Best cycling large town / city in the UK?

[Cornwallintherain]

Good morning everyone and happy Friday!

I've woken up with a fizzy spring in my step because we've decided to relocate.

We want to live somewhere with the best designated cycle path network in the UK. (I don't like cycling on the road. I've been hit by a car before and I don't wish to be again!) . I want to cycle safely to the shops, town / city centre and cycle along the river or country park etc.

Can anyone recommend their own towns or cities? Or suburbs?

Anywhere from John O Groats to Exeter. (I can't say Lands End as I already live in Cornwall!)

Edinburgh. You can go all over the place without having to cycle on the road. There are old railway paths that criss cross through the city, a path alongside a river, bike paths that go around Arthur's Seat and everywhere else. It's hilly, though, and cold and windy in the winter. Plus the government is insane.

Milton Keynes? It has a extensive cyclicng network.

I think York is fairly cycle friendly. I don’t know if it’s the best but maybe worth considering.

following with interest

Cambridge

Can’t comment on how safe it is but Cambridge is full of cyclists. There are certainly bikes everywhere but not quite sure how this translates into safe routes for them. Huge cycle parks at the out of town park and ride which I’ve never seen elsewhere in the UK. So presumably people cycle in to there from further afield.

I’m in Manchester which will sadly be towards the bottom of your list. It is improving at a snail’s pace.

Yep. But notably it’s very car -unfriendly. Like Cambridge it’s mostly flat which is a good start.

So many good suggestions already! I'm intrigued about MK as I just didn't expect it (I don't know why!!)

I love York, Cambridge and Edinburgh!

Lots to think about

London?

Cambridge!

Without a doubt Leicester, which is kind of famous for its cycling infrastructure these days. It hosts visitors from councils all over the country (and from other countries) who come to look at the way it's doing it. Good, largely very well-designed segregated cycle lanes criss-cross the city, and more are constantly being built. The council is VERY proactive when it comes to active travel solutions.

There is a lots of investment in cycling (and walking) at the moment but it's very hit and miss across the country.

Leeds
Bournemouth and Poole
Bristol

London has by far the best cycling infastructure in the country but sounds like you want somewhere smaller. I would also say Cambridge if that's the case, seems like it's avoided the war between drivers and pedestrians/cyclists which is currently engulfing Oxford.

Cambridge! Look at Chesterton if you want to be able to cycle along a tow path to the city centre. If you want a village then Milton or Waterbeach further out along the tow path. Or there is the guided busway that has a cycle path running alongside it that is very well used. There is conflict between cyclists and drivers in Cambridge (as everywhere) but it is totally normal to cycle everywhere and largely there is the infrastructure (cycle paths, cycle racks and cycle parks) to support it. Nowhere near as good as Netherlands or Scandinavia though sadly!

So you're going to relocate your entire life based on your ability to cycle ?

Not jobs, not property prices, no location to family or friends, not where your kids may get good schools or dog walks, or proximity to transport for holidays or for retirement facilities.

But cycling.

OK, so if you are serious then why bother with a city at all ? Loads of fumes. Loads of cars vans and buses to knock you over. Just go for a place in the middle of nowhere.

Basingstoke is cycling and walking friendly with a good network of separate paths

I don't think this is true re: London - although some areas of London are well-served with decent cycle lanes, others are horrendous. Kensington & Chelsea is absolutely terrible for cycling. It makes journeys across the city (which I do at least two or three times a week) really disjointed and horrible.

By far the best city for cycling I've seen is Leicester. Routes seem very well connected although it's a work in progress of course. I didn't think much to cycling in Cambridge. Although there are a lot of cyclists there, well-designed fully segregated cycle lanes aren't as common as in Leicester. York used to be horrible for cycling but that was when I lived there years ago - might be much improved now.

True, you're right on this. Definitely depends on which London borough you're in, some are great for active travel and others are awful. Have never been to Leicester but sounds like it's time for a visit with my bike.

Yeah, it's always going to be the case when different boroughs have such different priorities I suppose. It's such a shame though! I don't know why RBKC are so averse to offering decent routes. I hate it when I have to head that way for work.

And yep I recommend paying Leicester a visit. I don't live there myself but have friends who do and have visited a fair bit for both work and leisure. Very impressed by the place.

Milton Keynes, famouse for its Red Ways,

I keep meaning to go and explore the cycle network in Milton Keynes. It's intriguing because the roads are built on a grid system like New York. Many of these roads don't have pavements/cycle paths running alongside nor can you see residential areas from the grid, so I can only imagine that there is an entirely separate network of cycle paths and small roads linking up all the residential areas and the big busy roads are kept separate by large hilly verges.

If anyone can explain it to me I'd love to know how it works!

Cambridge. It's flat, lots of cycle parking, cycle lanes (and more to come) and cycle routes. It's also one of the driest cities so makes cycling doable all year.

There's no need to be an ass @GasPanic - we're relocating due to work actually. But since everywhere has more jobs than Cornwall - we can pick and choose.

Unfortunately can't afford London! Otherwise we would have moved there ages ago

Just go for a place in the middle of nowhere = I'm in the middle of nowhere and it's depressing with no jobs, nothing, sweet fuck all.

Large town / city / suburbs = jobs. Hence why I asked. Thought that was obvious but nevermind 😂

Thanks everyone else for the replies. Definitely intrigued with MK and Cambridge!

@ReallyShouldBeDoingSomethingElse Why does this intrigue me so much? Sounds oddly cool!

I completely understand making lifestyle a big factor in where you choose to relocate.

Before having DC I used my bike as my primary form of transport, cycling 10 miles a day to get to the train station and back as part of my commute, cycling into town to meet friends for the evening, to the shops etc. My DD loves riding her bike but our local roads are just not safe enough as they're bendy and hilly and people drive fast round corners not knowing what's ahead.

I'd love to live somewhere where we could enjoy cycling day to day.