Cycling is a huge part of what makes Bristol a great place to live and work. Bristol is the UK’s first Cycling City, and has been the recipient of funding to make the city the most cycle-friendly in the country.
There are many cycle lanes throughout Bristol, and the city is home to Sustrans, the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Sustrans was formed in Bristol in 1977, and the first Sustrans sponsored cycle route was the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, a 17-mile traffic-free trail along a disused railway. Now Sustrans is responsible for the National Cycle Network, which links safe cycling routes throughout the country.
Although hilly, Bristol is great for cyclists, and a short ride out of the city takes people to the Ashton Court Estate, a hugely popular location for mountain bike riders.
Each year Bristol City Council sponsors Bristol’s Biggest Bike Ride, an event designed to encourage cycling. A number of routes for cyclists of all abilities allow people to give cycling a try for the day. The Portway is closed to traffic, and some riders range as far as Clevedon and back.
Every year Bristol hosts the Bristol Cycle Festival, a two week community event designed to promote the fun of cycling.
