Bristol was named the UK's first official Cycling City in June 2008, and it still has one of the better cycling networks outside London, built around the traffic-free Bristol and Bath Railway Path. It's a hilly city, though, so don't expect it to be effortless, and if you're not bringing your own bike, check what's currently available before you rely on hiring one.
Is Bristol a good city to cycle in?
Yes, with a caveat: it's hilly. The centre, harbourside and the routes out toward Bath are manageable on an ordinary bike, but head up toward Clifton, Redland or Totterdown and you'll be working for it. An e-bike takes the sting out of the hills if you're not used to them. On the plus side, Bristol has invested in cycling infrastructure for years and has a genuinely useful traffic-free network for getting out of the city, not just around it.
The best routes
Bristol and Bath Railway Path
This is the route most people mean when they talk about cycling in Bristol. It's a 15-mile, fully traffic-free, tarmacked path that follows an old railway line from Lawrence Hill in east Bristol, through Easton, Fishponds and Staple Hill, out through Mangotsfield, Warmley, Bitton and Saltford, and into Bath. It was built by the cycling charity Sustrans, starting in the late 1970s, and is part of National Cycle Network Route 4. It's flat, well surfaced and about as beginner-friendly as cycling routes get: no traffic to worry about, just other cyclists, joggers and dog walkers to share the path with. Allow a few hours each way if you're riding the full length at a relaxed pace, or just do a section. The stretch through Easton and Fishponds makes a good short loop from the city centre.
Harbourside and the Avon New Cut
For a shorter, scenic ride, the paths around the Floating Harbour and along the Avon New Cut toward Southville and Bedminster give you a flat, mostly traffic-free route with good views and plenty of places to stop. It connects reasonably well into the wider network if you want to extend the ride.
Getting out to the countryside
East Bristol effectively acts as the launch pad for routes out into the surrounding countryside, whether that's the Railway Path toward Bath or quieter lanes further out. If you want a half-day ride rather than a lap of the city, this is the direction to head.
Getting started if you don't already cycle
Better By Bike, a scheme run by the local councils across the West of England, offers route planning, cycle training for adults who want to build confidence, and free loan bikes (including electric, hybrid and folding models) for people who want to try cycling before committing to buying one. It's a genuinely useful starting point if you're nervous about riding in traffic or haven't been on a bike in years.
Hiring a bike without owning one
Bristol's on-street shared bike and e-bike scheme is currently run by Dott, alongside their e-scooters, rather than the docked bike-share schemes you'll find in some other UK cities. Because operators and schemes do change over time, it's worth checking what's currently running rather than assuming a particular brand or scheme is still active. We've covered how the current e-scooter and e-bike scheme works, including pricing, in a dedicated guide.
If you'd rather hire a conventional bike for a day out, several independent bike shops around the city offer rentals, particularly near the Harbourside and along the Railway Path route, though stock and pricing vary shop to shop so it's worth calling ahead.
Cycling and public transport together
If you don't want to cycle the whole way somewhere, you can combine cycling with the bus or train for longer trips. See our guide to getting around Bristol for how cycling fits alongside buses, ferries and the Park and Ride, and our guide to Bristol Park and Ride if you're planning to drive in and cycle the last stretch.
Safety and practical tips
- Lights are a legal requirement after dark: front white, rear red, and it's worth having them even for dusk rides given Bristol's unpredictable weather.
- Lock up properly. Bike theft happens in most UK cities and Bristol is no exception; a decent D-lock through the frame and a fixed point is worth the investment.
- The hills catch people out. If you're new to Bristol, plan routes that follow the harbourside, the Railway Path or the flat sections of the New Cut before you tackle Park Street or Clifton's inclines.
- Not all routes are traffic-free. The Railway Path and harbourside paths are, but plenty of on-road cycling in Bristol shares space with buses and traffic, particularly on major routes into the centre.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Bristol and Bath Railway Path? It's 15 miles (24km) one way, running from Lawrence Hill in Bristol to Newbridge near Bath. It's flat, traffic-free and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 4.
Is there a docked bike-share scheme in Bristol like London's Santander Cycles? Not currently in the traditional docked sense. Bristol's shared bike and scooter hire is run through Dott's dockless e-scooter and e-bike scheme. Hire schemes change over time, so check what's currently operating before you plan around one.
Can I get a free bike to try cycling in Bristol? Better By Bike, the local councils' cycling scheme, offers free loan bikes, including electric and folding models, for people who want to try cycling before buying. It also runs adult cycle training if you want to build confidence.
Is Bristol too hilly for cycling? Not if you plan your route. The Harbourside, the New Cut and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path are all flat or gently graded. The hills mostly kick in heading toward Clifton, Redland, Totterdown and other neighbourhoods on higher ground.
Where does the Bristol and Bath Railway Path start? At Trinity Street, Lawrence Hill, on the edge of central Bristol, close to Temple Meads.
Do I need to worry about traffic on the main cycling routes? On the Railway Path and most of the harbourside paths, no, they're traffic-free. Elsewhere in the city you'll be sharing road space with buses and cars, so normal road cycling precautions apply.