The Wirral Coastal Cycleway: A Vision for the Future
- Rory
- Feb 26
- 4 min read
What Zandvoort’s Coastal Cycleway Can Teach Us About Transforming Wirral
Cycling North to South Holland: A Ride into the Future
There are moments as a cyclist when you suddenly see how things should be.
For me, that moment came when I rode the Zandvoort to The Hague coastal cycleway.
Leaving Haarlem on a cool, overcast morning, I had a choice—take the faster inland route to Delft, or follow the coast through Zandvoort and ride the longer seaside path into The Hague.
The smooth, car-free cycleway stretched ahead, hugging the dunes. The North Sea roared in the distance, the wind pushing gently at my back. Unlike cycling in the UK, where you’re often forced onto painted lanes squeezed beside fast-moving cars, this was something different.
It was freedom. It was how cycling should be.
And the question kept circling in my mind:
Why doesn’t Wirral have this?
The Existing State of Cycling on Wirral
Wirral already has a strong foundation for cycling, but it falls short of what’s truly possible.
What We Have Now
🚴♂️ Wirral Circular Trail – A 60km route circling the peninsula, combining urban and rural paths, but inconsistent in quality.
🚴♂️ Wirral Way – A 12.3-mile traffic-free path from West Kirby to Hooton, popular with cyclists, walkers, and horse riders.
🚴♂️ Seaside Routes (New Brighton to Hoylake/West Kirby) – Some cycling provision exists, but paths are disconnected, narrow, or shared with pedestrians.
The Problem? Lack of Connectivity & Cohesion
🚧 Fragmented Routes – Sections exist, but they don’t link together properly.
🚧 Lack of Safe, Direct Cycling Superhighways – Many routes are shared with cars or pedestrians, slowing cyclists down and reducing safety.
🚧 Minimal Integration with Public Transport – Unlike the Netherlands, train stations aren’t designed for bikes, making multimodal travel difficult.
Wirral already has the coastline, the green space, and the demand for cycling. What’s missing is a unified vision—and this is where Zandvoort shows us the way.
Zandvoort to The Hague: A Benchmark for Coastal Cycling
This 45km Dutch coastal cycleway is part of EuroVelo 12, the North Sea Cycle Route—a 5,900km cycling corridor connecting the entire North Sea coastline.
But what makes the Zandvoort-to-The Hague section so special is that it prioritises cycling at every stage.
✔ Completely separated from motor traffic – No cars, no stress, just pure cycling freedom.
✔ Uninterrupted flow – You keep moving. No unnecessary stops, no sudden road crossings.
✔ Designed for all types of cyclists – Commuters, tourists, families—everyone benefits.
✔ Integrated with public transport – Arrive by train, cycle the coast, return effortlessly.
✔ Boosts the local economy – Cycle-friendly businesses thrive, attracting both tourists and local riders.
Like New Brighton or West Kirby, Zandvoort is an "end-of-the-line" coastal town—but it has thrived as a cycling hub because it is designed for sustainable transport and seamless connectivity.
This is the vision Wirral should be aiming for.
The Economic, Social, and Tourism Benefits of Cycling in Zandvoort
Cycling-friendly infrastructure doesn’t just improve mobility—it boosts the economy, supports businesses, and enhances quality of life.
🚲 Cyclists spend more than motorists – Studies show cyclists contribute up to 30% more revenue to local businesses than car users.
🚲 Increased property value – Homes in cycle-friendly areas see property values rise by 5-15%.
🚲 Cycling tourism boom – The Netherlands generates €3 billion annually from cycling tourism alone.
🚲 Healthier communities – More cycling means less pollution, lower healthcare costs, and stronger local economies.
🚲 Major event sustainability – The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is one of the world’s most car-free sports events, proving that cycling-first planning works at scale.
These are the economic arguments Wirral leaders need to hear—cycling is not just about transport, it’s about transforming communities.
Types of Cycle Infrastructure – And Why Wirral Needs Them
Dutch cycleways aren’t just one-size-fits-all paths. They use different infrastructure depending on location and function.
1. Bicycle Superhighways (Fietssnelwegen)
➡ Where I saw it: The Zandvoort coastal cycleway—fast, wide, uninterrupted.
➡ Where Wirral needs it: Ellesmere Port to Birkenhead to New Brighton to West Kirby to Neston —a long, uninterrupted coastal route for commuting and leisure.
2. Bicycle Streets (Fietsstraat)
➡ Where I saw it: Suburbs of The Hague—streets where cars must drive at cycling speed.
➡ Where Wirral needs it: All town centres—reclaiming streets for people, not just cars.
3. Protected On-Street Cycle Lanes
➡ Where I saw it: Zandvoort’s town centre—separate, clearly marked lanes
.➡ Where Wirral needs it: In towns and subarban aeras —a protected cycle lane alongside the existing road.
Expanding the Vision: Wirral to Manchester via the Ship Canal
Why stop at Wirral?
With the Manchester Ship Canal corridor, we could create a direct cycle route from Ellesmere Port to Manchester city centre. There is also the Trans Pennine Trail from Liverpool to Manchester. Why isn't Wirral connected?
🚲 36 miles of underused canal towpaths—perfect for a direct, scenic cycle route.
🚲 A game-changer for commuters—thousands could switch from cars to bikes.
🚲 Aligns with Greater Manchester’s cycling ambitions—helping create a North West cycling superhighway.
This would be one of the most ambitious cycling corridors in the UK, turning Wirral into a true active travel hub.
📢 Want to learn more about the future of cycling in Wirral?
Read our Future of Cycling On Wirral whitepaper at www.inkbyte.co.uk/cycling to explore better alternatives for road safety, infrastructure, and active travel planning.
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