Cycling has always been popular in the UK; in 2023 approximately 7.4 million people took part in some form of cycling, whether for sport, leisure or travel and it’s not hard to see why. For example, cycling is a great way to keep fit and active and there are many benefits to cycling to work; a study by the University of Glasgow found that people who do so reduce their risk of an early death and are 20% less likely to need medication for mental health problems.
It’s also good for the environment and if you live in a congested town or city, it can be a quicker way to get around, or commute.
As more people are cycling, cities are doing more to encourage cyclists; by creating more cycle routes, improving the infrastructure and providing bike sharing initiatives, so we’ve had a look at the best UK cities for cycling. Our methodology looked at the overall ‘cycle-friendliness’ of each city as well as some good cycle routes. We also reviewed the stats for road safety, bike theft and – that all important issue – the weather!
YORK
York has 1,403 cycle routes, and its relatively small size, and lack of hills make it very popular with cyclists; it even welcomed the Tour De France in 2014. There’s a great network of on and off-road cycle lanes that take you through the historic city centre, out along the river in any direction, and out into the surrounding countryside, including the famous Solar System route, one of many family friendly cycle routes.
There are plenty of cycle racks in the city centre and it also has its very own cycle cafe. The city has a few bike-based initiatives, including The Recycle Project 100 Bike Giveaway, which gave away 100 bikes to people living in and around York in 2023, and you can go on a guided cycle tour of the city.
The stats:
- York has an average temperature of 10°C and has on average 120.16 days of rainfall.
- York is 8th in the top ten of the UK’s safest cities for cycling.
- North Yorkshire is 10th on the list of the UK’s bike theft hotspots, with a predicted 1,096 in 2024 (read our blog post on measures you can take to prevent bike theft).
- In 2022 there were 35 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in York.
NORWICH
With 839 cycle routes, Norwich has one of the highest levels of cycling in the UK. It’s also home to the Norwich Cycling Campaign that aims to encourage cycling and improve conditions and facilities for cyclists in the city.
In 2020 the council started a bike share scheme, this provides up to 600 manual and electric-assist bikes as part of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, an initiative that aims to invest in projects that encourage low-carbon and sustainable modes of transport.
The stats:
- Norwich has an average temperature of 10.5°C and has on average 122.99 days of rainfall.
- Norwich is 10th in the top ten of the UK’s safest cities for cycling.
- In 2022 there were 19 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Norwich.
BELFAST
Compact enough to navigate by bike, Belfast has 543 cycle routes, many of which are hilly, although it has plenty of flat routes too. With only 1% of journeys in Northern Ireland being made by bike, there’s still a long way to go when it comes to encouraging cycling. But Belfast is really investing in its cycling culture, with an increase in cycle paths, and the introduction of a bike hire scheme, TIER, which is part of the ‘Making Belfast an Active City – Belfast Cycling Network 2021’ programme. This aims to improve and develop the city’s cycling infrastructure over the next 10 years.
The stats:
- Belfast has an average temperature of 10°C and has on average 156.18 days of rainfall.
- Northern Ireland has one of the lowest levels of theft in the UK.
- Every year walking and cycling in Belfast results in 13,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
NOTTINGHAM
Nottingham has an impressive 1,072 cycle routes, most of which are hilly, and three of the National Cycle Network routes run through the city. Explore Nottingham offers free, guided cycle rides in and around the city, as well as bike maintenance sessions, cycling lessons for both children and adults, and family cycling sessions.
Nottingham University has invested heavily in providing cycle paths and facilities for staff and students. They’ve got a short-term bike rental scheme for staff and students and longer-term hire as part of their Cycle to Work scheme.
The stats:
- Nottingham has an average temperature of 10.1°C and has on average 125.92 days of rainfall.
- It came 3rd in the top ten of the UK’s safest cities for cycling.
- In 2022 there were 19 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Nottingham.
GLASGOW
As the most populated city in Scotland, Glasgow has 1,507 cycle routes and is very much geared towards the cyclist. In 2023 it was given the title ‘European City of Sport’ after hosting the UCI World Cycling Championships, and it’s home to the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, as well as over 9km of mountain bike trails.
It has a great cycle hire scheme and does city tours by bike; the 10-mile Glasgow Art Trail takes in the city’s notable works of art, including sculptures and murals.
The stats:
- Glasgow has an average temperature of 9.1°C and the West of Scotland has on average 196.85 days of rainfall.
- In 2022 there were 4 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Glasgow.
- Every year walking and cycling in Glasgow results in 24,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
MANCHESTER
While it doesn’t really compare to London when it comes to cycle-commuting, Manchester has 552 cycle routes and is committed to encouraging more people to cycle.
The GMCC (the Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign) organises social bike rides and has information on all kinds of cycling issues, from providing cycle routes to advice on road safety, and it campaigns for a better infrastructure, including more cycle paths, bike parking etc.
There are some great rides around Salford Quays, and along the canal out of the city; you can even ride along the TransPennine Trail to Liverpool, which is pretty much car-free.
Back-to-work days are an organised monthly ride that aims to help people become more confident cycling around the city, and they have a bike hire scheme where you pay as you ride.
The stats:
- Manchester has an average temperature of 9.6°C and has on average 170.75 days of rainfall.
- Every year, walking and cycling in Greater Manchester results in 58,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
- In 2022 there were 26 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Manchester.
CARDIFF
Flat and compact, Cardiff is ideal for cycling, with 13 cycle routes. The National Cycle Network means that there are miles of car-free cycle routes that connect with all the sightseeing areas; for example, you can cycle through the city and out to Cardiff Bay, stopping off at Cardiff Castle on the way.
