New walking and cycling maps for Dorset towns

Six Dorset towns are leading the way forward in turning their footpaths, bridleways and streets into a free exercise gym with the aid of new Active Travel Maps.

The maps are for:

Bridport (including Beaminster & Lyme Regis)
Dorchester
Gillingham & Shaftesbury
Sherborne
Weymouth and Portland

These highlight the traffic free footpaths, bridleways, byways and cycle tracks, as well as quiet roads, where people can avoid traffic and get physically active by walking and cycling to and from their destinations. The maps show:

Key destinations, shopping areas and schools
Tourist attractions
Cycle shops
Links between the towns and surrounding villages
On and off-road cycle routes
The Public Rights of Way network which can be used to get out into Dorset's beautiful countryside

The draft maps have been developed with Sherborne Transport Action Group, Western Area Transport Action Group, Westham Community Group and Transition Town Dorchester after securing funding from the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Partnership 'Communities for Health' and Dorset County Council.

The maps are being launched to mark Bike Week 2010 and will be available free of charge in local cycle shops, tourist information centres and council offices.

They can also be downloaded from the right of this page.

Walking, cycling and horse riding are physically active modes of travel which help increase your fitness and general health and wellbeing and can provide a convenient way of getting the recommended 30 minutes of exercise a day. The maps will help raise awareness of the opportunities for walking and cycling in your town and enjoy getting about in an enjoyable and healthy way.