If there are links that you think should be listed please let me know. No guarantees on inclusion!
Updated 24th July 2023
To Report Local Problems
Cycling UK offer the “FillthatHole” service that works out the appropriate local authority and sends on the report. This service is also available as an app for your phone to allow instant reporting of problems whilst you are out and about on your bike.
For a general reporting system see FixMyStreet which collects the reported information and then routes it to the appropriate council – website and phone app. Derbyshire County Council refuse to accept reports of problems from the FixMyStreet app (or any similar third party apps) thereby forcing people to use their home grown online form (see below). Not a good decision to encourage the public to report problems.
Derby City
Within Derby City boundaries all highway maintenance issues as they may affect cyclists (e.g. potholes, inadequate/failed lighting, hedge cutting) can be reported by filling in the details on the form here. Note that you have to connect a cycling problem with a road location – either use the nearest available road and add more detailed location information or ignore the form and email maintenance.highways@derby.gov.uk
Derby City will still accept FixMyStreet and other third party app reports so that method can also be used.
Derbyshire
For highway maintenance issues within the county of Derbyshire, but outside Derby City Council area, report using the online form here
Note that using third party apps (e.g. FixMyStreet) is not accepted by Derbyshire County Council and the Council’s (inflexible) form has to be used.
National Highways (was Highways England)
If the problem is on, or close to, a road that the National Highways are responsible for (broadly A38, M1, A50, Raynesway, A52 between Spondon and M1) then report it here or ring 0300 123 5000.
Winter Gritting
Some Derbyshire countryside roads are regularly gritted during periods of frost and snow. These can be seen on this map.
Local Organisations
Cycle Derby – council organisation to grow cycling in Derby, particularly amongst school children
Cycling UK (was CTC) National organisation campaigning and providing various local organised rides.
Bike Back Derby is a community bicycle recycling initiative which aims to help local people feel healthier and more connected – whilst reducing congestion and pollution. To do this they sell affordable bikes that have been refurbished by men from local prisons.
Secure Parking in Derby
Street-side bike parking in Derby can be subject to the risk of theft and there have been a number of attempts to provide varying degrees of extra security. These include:
Derby City Council in conjunction with HUUB offer free bike parking at Bikeworks on Full Street during shop hours.
Cyclesecure within the Bold St car park (“Europe’s most secure”). requires a monthly subscription (£15 or £30) so really best for regular commuters. Now managed by Spoke Safe
Derbion Cycle Hub located on London Road. Requires registration (including photo id) and is then available for one-off visits at prices starting at £1. Access available 24 hours. Bike locks still needed. Managed by Spoke Safe.
Derby Train Station “cage” on the station forecourt. Access to the cycle parking cage is by a keyfob which can be purchased for a one off price of £10 from the ticket office. Parked bikes are accessible to anyone else with a keyfob but not to the general public. The keyfobs are often not available for long periods.
Cycling Infrastructure Information
In 2020 the Government published the long awaited LTN 1/20 guidance which all local authorities should now follow for cycle related infrastructure.
All Local Authorities should create a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) which should go through a public consultation and then be regularly reviewed. Any spend on cycling facilities should fit into the plan. Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire started the process of creating a joint plan in 2018 and it has yet to be consulted on. The draft plan can be found here. Derbyshire’s plans closely match the Derbyshire Key Cycle Network plans. Derby City’s plans and the justification for them are fairly unintelligible!
Derbyshire have a policy for their rights of way of “gap, gate, stile” to provide the maximum access for all kinds of users of the routes. Sustrans have the policy of a presumption for paths to be open to all legitimate users with minimal or no access controls.
Various different bodies have created design documents to help in the creation of effective cycling infrastructure. These include:
LTN 1/20 Government Design Guide
Sustrans Traffic Free Routes and Greenways Design Guide
CD143: Design for Walking Cycling and Horse Riding
British Horse Society advice
London Cycling Infrastructure reports
European Cycle Highway information
Greater Manchester design guide (2021)
Local Cycle Campaign Groups
Derby Cycling Group campaigns on behalf of all cyclists in the Derby area
Derwent Valley Cycleway – campaigning for a cycle route from Derby to Chatsworth following the River Derwent through the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site
Nottingham – Pedals
Ashfield and Mansfield – seems to have very little recent activity.
Peaks and Puddles for north west of Derbyshire
British Cycling campaigning page
Library of campaigning resources at Cyclescape
20’s Plenty For Us was formed in order to campaign for the implementation of 20 mph as the default speed limit on residential roads in the UK.
The Campaign for Better Transport is an independent charity, who work by providing well-researched, practical solutions to transport problems, pressuring national and local government to adopt them, and empowering ordinary people up and down the country.
