A new study by Cartridge Save set out to uncover just that. They analysed over 100 towns and cities across the UK to find out where cycling is truly taking off as a mainstream mode of commuting.
The rankings were built using the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), specifically looking at the percentage of employed individuals in England and Wales who listed cycling as their main way of getting to work.
To give a full UK picture, comparable figures for Scotland and Northern Ireland were pulled from their respective national statistics bodies, Scottish Government Statistics and NISRA, and combined to form a final league table of the country’s biggest bike-commuting hotspots.
Unsurprisingly, the academic heartland of Cambridge pedals into second place, with 8.13% of its workforce heading to work on two wheels. With its famously flat terrain and a population that includes tens of thousands of students, cycling has long been second nature in this historic city. In fact, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Cambridge was cycling before it was cool.
Edinburgh takes the national crown, with a solid 10.00% of residents cycling to work, a clear sign that Scotland’s capital is embracing low-emission commuting. Glasgow is not far behind, ranking third overall at 6.00%, reflecting a growing appetite for active travel in urban Scotland. Oxford comes next with 4.77%, where historic charm meets pedal-powered practicality, and York at 3.45% offers cyclists cobbled lanes and scenic commutes.
Hull rolls into sixth place with 3.06%, with the city's flat landscape proving ideal for cycling. Gosport, with 2.97%, continues to surprise, punching well above its weight. Norwich (2.81%) and Bristol (2.64%) show consistency, known for encouraging sustainability and cycling culture, while Portsmouth at 2.47% completes the top 10, demonstrating strong coastal support for two-wheeled travel.
Not every city is in love with the idea of cycling just yet. At the other end of the table, Brentwood in Essex ranks lowest, with just 0.23% of commuters travelling by bike. Also among the least bike-friendly cities are Bradford (0.28%), Blackburn (0.29%), and Barnsley (0.30%) – areas that could potentially benefit from improved infrastructure and cycling awareness.
Others joining the bottom ten include Durham (0.31%), Oldham (0.31%), Rotherham (0.34%), Bolton (0.36%), Rochdale (0.36%), and Dudley (0.39%). Whether it's down to geography, lack of investment, or just cultural preferences, these towns and cities have some catching up to do when it comes to pedal-powered commuting.
Top 10 list of UK cities with the most bike commuters:
| Rank | City | Cycling to Work (%) |
| 1 | City of Edinburgh | 10.00% |
| 2 | Cambridge | 8.13% |
| 3 | Glasgow City | 6.00% |
| 4 | Oxford | 4.77% |
| 5 | York | 3.45% |
| 6 | Kingston upon Hull | 3.06% |
| 7 | Gosport | 2.97% |
| 8 | Norwich | 2.81% |
| 9 | Bristol | 2.64% |
| 10 | Portsmouth | 2.47% |