Southampton has been crowned the best city in England for cycling, according to a new study that surveyed 2,000 cyclists. The city topped the list ahead of Newcastle and Cambridge, with Brighton and Hove and London completing the top five.
Why Southampton Won
Cyclists highlighted excellent cycle lanes (54%), clear signage (48%), and ample parking (43%) as key reasons for Southampton's top ranking. However, 30% of respondents complained about discourteous drivers on the roads.
Rising Fuel Prices Boost Cycling
Nearly three in five (57%) of all cyclists polled have considered cycling more often due to rising petrol prices, while 74% have taken up cycling to keep fit.
Newcastle: Commuter Capital
The research, commissioned by Halfords, revealed that Newcastle is the UK's two-wheel commuter capital, with 91% of cyclists using bikes or e-bikes as their main way to get to work. Birmingham topped the list for e-bike commuting, with 39% commuting on an electric bike at least some of the time.
Barriers to Cycling
Pippa Wibberley, director of cycling for Halfords, said: "Cycling is great for the environment – and your legs – and with plenty of traffic on the roads, it can sometimes be quicker than getting in a car. But it seems some cities are better suited to bikes being on the road than others – it is clear the key is good cycle lanes and courteous drivers."
The study found that 56% of cyclists cited distance as the biggest barrier to commuting by bike, while 29% complained about arriving sweaty. More than a third (36%) of non-commuting cyclists said they would ride to work if their boss provided a shower, and 30% cited a lack of secure bike storage at the office.
E-bikes and Potholes
When confronted with sweaty clothes, 45% of bikers said upgrading to an e-bike would make them more likely to cycle to work. Potholes were also a major issue, with 65% of cyclists claiming it affects their cycling. Residents of Leeds and Leicester noticed potholes the most, and almost half of Mancunians (53%) have damaged their bike or hurt themselves after hitting a pothole.
Growing Appetite for Cycling
Wibberley added: "There is clearly a growing appetite across the UK for cycling, whether it be to work or leisure. But there’s still work to be done to help those who are keen, whether that’s employers stepping up by providing showers at work, or councils tackling the ongoing pothole problem on our streets."
Top 10 Cities for Cycling
- Southampton
- Newcastle
- Cambridge
- Brighton and Hove
- London
- Manchester
- Bristol
- Birmingham
- Sheffield
- Glasgow
