Familyfitness - With Amy Martin of Sustrans IT’s A little-known fact that Swindon is home to a whopping 100km of cycle paths.

There is a growing momentum around cycling in the area with cycling clubs such as MB Swindon seeing 30% growth in membership in the last year alone.

Whether you’re commuting to work, taking the kids out for a spin or visiting friends, finding the best route by bike can be a challenge.

Fear not, however, there are many tools out there to make your journey hassle free. Here are our top choices.

Printable paper based Swindon Cycle Journey Planner: www.swindontravelchoices.co.uk/jplanner: This Swindon specific website generates a range of journey options covering both quiet and faster routes and also offers public transport information. Just print off the map and away you go.

Swindon Cycle Maps: available online at www.swindontravel choices.co.uk: Sustrans can post out cycle maps for the Swindon area along with a personalised journey plans. Go to survey.sustrans.org.uk/Swindon_your_journeys to request your free information pack.

Smart phone apps Cycle Streets: www.cyclestreets. net/mobile/: Cycle Streets has both an online journey planner and a mobile app with the only downside being that the app does not give turn by turn navigation.

Viewranger: www.viewranger.com/ For those more tech savvy amongst us, viewranger is a free mobile app that allows the user to plot a custom route and then follow directions via the app using GPS on your phone. It’s free and paired with a phone holder for your handlebars such as the one available from Sustrans www.sustrans.org.uk/shop/clothing-accessories/bikeconsole-universal-48 makes finding your way a breeze. It records all the key info such as distance and average speed.

Top tips l Familiarise yourself with your route before setting off. Google street view is helpful l Try to remember place names and points of interest along the route to use as way markers l Make sure your mobile is fully charged if using a smartphone app before setting out l If in doubt, ask a passer by for directions.

For more information on any of Sustrans’ local work, email swindon@sustrans.org.uk. Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.