The UK starts from a very car-based culture, but major cities — London above all — are investing heavily in cycling. The network is being built at high speed, with sometimes bold choices and a real battle for safety.
London and cycle superhighways
London has deployed cycle superhighways (and Quietways): cycle paths often separated, signposted, connecting neighborhoods to the center. Usage has soared, and the city continues to expand and secure the network. It's the British spearhead.
An urban network in transformation
Beyond London, cities like Manchester, Cambridge (historical champion) or Bristol are developing their cycle lanes. Quality remains patchy: between exemplary separated paths and simple painted lines, the experience varies strongly depending on the city and route.
Left-hand driving and safety
Cycling in the UK means dealing with left-hand driving and dense traffic. Physical separation and protected intersections are all the more crucial for safety — this is the heart of debates about British infrastructure.