There are a couple of options for hiring bikes, including the Next Bike app that lets you hire one of the 500 self-service bikes situated around the city, and Cardiff Pedal Power. Cardiff Cycle City are also campaigning for better bike storage around the city.
The stats:
- Cardiff has an average temperature of 11.1°C and has on average 153.39 days of rainfall.
- South Wales is 2nd on the list of the UK’s bike theft hotspots, with a predicted 1,729 in 2024.
- In 2022 there were 13 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Cardiff.
- Every year walking and cycling in Cardiff results in 17,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh has plenty of urban cycling opportunities, as well as green spaces. It has 2,750 cycle routes in and around the city, including up to Arthur’s Seat if you’re up to the challenge, or just through Holyrood Park if you fancy something a bit gentler. There are cycle paths and lanes, both on and off-road, throughout the city and its bike priority measures mean the city often makes it to the top of any list of cycle-friendly cities.
Edinburgh City Council introduced the Active Travel Action Plan in 2010 with the introduction of various cycling projects, including Brake the Cycle, a scheme set up to provide free bikes for the local community, and advice for how to use cycle/off-road paths alongside other users. There are also bike tours of the city, and plenty of opportunities to hire a bike.
The stats:
- Edinburgh has an average temperature of 9.5°C and has on average 128.25 days of rainfall.
- In 2022 there were 20 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Edinburgh.
- Every year walking and cycling in Edinburgh results in 42,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
BRISTOL
Named as the UK’s first Cycling City in 2008, Bristol has 2,613 cycle routes, it was also awarded the Green Capital Award in 2015, the first UK city to be given the title, because of its commitment to sustainability. It has plenty of initiatives available, including free loan bikes, cycle training, journey planners and suggested routes, both in and out of the city.
Bristol is a hub of the National Cycle Network, so there are lots of on and off-road cycle paths and bike parking facilities. You can easily hire a bike (or even a tandem), and a lot of the accommodation in the city is cycle-friendly.
The stats:
- Bristol has an average temperature of 10.9°C and has on average 135.8 days of rainfall.
- Every year, walking and cycling in Bristol results in 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
- In 2022 there were 52 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Bristol.
CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge is the quintessential cycling city; it’s mostly flat, it has a pedestrianised city centre that’s accessible to bikes, and it has segregated cycle lanes. It was the first place in the UK to have a ‘Dutch-Style’ roundabout that prioritises cyclists, and the university has a subsidised bus service – university students aren’t allowed to own a car in the city.
1 in 3 Cambridge residents cycle to work, and the city has 1,391 cycle routes. The surrounding area has plenty of flat fenland to cycle along, making it really popular with road cyclists. There is plenty of cycle parking – the station has a multi-storey cycle park – and it even has cycle bridges. There are lots of cycling clubs in the city too, both recreational and racing, and some exclusively for women and girls. There are also cycle training schemes for both children and adults.
The stats:
- Cambridge has an average temperature of 10.8°C and has on average 107.16 days of rainfall.
- Cambridge is 6th in the top ten of the UKs safest cities for cycling.
- Cambridgeshire is 7th on the list of the UK’s bike theft hotspots, with a predicted 1,384 in 2024.
- In 2022 there were 29 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Cambridge.
- Every year walking and cycling in Cambridge results in 27,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
OXFORD
Like its rival, Cambridge, Oxford is a popular cycling city, partly due to its student population. A 2018 Department of Transport study showed that 36.6% of residents cycle regularly – which is three times the UK average of 12%.
The Oxford Cycle City initiative, set up in 2012, is partly to thank for this. The scheme has introduced more cycle friendly routes, offers cycle training, and has improved the city’s cycle infrastructure, with plans in place to convert part of the city into a ‘mini Holland’.
There are 973 cycle routes in and around the city, and the council provides plenty of bicycle racks, child-friendly cycle routes and bicycle pumps, which are free to use and are situated around the city.
The stats:
- Oxford has an average temperature of 11°C and has on average 117.67 days of rainfall.
- In 2022 there were 33 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Oxford.
SOUTHAMPTON
In 2017 Southampton launched a ten-year initiative – The Southampton Cycle Network, to encourage people to leave their cars at home and choose more sustainable forms of travel. Its plan is to improve the cycling infrastructure and provide safe and easy routes for cyclists, whether they’re commuting or cycling for pleasure.
Southampton has 656 cycle routes, many of which are car-free, gentle routes that span the city and its surrounding areas. You can hire both pedal and e-bikes using the Beryl app. The council run cycle training and cycle safety sessions, as well as giving advice on cycle maintenance.
The stats:
- Southampton has an average temperature of 11.7°C and has on average 119.7 days of rainfall.
- In 2022 there were 19 reported road traffic accidents including cyclists in Southampton.
- Every year walking and cycling in Southampton results in 19,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions being saved.
Each of these cities offers a mix of urban and green spaces, hills and flats and a completely different way of seeing each city; it’s a completely different experience on a bike, whether you’re sightseeing or on your way to the office. (It’s a good idea to make sure you’re aware of the laws around cycling on the pavement.)
The safer we feel on our bikes, and on the roads, the more likely we are to get out there and explore and cycle insurance can also help us feel reassured. We have three different types of policy, each with standard benefits that include Theft, Loss and Accidental Damage, and Public Liability. You can then add some additional benefits, for example, you could include Gadget and Mobile Phone cover. Have a look at the website and get a quick and easy, no-strings quote.
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