'The complete National Cycle Network’ app, created by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, will be soon available from the iTunes store, making over 25,000 miles of walking and cycling network across the UK available for mobile phones. Created from Sustrans' OS-based online mapping facility, the routes on the app include all 13,000 miles of National Cycle Network plus a further 12,000 miles of regional and local routes and links, in both urban and rural terrain.
The app integrates with the public transport network and provides links to the Transport Direct journey planning website, making it easier to get bus and train updates from any location, so you can plan longer journeys. The interface also recommends routes for local travel. All routes have been assessed and approved for inclusion and are shown at a 1:10000 scale.
The latest developments and additions to the network will be updated fortnightly and users can plan and save routes or share them with friends. You can also record and keep a GPS track of your trajectory as you walk or ride along, and centre the map on your current location.
As well as being a travel tool, the app can be used to find out what a particular area has to offer. Local grocery shops, schools, libraries, museums, sports centres and other amenities are highlighted, along with leisure attractions, places of interest and information on car clubs, bike shops and public transport.
You can find out more from the Sustrans website, www.sustrans.org.uk. Going forward, the app sounds like it will be a really promising resource; at Cycle Lifestyle we'd be delighted to hear details and feedback from its users.
