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The new maps section will come online in the early Autumn. At the same time Halfords is to increase its distribution of the printed Sustrans maps.
Sustrans believes the maps on its website, despite being printable and high-definition, will increase sales of the printed maps, rather than dent them.
“Video sales boosted cinema attendances so free online maps needn’t harm sales of the published kind,” said Tim Snowdon of Sustrans.
“If they wanted to somebody could take the time and trouble to print off 15 sheets from the website and join them all together but we think most people will still prefer the real thing.
“We might lose a few sales but we’re all about promoting the use of the Network so if it gets more people cycling we’re still happy.”
The £100 000 tie-up with Britain’s biggest bike retailer is an extension of the support Halfords gave Sustrans during the Ride the Net festivities in 2000. The Halfords logo is to be prominent on the website maps but will not appear on the printed maps available for sale via IBDs, bookshops, the Sustrans website and, of course, Halfords.
