If you love exploring on two wheels, Bath is even more beautiful by bike.
Parents can relax as Bath has many entirely traffic-free cycle routes, allowing you and the family to focus on the historic sights and wildlife you may encounter. Many of the city's cycle paths feature cafés, pubs and public toilets dotted handily along the way.
Bath itself is cross-sectioned by route 4 of the National Cycle Network, with the surrounding countryside containing several scenic cycle routes: The Two Tunnels Greenway, which incorporates the longest cycling tunnel in the UK; the 13-mile long Bristol and Bath Cycle Path which connects the two cities; Colliers Way; and the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal path.
Route Planning
If you're looking for some maps, route planners, accommodation and ideas for a cycle trip in and around Bath, take a look at these must-use resources for cyclists:
Better by Bike is the comprehensive cycling website for Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. It includes regional cycle maps and routes, information on bike hire, shops, workshops, cycling clubs, events, and much more.
Sustrans is Britain's leading sustainable transport charity. Their website features detailed maps of the National Cycle Network in and around Bath, including some of the city's most-loved routes.
Strava and Komoot are fantastic platforms for discovering new routes around Bath and the surrounding area that locals and visitors to the city have posted. Access online, or on your phone using the free apps for iPhone and Android. And if you're feeling particularly adventurous, go ahead and publish your own routes too!
Cycle Streets is another useful cycle route planning and mapping website. The site also has a free app for iPhone and Android smartphones.
Bike Hire
Want to explore Bath by bike but don’t have a set of wheels? You can rent bikes of all shapes and sizes from Bath Ebike Hire, Julian House Bike Workshop and Green Park Bike Station. For more adventurous riders, Bath has a number of cross-country routes, some with steep downhill sections. Alternatively, some more mellow rides can be found further out of the city at Chew Magna and the Cheddar Valley.
Bath hosts several cycling events every year, including the popular Bike Bath, so take a look before you book.