wellness
Cycling routes safe for families and beginners expand across Preston parks
Preston families now have more options for low-traffic cycling on marked paths through local green spaces as the city promotes outdoor activity.
How we reported this
Preston City Council completed new signage and surface upgrades on family cycling paths in two central parks on 1 July 2026.
The work aligns with the council's Active Preston programme, which recorded a 12 per cent rise in park visits between April and June this year compared with the same period in 2025. Residents have cited traffic concerns on main roads as the main barrier to cycling with children, and these park routes address that directly.
Avenham Park now features a 1.8-mile looped path that stays entirely within the park boundaries and connects to the western entrance of the Preston Guild Wheel. Miller Park offers a shorter 0.9-mile circuit around the bowling greens and along the River Ribble, with benches every 200 metres for rest stops. Both sites sit within the Fulwood and Ashton neighbourhoods, where local schools have begun using the routes for after-school rides organised through the Preston Cycling Club.
Routes and access details
The Guild Wheel section accessible from Avenham Park runs flat for the first three miles before any gentle inclines, making it suitable for balance bikes and tag-along attachments. Entry points include the car park off South Meadow Lane and the pedestrian gate near Winckley Square. Bike hire at the Avenham kiosk costs £6 for two hours or £15 for a full day, with child seats and helmets included.
Council counts show 340 family groups used the marked park paths during the first weekend of July. Sessions run every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from the Miller Park entrance on West Cliff, led by volunteer ride leaders from the club.
Practical steps for first rides
Beginners can start with the Miller Park loop, which has no road crossings. Riders should arrive before 11 a.m. to avoid peak dog-walker traffic and should carry water, as the only fountain sits near the pavilion. The council advises checking the Active Preston website the evening before for any temporary closures due to events.
Parents can combine a short park ride with a stop at the nearby Ashton Community Centre café, which opens at 9 a.m. on weekends and offers secure bike locking. Further route maps are available at the Preston Tourist Information point on Fishergate.