Plymouth named UK’s most bike-friendly city

It may have a way to go before it rivals Amsterdam but Plymouth has been named as the UK’s most bike-friendly city. Big cycling cities like London and Cambridge, however, languished in towards the bottom of the list.

Researchers ranked the cities on a range of criteria, including the numbers bike thefts, accidents, cycle routes and bike-repair centres. Despite the best efforts of the “cycling Mayor”, the City of London came out at number 50, with Greater London in 56th, partly fuelled by the prevalence of bicycle theft.

And Cambridge, where the wheels very quickly came off an early attempt at a “Boris Bike” system, was even lower in 60th place.

Graeme Tones of Virgin Money, which released the research today, said: “Cycling continues to increase in popularity and is a major contributor to improving general health and easing traffic congestion. Government and local councils are doing their best to help more of us to get on our bikes through tax incentives, cycle parks and cycle paths.

“Every town and city in the top 60 can be pleased. Reducing the level of accidents and serious injuries requires responsibility from cyclists, care from drivers and the desire from towns and cities to make it easy and safe for people to get on their bikes.”