Bedford has always been a cycling town and the 2001 census showed that 6% of residents travelled to work by bicycle. Although not up at the levels of Cambridge or Oxford it is nethertheless in the top quarter for cycling in the United Kingdom. This is in some measure due to the town's relatively flat and compact area with all parts including Kempston and the suburbs of Biddenham, Bromham, Clapham and Elstow being within a 15 minute cycle of the town centre.

The Urban cycle network was started in the 1970s and has been continually expanded since that time. There are still many areas to improve and with significant housing developments taking place, including the regeneration of the town centre, and from April 2009 the new Bedford Unitary Authority, there is an even stronger need to ensure that cyclists interests are taken into account.

Ford End Road Bridge - 1950s