Cycling

With miles of canals and a compact city centre, what better way to explore Birmingham and the wider region than by bicycle?

Cycling routes

The Birmingham Cycle Revolution team has selected thier favourite traffic free city cycling routes to suit all ages and abilities. Many of the chosen paths and routes have recently benefited from improvements and developments made through the Birmingham Cycle Revolution project, and there’s more to come!

Try the cycle route function on Google Maps. Search for your area, hover over “Satellite” at the top right and in the drop-down menu click on “Bicycling” for a map showing off-road trails, bike lanes and bike-friendly roads.

Designed by cyclists, www.cyclestreets.net not only plots a route but shows the number of traffic lights you’ll cross, the calories you’ll burn and the time of your journey (taking account of hills).

Cycle parking

Open this map to see where you can park your bicycle safely.

Some handy tips for locking and safeguarding your bicycle can be found here.

Travelling on public transport with a bike

Network West Midlands have information on regional train operators and any restrictions they have for carrying bicycles on trains here.
And information about cycling facilities at stations such as lockers and stands can be found here.

No wheels? Hire a bike

West Midlands Cycle Hire

West Midlands Cycle Hire is now available across Birmingham city centre and along the A38 cycling route to Edgbaston. You can hire a bike using your smartphone from over 50 docks at key locations across the city including train, bus, metro stops and places of interest. Once you’ve finished your ride just park it back into the nearest dock. All docking stations can be found on our app, which also tells you how many bikes are currently available to hire and if there’s space available to park.

Bikes are charged at 5p per minute plus a £1 unlock fee, meaning if you hire for 30mins it will cost £2.50. For more details or to download the app visit www.wmcyclehire.co.uk/beryl

Brompton Bike Hire

Brompton Bike Hire is the first scheme of its kind in Birmingham, and is an affordable, flexible, self-service bike hire scheme right in the city centre.

Brompton folding bikes are currently available to hire from docks near Birmingham New Street, Moor Street, Snow Hill, Brindleyplace, Birmingham Airport and Aston University.

The ingenious folding nature of the bikes means they can be taken on public transport, even at peak times, making them ideal for integrating cycling into a commute or simply for getting around the city on business or pleasure.

Hiring a Brompton bike is easy - simply register by visiting www.bromptonbikehire.com and then choose a tariff. Once registered, bike hire is as little as £2.50 a day for frequent users or £5.00 a day for leisure users.

Cycle Chain

Cycle Chain are now have bikes available to hire from Cambrain Wharf
£3.00 per hour or £12.00 per day (terms and conditions apply)
Call 07547 587050 or email cyclechainbikehire@gmail.com

On Your Bike

You can also hire bikes from On Your Bike here.

For much more cycling information including cycling for children & schools, safer cycling, cycle training and sport cycling visit Birmingham City Council's extensive cycling section here.