, and bike parking facilities throughout the city. Here are some of the key features of the electric bike infrastructure in Cambridge:
- Charging stations: There are several electric bike charging stations located throughout the city, including at the Cambridge Railway Station, the Grand Arcade shopping center, and the Park Street car park. These charging stations provide a convenient and accessible way for electric bike riders to recharge their bikes while out and about.
- Bike lanes: Cambridge has a network of dedicated bike lanes that offer safe and efficient routes for electric bike riders. Many of these bike lanes are separated from traffic, providing an added level of safety for riders.
- Bike parking: There are several bike parking facilities located throughout the city, including secure bike parking facilities at the Cambridge Railway Station and the Grand Arcade shopping center. These facilities offer a safe and convenient place for electric bike riders to park their bikes while they explore the city.
- Bike shops: There are several bike shops in Cambridge that specialize in electric bikes, offering a range of models for sale or rent, as well as bike servicing and repairs.
Overall, Cambridge's infrastructure for electric bikes is well-developed and constantly improving. With its dedicated bike lanes, charging stations, and bike parking facilities, Cambridge is a great place for both locals and visitors to enjoy the benefits of electric biking.
Renting an Electric Bike in Cambridge
If you're looking to rent an electric bike in Cambridge, there are several great options available. Here are some of the best places to rent an electric bike in Cambridge:
Bike Shops
Rutland Cycling: Rutland Cycling is a bike rental company located in the Grand Arcade shopping center. They offer a range of electric bikes for rent, including models from top brands like Giant and Trek. They also offer guided tours of the city and surrounding countryside. Station Cycles: Station Cycles is a family-run bike shop located near the Cambridge Railway Station. They offer a range of electric bikes for rent.
Independent Companies
City Cycle Hire offers e-bike rentals for both long term and short term time periods. Cambridge Electric Transport has a bike share type of rental program for some of the surrounding areas. Voi lets you move quickly around Cambridge by letting you rent an e-bike or an e-scooter through their app.
Cambridge's Best Electric Bike Shops
If you're looking to buy an electric bike in Cambridge, there are several great bike shops in the city that specialize in electric bikes. Here are some of the best electric bike shops in Cambridge:
Rutland Cycling
Rutland Cycling is a bike shop located on Barnwell Road in Cambridge. They offer a wide range of electric bikes from top brands like Trek, Cannondale, and Giant. They also offer bike servicing and repairs, as well as a range of accessories.
Cycle King
Cycle King is a bike shop located on Mill Rd in Cambridge. They offer a range of electric bikes for sale, including models from top brands like Carrera and Apollo.
Cambridge Cycle Co
Cambridge Cycle Co has a large selection of electric bike brands including in Tern, Royal Dutch Gazelle, and Bianchi. Located in Great Shelford this is one of the best e-bike shops in the Cambridge area.
Electric Bike Sales
In business since 2005 with locations throughout the UK. Electric Bike Sales are an e-bike specialist shop with staff that has deep expertise in all things electric biking. An excellent selection of top e-bike brands and bike types.
Cambridge's E-Bike Rules and Regulations
- Safety Equipment: Electric bikes must have lights fitted if they are ridden after dark, just like regular bicycles.
- Road Rules: Electric bike riders must obey the same road rules as regular bicyclists, including stopping at red lights and stop signs, using hand signals when turning, and riding on the correct side of the road. Electric bikes are limited to a maximum speed of 25 km/h on public roads and bike paths. If an electric bike can travel faster than this speed, the motor will automatically cut out and the bike will revert to manual pedaling.
- Bike Restrictions: The electric motor on an electric bike cannot exceed 250 watts in power.
- Where to Ride:
- Age Restrictions: You must be over the age of 14 to ride an electric bike in Cambridge.
- Administration Requirements:
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