The UK’s cycling infrastructure is lagging behind its European counterparts, according to an analysis by PeopleForBikes.

It has included the UK in its city ratings for the first time, assessing 89 cities in 2024. UK cities received an average score of 60 out of a possible 100, slightly lower than the rest of Europe with cities scoring an average of 64.

PeopleForBikes was first established in 2017. Its city ratings tool scores and measures the quality and connectivity of each city’s cycle network, including its protected cycle lanes and bike paths, along with its low speed limits and safe crossings for people on bikes.

The UK’s top-rated cities were also found to have low speed limits (20mph) on roads connecting neighbourhoods and offer their residents multiple safe routes to everyday destinations. High-scoring cities also feature good connections to neighbouring cities via protected bike lanes and off-street paths, including across bridges.

In terms of major cities, Birmingham lagged behind...