What's the UK's best cycling city ?

[exbfb]

I don't imagine we have the equivalent of a Groningen over here, but do we have a jewel in the crown by our own standards ?

 

[Bigsharn]

York, apparently.

Having only ever cycled here and in Leeds, I couldn't really see a difference though.

 

[david k]

oxford? not sure its a city

 

[Wardy]

There was a recent survey in one of the mags and I think Bristol topped the list. Edinburgh featured very high too.

 

[Dayvo]

I heard Exeter was the best.

But I also heard that Bristol was, too!

So I'm wrong at least once.

 

[marinyork]

The campaign for better transport did a headline grabbing study a while back that for cycling & walking ranked various cities in this order:-

1 NOTTINGHAM
2 MANCHESTER
2 CAMBRIDGE
4 MILTON KEYNES
5 BRIGHTON AND HOVE
6 NEWCASTLE
6 BRISTOL
8 SOUTHAMPTON
8 PLYMOUTH
10 LONDON
10 LIVERPOOL
12 LEEDS
13 LEICESTER
13 LUTON
15 PETERBOROUGH
16 SUNDERLAND
17 BIRMINGHAM
18 COVENTRY
19 SHEFFIELD

If you're wondering why, the questions to decide this were

C1 Children who walk or cycle to school
Percent of children (aged 5-15) who walk or cycle
to school in each city

C2 Condition of footway
General condition of footpaths along main roads
(BVPI 187 Category 1 and 2 Footways) – using
a consistent approach specified by the Audit
Commission. Expressed as a percentage.

C3 Population within 15 minutes of city centre
by cycle
Percentage of households within 15 minutes
cycle of each city centre

C4 Percentage of journeys using bicycle during
commuter time journeys
Estimated percentage journeys during commuter
time (7am - 9.59am) by cycling

I would say the best cycling city is probably London.

 

[dellzeqq]

London. Simply because there are so many of us.

https://www.cyclechat.net/

 

[Glow worm]

The campaign for better transport did a headline grabbing study a while back that for cycling & walking ranked various cities in this order:-

1 NOTTINGHAM
2 MANCHESTER
2 CAMBRIDGE
4 MILTON KEYNES
5 BRIGHTON AND HOVE
6 NEWCASTLE
6 BRISTOL
8 SOUTHAMPTON
8 PLYMOUTH
10 LONDON
10 LIVERPOOL
12 LEEDS
13 LEICESTER
13 LUTON
15 PETERBOROUGH
16 SUNDERLAND
17 BIRMINGHAM
18 COVENTRY
19 SHEFFIELD

I'm Pleased to see Newcastle up at number 6. I've just been there for work and had to cycle fom the city's main station to a business park just west of Scotswood (only about 4 or 5 miles) and it was a brilliant ride. It was right alongside the river Tyne pretty much all the way (Route 72), mostly away from the road- v. enjoyable. Big thumbs up from me for the place all round really- seemed like a great city, only wish I'd had more time to explore further. Only downside was right at the end, trying to cycle up a road called Forth Banks, when rushing for a train on a Brompton, is not a great idea - especially for a Fenlander- that street must be about 1:3 !

I'd also nominate Birmingham- just for the network of canals enabling fast, pleasant riding into the place from all around. Peterborough is also pretty good- some nice routes along the river.

Bottom of my list would easily be London, although I am biased as I abslolutely loathe the place- you seem to need an extra sense there just to make sense of it all- mental. But rather cycle there than attempt to use their utterly shambolic public transport system.

 

[Hip Priest]

I'm Pleased to see Newcastle up at number 6. I've just been there for work and had to cycle fom the city's main station to a business park just west of Scotswood (only about 4 or 5 miles) and it was a brilliant ride. It was right alongside the river Tyne pretty much all the way (Route 72), mostly away from the road- v. enjoyable. Big thumbs up from me for the place all round really- seemed like a great city, only wish I'd had more time to explore further. Only downside was right at the end, trying to cycle up a road called Forth Banks, when rushing for a train on a Brompton, is not a great idea - especially for a Fenlander- that street must be about 1:3 !

Forth Banks! Kudos to you my friend. I've yet to brave it. I've known people refuse to go up there on foot.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Forth Banks! Kudos to you my friend. I've yet to brave it. I've known people refuse to go up there on foot.

Looks pretty steep, but it doesn't look very long, FOURTH BANKS, or is there more too it?

 

[stevetailor125]

Leicester 13th, no wonder I only skirt round the outer edges

 

[Piemaster]

My fair city of Hull not featured at all? PAH! Perhaps its just because we just get on with getting about, with one of the highest percentages of cycle use.

 

[Red Light]

The campaign for better transport did a headline grabbing study a while back that for cycling & walking ranked various cities in this order:-

1 NOTTINGHAM
2 MANCHESTER
2 CAMBRIDGE
4 MILTON KEYNES
5 BRIGHTON AND HOVE
6 NEWCASTLE
6 BRISTOL
8 SOUTHAMPTON
8 PLYMOUTH
10 LONDON
10 LIVERPOOL
12 LEEDS
13 LEICESTER
13 LUTON
15 PETERBOROUGH
16 SUNDERLAND
17 BIRMINGHAM
18 COVENTRY
19 SHEFFIELD

I've cycled in quite a few of those cities and would say the list is crap. Nottingham top? No way. Southampton better than London? Not in a month of Sundays.

Personally I think London is the best because you feel you a meant to cycle there. Cambridge has lots of people cycling but the Council, taxis, bus and police do their best to discourage it.

 

[slowmotion]

I can't make a comparison because I've only cycled in one city on the list. Riding in London does have a certain "je ne sais quoi" though....a really enjoyable buzz, and motorists who are , almost without exception, very considerate.

 

[gaz]

Personally I think London is the best because you feel you a meant to cycle there.

LOL you are joking right? Any form of transportation in London is hard work and busy.