Cycling in the forest is a great way to get out into nature whilst improving physical and mental health. As part of our Access for All programme, we’ve introduced access improvements at forests across the country, including upgrades to our cycling offer through an accessible cycle trail and two new Pedal and Play trails.
Built for individuals, families and communities
Not only do these cycle trails provide the opportunity to have fun whilst learning to ride and developing off-road skills, they're also in beautiful, traffic-free forest locations.
The trails are accessible to non-standard cycles and include other access features, making them great destinations for all the family, regardless of age and access needs. Located close to communities, we're hoping local people can visit frequently and really reap the health and wellbeing benefits of time spent in the forest.
Old Bob’s accessible cycling trail in the Forest of Dean
Launched in autumn 2024, Old Bob’s is a 2km (1.2 miles) fully accessible cycling trail at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre. It’s suitable for a range of cycles with two, three or four wheels, adaptive cycles and tag-a-longs. With a path two metres wide, Old Bob’s is perfect for beginner riders, families with trailers, and balance bikes too.
Learn new off-road cycling skills
Three skills areas are dotted along the route, each designed to help you learn the skills needed for safe and enjoyable off-road riding, including berms (banked corners or edges), rollers, bridges, boardwalks and rock gardens.
The trail is designed in such a way that you can ride these skills areas on a loop or skip them entirely and just enjoy riding the main trail.
Carefully researched and designed
Careful, considered design and planning went into creating both Old Bob’s trail and the new Pedal and Play trails. Face-to-face and online consultations took place as well as workshops attended by users of adapted cycles. All feedback received directly contributed to planning and really helped decision-making for these projects.
We also spoke with cyclists who regularly ride at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre and to local Gloucestershire organisation Goals Beyond Grass about our plans for Old Bob's trail. We asked them about best practice and their experience of delivering inclusive activities on site. Alongside this, we used learnings from the Kootenay accessible mountain biking standards to inform how we built all of these new trails.
Pedal and Play cycle trails
Our Pedal and Play trails are a fun and exciting combination of cycling and play set amongst the trees. They’re designed to encourage children from 3-11 years of age to start cycling, regardless of ability, and to develop their off-road cycling skills in a safe, traffic-free environment.
In spring 2025, new Pedal and Play trails opened at High Lodge in Suffolk and Hicks Lodge in Leicestershire, joining the existing one at Cannock Chase Forest in Staffordshire.
Improving confidence and having fun
Like Old Bob’s, Pedal and Play trails have a cycle trail element combined with cycle skills areas. These skills areas include berms and rollers as well as other challenges to help children develop balance and control. Pedal and Play trails also have a mirrored race loop, giving children the exciting opportunity to race against friends once all those off-road skills have been mastered.
With rest stops (including accessible seating) dotted along the way and shelters to offer some escape from wet weather included wherever possible, these new trails are designed for the whole family to enjoy. As if that wasn’t enough, there are also cycle-themed inclusive play areas nearby – perfect for burning even more energy and extending a day of forest fun.
Plan a visit to the forest
Inspired to explore the forest on wheels? Head over to our cycling page to find a trail near you. With more accessible cycling projects coming in the future, keep an eye on developments at forests near you to see if they'll soon be something new to discover.
