5 bike-friendly cities

5

Bike-friendly

As more people are now enjoying the benefi ts of cycling, the need for cycle routes and infrastructure grows – especially in our cities. More safe passages and cycle paths can help to encourage us all to keep up this new pastime, whether you’re a fi tness fanatic on a mountain bike or simply want to gently ride on an electric bike.

But which UK city is already the best for cyclists? Data from Leisure Lakes Bikes has revealed the top fi ve bike-friendly cities to peddle round – why not get in the saddle when you’re next on a trip near these cities in your motorhome?

cities

Glasgow

York

With 900 cycle routes, amounting to 59,305km of mapped ways, York places fi fth on the ranking of best cycling city in the UK. The northern cathedral city has a great network of off-road cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes for cyclists. There’s also an extensive availability of cycle parking facilities across the city, including at shopping centres, schools, and offi ces.

If you’re looking for a fun route to cycle in York, we’d recommend cycling from York Minster along the River Ouse towards Beningbrough Hall. You’ll enjoy seeing the historic city before easing into an idyllic green space with fantastic water scenes.

Glasgow is the most populated city in Scotland, so it’s great to see that the city has 912 cycling routes and 82,340km of mapped ways. The city is renowned for its culture of sport and music, hosting gigs from the biggest names in the music industry, as well as the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the fi rst European Championships in 2018. Now, the city can also be known for its cycling accessibility. 5 Want to see some more of Glasgow? Hop on your bike and cycle from Glasgow Green, alongside the River Clyde before joining the Forth and Clyde Canal. You’ll see a range of great Glaswegian monuments, including the Clyde Arc Bridge and George Square. 4

3

Bristol

Bristol is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations and also held the title for the best city to live in in 2014 and 2017. Perhaps the high number of cycle routes contributed to its achievement? Placing third in the UK, there are 1,612 cycling routes in Bristol with 96,947km of mapped ways. As cycling is one of the most sustainable methods of transport, it’s unsurprising that this cyclingmad city was also awarded the European Green Capital Award in 2015.

The Bristol and Bath Railway Path is one of the most famous cycling routes in the country. At 15 miles long, this off-road cycle path is part of the National Cycle Network. Using the old Midland Railway track, you’ll find art, monuments, and remnants of the old train line along this route that connects Bristol and Bath. >>

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2

London

The UK capital narrowly misses out on also being the cycling capital, placing second as the most bikefriendly city. London has 1,730 cycling routes and 223,429km of mapped ways – meaning it comes out on top in terms of mapped ways. Cycling is an incredibly popular option for working professionals in the city, and as such, it has the infrastructure to match.

If you fancy practising some quality metropolitan cycling, London has no shortage of routes. One scenic route that will help break you into London cycling is King’s Cross to Notting Hill. Don’t bother getting the Underground – enjoy seeing Camden Lock, the zoo in Regent’s Park, and the waterside by Little Venice. What’s a trip to London without some sightseeing?

1Edinburgh

Beating its southern counterpart, Edinburgh takes the top spot as the most bike-friendly city in the UK. The data reveals that there are 1,751 cycling routes in the Scottish capital with 164,913km of mapped ways. cycling routes in the Scottish capital with 164,913km of mapped ways. With a range of bike priority measures, Edinburgh is shaping up to be With a range of bike priority measures, Edinburgh is shaping up to be the best and safest cities in the UK for cycling. You can enjoy off-road the best and safest cities in the UK for cycling. You can enjoy off-road and on-road cycle paths and lanes throughout the city. and on-road cycle paths and lanes throughout the city. There’s a great mix of urban and green space to enjoy too. From pedalling around Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle to heading pedalling around Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle to heading up into the majestic Pentland Hills or speeding along the shoreline, up into the majestic Pentland Hills or speeding along the shoreline, exploring Edinburgh on two wheels is endless fun. exploring Edinburgh on two wheels is endless fun.

Parts of this article were kindly supplied by Leisure Lake Bikes, www.leisurelakesbikes.com