Local cycling clubs
Derby Mercury Mountain biking, cyclo-cross, time trials and more
Derby CTC The Derby Section of the national Cycling UK. Regular rides throughout the year.
Belper bicycle club
Derwent Valley All Terrain Club
National Organisations
British Cycling and their East Midlands specific information
Other Links
Cycle Derby map provides a PDF map for cycle routes in Derby (large). Updated in January 2021. An online, interactive version of this information (plus some extra and some changed) can be found here.
There are many options for online cycle maps and routing applications. I’ve tried a number and now use Komoot as my preferred software for planning routes. I download this to my cycle computer and then, after my ride, the computer uploads what I’ve actually ridden to both Strava and Komoot. There is a good summary of the options at the Peaks & Puddles site.
Cycling UK’s countrywide (and by county) list of published cycle routes together with links to download (where possible). Of mixed quality so double check.
Transport for New Homes aims to reform planning for a green transport future
Charlotte’s Tandems offers loans of tandems to people in need.
road.cc – UK web site with news, reviews, etc. (“award winning”)
Transport Paradise is a site offering various advice on how to get better cycling facilities based on experience in Oxford.
Essential Evidence is a site created by Adrian Davis to distil various academic papers into single page summaries
Tools of Change is a Canadian based set of research relating to various areas but with a big focus on cycling. A possible useful source of evidence for the success of differing behaviour modification studies.
Sustrans resources suitable for use by, and in, schools.
Cycle Shops, etc.
Shops and repair centres that I’m aware of in the Derby area. I suggest you ask around for feedback on any you are thinking of using. No guarantees from me!
The Bike Shop – Derby based store offering “possibly Derby’s largest selection of bikes”.
Cyclo Monster – is an online store with a showroom in Spondon
Velo Bavarian – is a bike shop with a “twist” based in MIlford (moved location in 2024)
Mercian Cycles – long time Derby high end supplier specialising in custom frames.
Bike Back – Derby is a recycling scheme where you can donate unwanted bikes and buy refurbished bikes.
London Road Cycles (previously Bargain Bikes). Derby outpost of Birmingham shop specialising in second hand bikes.
DD Cycles in Alvaston
Sonder Bikes – mail order business with factory shop in Eastwood. Provided my most used bike – recommended.
Decathlon is an international chain with a store in Giltbrook by IKEA.
Hawk Cycles – discount chain which includes an outlet in Derby.
Halfords – national chain with branch at Wyvern shopping centre.
Big on Bikes – is a repair and service workshop in Little Eaton
Home Bike Services – mobile bike repairs
Cycle Touring Supplies is a Derby based organisation offering an eclectic mix of cycling equipment and services.
Brilliant Bikes – online parts, particularly for Bromptons – excellent service, reasonable prices.
Derby Bike Guru offering repairs based in Mickleover.
Detail Bike tech – workshop offering servicing and repairs in Holbrook.
Rutland Cycling site includes various events and guides for cycles as well as sales of bikes
electric Bikes is a commercial site with lots of information on electric bikes.
2 Wheelies – Shop on Wardwick offering “the perfect repair experience on anything with 2 wheels or more”.
Mode MBX – “Derby’s original bmx specialist store, for all your bmx needs. est – 2004” – currently online only.
The Cycle Service – shop near Belper marketplace concentrating on repairs and servicing. Contact David Price 07723 377818
Locally Organised Social Rides
Also see the list of local cycling clubs (above) who organise rides alongside their other activities.
British Cycling Lets Ride – searchable list of local rides organised by varying people. Click on “find a ride”. Includes the women only Breeze rides.
Derby CTC The Derby and Burton Section of the national Cycling UK (was CTC). Regular rides throughout the year.
Cycle Mickleover – “Mission is to get Mickleover cycling safely and regularly by providing accessible ride opportunities for all abilities both on and off road.”
Bike Hire
Derby Telegraph wrote an article detailing the various bike hire centres around the Peak District in early 2021. No guarantees that the Derby Telegraph have the facts correct. See the article here.
Calke Abbey offer bike hire at reasonable prices (check opening times as not every day) as well as providing a good selection of traffic free routes and occasional organised rides to help people new (or returning) to cycling to gain confidence.
Peak District cycle hire – various centres on the off road ex railway paths. Fairly expensive (in my view!) but popular with tourists.
Carsington Water – bike hire including electric bikes
Blackwell Mill – on the Monsal Trail near Buxton. Claim cheapest prices on the Monsal Trail although their cafe is VERY expensive
Stolen Bike links
Stolen-bikes – a web site to help get you reunited with your stolen bike
The Crime Prevention Website is concerned with all aspects of reducing crime including that of cycles.
Bikeregister allows all to register their bike in case it is stolen and also lets those thinking of buying a second hand bike to check the database before parting with cash.