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Walk Bike Routes

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Walk Bike Routes

Points of Interest around Watford

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  • Cassiobury Park (former landscaped gardens of the Earls of Essex)
  • Grand Union Canal
  • Aquadrome
  • Lakes along the Colne Valley (nature reserves; great locations for watching waterfowl)
  • Ebury Way (a Sustrans path on a former railway line)

Route Characteristics

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  • Good footpaths and no hills on route
  • Option for people to shorten route as needed

National Cycle Highway (Sustrans)

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Minimum conditions for Cycle Highway path

The minimum conditions for a National Cycle Highway path include having a surface suitable for all users, maintained to be free of undulations, rutting, and potholes. The path should also be free-draining, and verges must be finished to avoid water ponding at the edges. In built-up areas, a sealed surface is recommended to maximize accessibility.

Additionally, all routes should accommodate a cycle design vehicle of 2.8 metres long and 1.2 metres wide, and any barriers should have a clear width of 1.5 metres.

The sub-base of the path should be an engineered material specified and compacted in accordance with the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works, Specification for Highway Works. Typically, a sub-base thickness of 150mm, after compaction, will be enough, though this may be reduced where the subgrade is strong, or increased when soft, wet, or poor native ground is encountered.

To facilitate surface water run-off, paths should have a cross-fall (fall to one side) or camber (fall from a centre line to both sides). Where possible, designers should incorporate camber to a path’s surface, as this will provide a better outcome for wheelers.

For traffic-free routes, the path should be part of a network-wide signing strategy, directing users to and from the National Cycle Network and to trip generators such as places of interest, hospitals, universities, and colleges. Signage should also be used to increase route legibility and branding of routes, and to help reinforce responsible behaviour by all users.

Bike Rides

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Done

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