Southampton has been crowned the best city in England for cycling, ahead of Newcastle and Cambridge.
A study of 2,000 bikers found those in the southern city highlighted good cycle lanes (54 per cent), signage (48 per cent) and plenty of parking (43 per cent) as reasons why their hometown is best.
However, it isn’t all smooth sailing as 30 per cent also complained about discourteous drivers on the roads.
Meanwhile, Brighton and Hove and London completed the top five best cities for cyclists.
It also emerged 57 per cent of all cyclists polled have explored getting out on their bikes more often as a result of rising petrol prices, whereas 74 per cent have got into it to keep fit.
The research, commissioned by Halfords [https://www.halfords.com/bikes/electric-bikes/], also revealed Newcastle is the UK's two-wheel commuter capital - with 91 per cent of the cyclists polled using either bikes or e-bikes as their main way to get to work.
Meanwhile, Birmingham came at the top for e-bike commuting - with 39 per cent commuting to work on an e-bike at least some of the time.
Pippa Wibberley, director of cycling for the brand said: “Cycling is great for the environment – and your legs - and with plenty of traffic on the roads, it can sometimes be quicker than getting in a car.
“But it seems some cities are better suited to bikes being on the road than others – it is clear the key is good cycle lanes and courteous drivers.”
“It can be easy to miss a cyclist when pulling out at junctions, so as a driver you should be checking more than once to make sure the coast is clear.”
The study also found 56 per cent of cyclists said the biggest barrier preventing them from using their bike to get to work is the distance, whereas 29 per cent moan about turning up sweaty.
More than a third (36 per cent) of those who do not currently cycle to work said they would gladly pedal to the office - if only their boss provided a shower.
Meanwhile, 30 per cent blamed a severe lack of secure workplace bike storage.
The OnePoll.com study found when confronted with the nightmare of sweaty clothes, 45 per cent of bikers said upgrading to an e-bike would make them more likely to get in the saddle to work.
But while potholes are most commonly associated with car damage, 65 per cent of cyclists polled claim it’s also an issue for them when it comes to cycling in their city - with those residing in Leeds and Leicester noticing them more than anyone else.
Meanwhile, almost half of Mancunians (53 per cent) have picked up damage to their bike or injured themselves as a result of going over a pothole when cycling.
Pippa Wibberley from Halfords added: “There is clearly a growing appetite across the UK for cycling, whether it be to work or leisure.”
“But there’s still work to be done to help those who are keen, whether that’s employers stepping up by providing showers at work, or councils tackling the ongoing pothole problem on our streets.”
“We want to empower Brits across the country to embrace the bike or e-bike, bettering their own wellness and health through the release of endorphins and exercise.”
TOP 10 CITIES FOR CYCLING:
1. Southampton
2. Newcastle
3. Cambridge
4. Brighton and Hove
5. London
6. Manchester
7. Bristol
8. Birmingham
9. Sheffield
10. Glasgow
