Portsmouth ranks among lower UK cities for cycling routes, new study finds
Portsmouth has been named one of the UK’s least bike-friendly towns, according to new research exploring where cyclists have the greatest access to easy and intermediate cycling routes.
Cycling continues to grow across the UK as more people look for low cost, healthy and flexible ways to get around or unwind. Whether it’s a short weekend ride or a longer scenic route, more people are turning to two wheels as a simple way to stay active and explore their local area.
The study, carried out by Betmaster, analysed more than 100 towns and cities using a dataset of over 32,000 cycling routes. Only routes classed as easy or intermediate were included, focusing on those suitable for everyday riders rather than specialists.
Portsmouth ranks 78th overall, offering 8.74 cycling routes per 10,000 people. While the city does provide some cycling options, the overall availability of easy and intermediate routes is more limited compared with many other UK locations in the study.
As a compact coastal city, Portsmouth’s built-up environment and dense urban layout mean dedicated cycling routes can be less extensive, with riders often relying on shared roads or travelling further afield to access more varied routes.
Cities such as Horsham, Hinckley, Barnsley, Winchester and Chichester lead the rankings, benefiting from stronger links to surrounding countryside and more extensive route networks. In contrast, Portsmouth sits in the lower half of the table, reflecting more limited access to everyday cycling routes.
At the bottom of the ranking, Worcester and Swansea record the lowest availability of cycling routes per capita, followed closely by several major cities including Brighton and Hove and Leicester. The results highlight a clear divide between towns with strong countryside access and dense urban areas with fewer dedicated routes.
The findings suggest Portsmouth’s cycling offer is more constrained by urban structure, with fewer easily accessible leisure routes for casual riders compared with higher-ranking locations.
List of the most bike-friendly UK cities:
Rank Area Bike rides per 10,000 people
1 Horsham 184.18
2 Hinckley 131.72
3 Barnsley 120.27
4 Winchester 109.71
5 Chichester 93.69
6 Stafford 92.64
7 Canterbury 90.56
8 Rotherham 81.63
9 Ashford 74.00
10 Rugby 71.69