From iconic sights to touring the flavours of Britain’s cities, visitors can hop on a cycle for a fun and eco-friendly way to explore our cultural hubs. With docking stations dotted around city centres, electric cycles for some extra pedal power and even party bikes – it’s never been easier to ride round Britain’s cities on two wheels.
To celebrate World Bicycle Day on 3 June 2023, here’s some tours and pedal-powered adventures which allow visitors to discover a different perspective of Britain’s cities…
London
Whether a visitor is zipping past London’s iconic sights or venturing further into its wild nature – Britain’s capital city has a wealth of trails and tours to explore. Take to the Thames Path for landmark spotting along the largely traffic free route. For a jolly time on two wheels, visitors can take to the streets of London with ice and a slice on a gin safari, or find their inner artist while trying their hand at graffiti on the Landmarks and Gems tour. Discover the city’s streets at dusk, or uncover London’s hidden spots for a tour with a difference.
Visitors can grab one of 12,000 Santander Cycles from around 800 docking stations across London, with rental rates starting at £2. For some more pedal power, visitors can hop on an electric Lime bike, accessible through an app with a variable cost tariff.
Birmingham
With its vast waterways and flourishing nature – Birmingham is best explored by bike. Sweet smelling aromas of chocolate and the vibrant gardens of Cannon Hill Park make up Birmingham’s chocolate trail. The route travels through the city’s iconic home of Cadbury’s chocolate, following part of the Rea Valley Cycle route and the Birmingham and Worcester Canal. Or visitors can venture to the places that inspired J.R.R Tolkien on a self-guided tour – keep an eye out for events across the city for shared fun on two wheels. For a popping party, visitors can take to Downtown Birmingham aboard a party bike or join a social mixer for a tour of the city’s pubs and bars.
There are 50 docks conveniently located across the city with West Midlands cycle hire. Visitors can pick up a cycle using their smart phone, charged at 5p per minute with a £1 unlocking fee.
Brighton
Look no further than Brighton for a cruising journey along pebbled shorelines and cliff top paths. Staying in the city, visitors can jump on a tandem from Brighton Beach bikes for a shared ride past the iconic pier and colourful beach huts. Or glide past the city’s sights on the Grand Coastal tour – there’s even a stop at international DJ FatBoy Slim’s Big Beach Café! Avid cyclists can take to Sussex’s rolling countryside: with a climb once attempted during the Tour de France, Ditchling Beacon provides stunning panoramic views of the ancient Weald, and beyond.
Visitors can cycle Brighton’s streets on a BTN Bike, located at docking stations around the city and charged at 4p per minute with a £1 unlocking fee.
Bristol
As Britain’s first cycling city, Bristol has plenty of routes explore by bike. Following the Bristol Docks Loop will lead visitors through the vibrant city centre to the Cumberland Basin, boasting a jaw-dropping perspective of the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. Pick up the adrenaline with the Avon Timberland cycling trail – starting from Ashton Court Estate visitors can hire a mountain bike and find their wild side zipping through historic woodlands.
Bristol Cycle Shack offers bike hire starting from £15 per day, with the option to pick up a tandem for a two-person journey through the city. Visitors can glide through Bristol’s sights with some added power on an electric bike, prices starting at £45.
Manchester
Visitors can take to Manchester’s 55 miles of protected cycleway for an eco-friendly way to explore the city’s diverse food scene and cultural hotspots. For a leisurely canal-side cycle with some big attractions, visitors can join the Ashton Canal Cycleway – starting at Piccadilly Gardens, the route passes Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and the National Cycling Centre, Britain’s first indoor cycling track. Adventurers can pick up part of the Trans Pennine Trail: spanning the width of England, it passes through Manchester, with visitors able to cycle alongside the River Mersey to Chorlton Water Park for woodlands and water sports.
Visitors can expect to find more than 200 stations, 1,200 pedal bikes and 300 e-bikes in Manchester, Salford and Trafford from summer 2022 with Bee Network Cycle hire – prices start at 50p to unlock and 5p per minute to ride.
Liverpool
Take in the home of The Beatles from a different perspective on a music-themed ride past Liverpool’s famous Penny Lane, Strawberry Field and John Lennon’s house. Aboard an e-bike, visitors can see the places that inspired the band that rocked the 1960s. For a saddle-based experience touring Liverpool’s taprooms, visitors can join the Pub Crawl Tour. The Liverpool Loop Line is ideal for families or those seeking a tranquil adventure in the city’s countryside. For a peek at a world-class football stadium, visitors can glide past Liverpool’s Anfield following the Liverpool City Centre to Walton route.
Liverpool’s citybike scheme offers bike hire from stations across the city, priced at a £1 unlocking fee and 25p per minute. With a choice of pedal bikes and e-bikes, visitors can pick the most convenient way for them to see the city sights.
Cardiff
For a ride that leads visitors past historic castles, blooming parks and alongside Cardiff’s waterfront, explore the Taff Trail. Visitors can zip past Wales’ largest theatre or stop off to see a performance, as well as gliding past the home of Welsh football and rugby – the Principality Stadium. For a traffic free waterside route, visitors can follow the circular Cardiff Bay Trail and pick up an ice-cream along the way.
Over 200 OVO bikes fill Cardiff’s streets for visitors to rent via an app – with both pedal and e-bikes available. Prices for hire start at £1 per half an hour. Accessible bikes can be picked up from Cardiff Bay and Pontcanna Fields via Pedal Power.
Edinburgh
From city to coast, Edinburgh has cycle routes for all abilities. Visitors can pick up National Cycle Network’s Route 75 from St Andrew’s Square, travelling down the Union Canal and stopping at Colinton Tunnel – Britain’s longest continuous mural full of colourful creative vibes. For a peaceful venture out into nature, visitors can join A Wee Pedal for a mindful cycle, or taste the flavours of Edinburgh’s hops on a Bikes, Beers and Brewery tour. Ricky’s Bicycle Tours take visitors to the heights of Arthur’s Seat and the shores of Leith. Or discover city centre adventures on two wheels with Edinburgh Bike Tours for hidden trails and city icons.
Visitors can also choose to hire a road, electric or mountain bike from Cycle Scotland with prices starting from £25 per day.
Glasgow
A city with more than 185 miles of cycleways and an abundance of cycling tours, getting out on two wheels provides an alternative perspective of Glasgow. A ride along the River Clyde takes visitors on the National Cycle Network’s Route 75 – found just a stone’s throw away from Glasgow Central train station. Or for an inner-city journey, follow Route 756 leading to Kelvingrove Park – swing by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for unique exhibitions and art collections. Glasgow Bike Tours host a wealth of cycle adventures, from a city-wide sightseeing tour to dipping into the malty flavours of Glaswegian whisky.
Starting at £1 per hour with a £10-day rate – visitors can hop on a pedal or e-bike from OVO bikes to explore the city centre.