The National Cycle Network is a Millennium Commission Project supported by £43.5 million of National Lottery Funds. It is the only project reaching the whole of the United Kingdom.

The network includes 5,000 miles of safe, attractive, high quality routes for cyclists and provides a major amenity for walkers and wheelchair users. The network will be extended to 10,000 miles by 2005.

The National Cycle Network is a partnership project involving local councils, businesses, landowners and environmental organisations. Derby is known as a National Network hub town as it has three legs of the National Cycle Network running through the city:

• Route 6, leg 603 - Derby to Leicester
  This is known locally as the canal path. Starting at the rear of Wilmorton College, where the route joins the Riverside path, it runs south along the line of the former Canal to Shelton Lock and Swarkestone and then on to Melbourne along a former railway line. It will eventually go to Leicester.
  
• Route 6, leg 604 - Derby to Nottingham
  This route starts at Exeter bridge. It runs through the Riverside Gardens, Bass' Recreation Ground and then alongside the River Derwent through Pride Park, Alvaston Park and out towards Elvaston Castle. Beyond the castle, it goes to Long Eaton and eventually Nottingham.
  
• Route 54 - Derby to Lichfield
  This route starts at Exeter Bridge. It runs through the city centre, along Friar Gate, out to Mackworth and on to Mickleover. The route will then follow the line of the former Etwall railway line and on, eventually to Lichfield. The route has also been extended north from Exeter Bridge to Little Eaton.

All routes are signposted with the National Cycle Network number highlighted on a red panel. For more information about the National Cycle Network visit the Sustrans website: Sustrans - National Cycle Network.