Cycling at Eddington
Eddington is a 15 minute cycle to the centre of Cambridge and has plenty of cycle parking.
To make cycling accessible there are pedestrian and cycle routes across Eddington. There is also the Ridgeway, a 900m dedicated cycle highway, running through Eddington connecting to Storey’s Way and Huntingdon Road. The name of the Ridgeway is a reference to the geological features of the site as it follows the natural plateau of the land and the historic ridge. To the north of the ridge line was traditionally marked by soil which was more clay-like in substance, and to the south, the ground conditions were more gravel-like.
You can plan your cycle route on Cycle Streets, choosing the quietest or quickest route to suit you, enter CB3 1SE as your destination.
Travel initiatives for University key workers
The University of Cambridge has a range of transport initiatives to encourage cycling at Eddington as part of our community travel plan framework. Some of the offers for University members include:
- Eddington Borrow a Bike: Outspoken provides a scheme that enables Key Worker Housing residents to loan bicycles. There are several types of bikes, from the standard bike, e-bike and cargo bike, as well as children’s bikes.
- Eddington Dr Bike: Bikeworks, with their experienced mechanics, offer one-to-one sessions to conduct a full check of bicycles and carry out minor repairs on site. Please visit the website and check the eligibility conditions.
- Cycle Training: A fully qualified National Standard Instructor provide a two-hour one-to one-lesson to suit your individual abilities and goals.
- There are also e-bikes and e-scooters for hire: Voi provides e-scooters and e-bikes ready for hire 24/7 in the Community Square outside the Storey’s Field Centre which are available for general use.
Eddington Number Challenge
The Eddington Number Challenge is a cycling campaign launched by the University of Cambridge in May to promote sustainable travel and healthy living
The campaign is based around the Eddington number for cycling – which takes its name from its inventor, Sir Arthur Eddington, who was also the astrophysicist, astronomer and mathematician that the new district is named after.
Your Eddington Number is the largest number of miles you have cycled or walked for a consistent number of individual days. The days do not need to be consecutive. For example, if you have cycled or walked five miles in a day on five separate days, you will have an Eddington Number of five. Eddington’s own number was 84, which meant he cycled 84 miles on 84 different days.
All participants will be able to calculate their number and track their progress using the University’s custom-built campaign website. The website also includes goals for people of all abilities, with suggested target Eddington Numbers for beginners, improvers and enthusiasts.
Two University Pro-Vice Chancellors and MP for Cambridge Daniel Zeichner are supporting the campaign.
Andy Neely, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Enterprise and Business Relations is targeting an Eddington Number of 20+ and commented: “The Eddington Number Challenge is a fantastic way to get local people on their bikes and walking, getting active and promoting sustainable transport. The campaign website is brilliantly designed and very simple to use either on the computer or through Strava. I’ll be using it to track my progress throughout the summer and I’m looking forward to competing against my colleagues in the Department and across the University.”
Chris Abell, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Cambridge, who is targeting an Eddington Number of 20+ commented: “The Eddington Number Challenge is a great initiative for the University and wider community, and certainly a challenge that I will embrace. Over the summer I will be aiming to cycle and run more, working out how to fit it into my daily schedule and improve my own Eddington Number, encouraging others to make the most of the outdoors whilst they track and increase their own progress.”
Daniel Zeichner said: “Cambridge is an international centre for cycling and the Eddington Number Challenge is a fantastic way of encouraging more people to get onto their bikes. I am certainly geared up for the Eddington Number Challenge and I hope many more continue to sign up and use this as an opportunity to get out on the bike.”
