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We’ve already looked at the pluses and minuses of Leicester as a city in which to cycle. So, how does its East Midlands neighbour, Nottingham, compare?
Nottingham Cycling Statistics
Well, in Toothpick‘s study showing the amount of people in each UK city who cycle at least once a week, for any amount of time, Nottingham scored 3.8/10; slightly higher than Leicester’s 2.3, but still not a great deal to shout about.
This was not only based on how healthy people are in Nottingham, but also how easy it is to cycle – whether there are enough safe cycle routes, how much traffic there is, the quality of cycling infrastructure, and so on.
It can also be a worryingly common place for cycling-related accidents; in March, the Nottingham Post revealed that 1,053 cyclists were killed or injured on roads in the county of Nottinghamshire from 2015 to 2017.
Cycle Paths in Nottingham
This Ordnance Survey map shows you the best cycling routes in Nottingham lasting no more than two hours or extending longer than 40 kilometres:
As you can see, there are plenty of good cycle paths in the city; for off-road cyling, along Robin Hood Way to Sherwood Forest is ideal, while the Ancient Sherwood Route and the Adventure Pine Route are both roughly 32 km long and takes in plenty of stop-off points for refreshments and attractions.
There are also lots of great winding country lanes and small villages around the county all connected by the same roads which are definitely worth a visit, too.
And don’t forget to check out Erewash Valley Trail, a 30-mile cycle from Nottinghamshire to Derbyshire which takes in some of the most beautiful, scenic views the county has to offer.
Nottingham Bike Hire
If you’re in the city initially without a bike, Nottingham’s CityCard cycles should be your first port of call. From any of their on-street docking stations, you can be on your way for as little as £1. Prices are capped at £4 each day and you can hire a bike for as long as 24 hours. All you need to do is register on the CityCard Cycles website.
But if you want longer than a day with your hired bike, head to Russell’s Bike Shed near Nottingham station, who are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 6.30pm. From there, you can rent bicycles for £5 per week or £15 per month, including a £20 deposit, and they also have electric bikes in stock for you to try out, too.
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