An extensive network of bike lanes makes exploring Jersey on two wheels a breeze, discovers Natalie Marsh
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve said hello to so far. It’s a beautiful sunny day in Jersey, and I’m about half an hour into a leisurely bike ride along St Aubin’s seafront. The tide is out and I’m snatching glimpses of the vast sandy terrain to my left as oncoming cyclists catch my eye with a quick smile, nod or greeting as they pass by.
I take a quick pit stop halfway along the beach. Not that I really need one – I’m on one of Jersey’s electric EVie bikes, which is making this ride significantly easier for a novice cyclist like myself. The built-in motor kicks in as soon as you start pedalling and they can reach a top speed of 15mph.
The bikes are easy and affordable to hire, at £6 an hour for the first two hours and £1 an hour thereafter. There are docking stations dotted across the island, and the app tracks the distance you’ve covered, allows you to hit pause when you want to stop and notifies you of the electric charge left.
I’m happy taking it slow for now as I pedal along the coast. I’m following a section of Jersey Cycle Route 1, which circuits the nine-by-five-mile island and enables more‑experienced cyclists to see a good deal of Jersey in one 40‑mile loop. But time (and ability) are against me, so I join the route from my base in St Helier and commit to reaching La Corbière lighthouse in the southwest corner of the island.
Jersey has an extensive cycle network and is very well set up for both visitors and locals who want to explore on two wheels. There’s even a smaller network of ‘green lanes’ with a speed limit of 15mph.
I round a corner and spot La Corbière lighthouse offshore, twinkling under the bright sun
Though I’m on a regular cycle route, there are clear marks on the paths to ensure cyclists don’t come too close to walkers, along with plenty of signposts reassuring me that I’m heading the right way. Updates to the island’s highway code this year also aim to enhance safety on all roads for pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists.
After what feels like no time at all, I round a corner and spot La Corbière lighthouse offshore, twinkling under the bright sun. But rather than dread the cycle back, I’m excited to retrace my tracks and pass by everything that I saw on the way once again. I make it back to St Helier in time for dinner, check my app and am surprised to see that I’ve cycled just over 19 miles – all in an afternoon’s work.
Book it
A three-night stay at the four-star Radisson Blu Hotel in St Helier costs from £291, including flights from Gatwick on April 4.
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A three-night stay at the Pomme d’Or hotel in St Helier costs from £299, valid from April 1-27 with flights from four UK airports.
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PICTURES: Natalie Marsh
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