Cycling in Glasgow

Whether you're a first time visitor to the city or a resident, getting around Glasgow by bicycle is an increasingly popular and convenient way of travelling. The city's cycle hire, bike facilities, and bike events all provide a great way of getting on two wheels, even if you're just starting. Here's more information on cycling in Glasgow:

Cycle Hire in Glasgow

a bike with a basket on the front standing up on a green lawn outside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The back wheel has the pink and white People Make Glasgow logo on it.

Glasgow is home to a public cycle hire scheme, operated and maintained by Nextbike! With 700 bikes for hire in 70 locations, including 63 e-bikes and 21 electric stations, it's available 24/7.

You can rent a bike via nextbike’s Android/iPhone App, through the on-bike computer, or by phoning +44 (0)20 816 69851. Rental starts at £1 for the first 30 minutes - get started with NextBike.

Glasgow Bike Tours

group of people cycling outside the SSE Hydro

Ride along and take in some sightseeing with Glasgow Bike Tours. Visit locations where you can see spectacular views of the city, not possible by bus or car. The Tour route is generally flat and on good cycling surfaces and has been designed using cycle paths, river and canal pathways and minor roads with very little traffic. Your local guide will share their enthusiasm for Glasgow’s fantastic culture, architecture and history with you.

Cycling as a Sport

The Emirates Arena standing proud with the sun shining behind it. The sky is blue and the grass is bright green.

With many dedicated facilities for cycling as a sport, Glasgow is the perfect place to get involved. The city was host to the 2018 European Cycling Championships and will also host the inaugural World Cycling Championships in 2023 - one to add to the diary! Speed demons will love a track cycling taster session at The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, one of the main venues for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, with opportunities to take it further with accreditation courses. The city is also home to the Glasgow BMX Centre - Scotland’s only World and Olympic standard BMX track and the second in Britain.

Alternatively, get out in the wild at the Cathkin Braes mountain bike trails for a real challenge, alongside other trails in Pollok Country Park and Alexandra Park.

Cycle Routes in Glasgow

a map of Glasgow highlighting the cycling routes in the city

Taking the daily commute by bicycle has become more popular in Glasgow, and it's no wonder, given that commuting on two wheels is both environmentally friendly and provides a dose of extra exercise. With over 300km of cycleways in the city, take a look at the different cycle routes in Glasgow and plan your route efficiently, whether it's a commute to work or simply a weekend ride to a different part of the city.

Check out Glasgow's new cycling route - The South-West City Way - which connects Pollokshields in the south to the city centre over a distance of 2km. Passing key attractions like Tramway, Scotland Street School Museum, the SSE Hydro and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, it's the perfect way for visitors to explore the city.

Aye Cycle Glasgow also provides some great routes you can take across the city.

Bike Shops in Glasgow

Need a trustworthy shop to repair your bike, or looking for some new cycling gear? There are lots of independent retailers throughout the city, who will provide you with anything from a brand new bike to the smallest of components. Check out Billy Bisland Cycles, Bike for Good or Philip Lang Cycles.

Cycling Organisations in the City

a large group of people with their bikes looking at the camera. There is a pink blossom tree behind them

Glasgow's home to several organisations that promote, encourage and support cycling in the city - here's just a few:

The Bike Station - Glasgow's bicycle recycling and cycling promotion charity
Go Bike - a cycle campaign group promoting cycling in the Strathclyde area with meet-ups
Sustrans - delivering practical cycling projects in partnership with schools, communities and workplaces
Free Wheel North - cycle charity promoting awareness of cycling in Glasgow particularly for those with disability
Cycling Scotland - National Cycling Body promoting cycling in Scotland
Cycling UK - national cyclists' organisation protecting and promoting the rights of cyclists
Healthy Working Lives - assisting employers and employees by promoting active travel to and from the workplace
Paths for All - a partnership of organisations committed to promoting walking for health and multi-use paths
Scottish Cycling - national governing body for cycle sport, covering BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-Cross, Road, Track, and Cycle Speedway
Aye Cycle Glasgow - an online hub for all things cycling in and around Glasgow
Bike for Good - an organisation with a mission to enable people to cycle as their mode of transport in a city where everyone benefits from riding a bicycle
Soulriders - an organisation which aims to create a stronger, healthier, more active community through cycling
South West Community Cycles - aims to relieve poverty, improve the health and education of local people and protect the local environment through the provision of affordable bike-related services and activities

Taking Your Bike on Public Transport

a grey and orange subway train arriving at a station with several people stepping on board

Take your bike trip one step further with the range of public transport available in Glasgow - take advantage of the bike parking facilities at many Subway stations, and if you're a regular user of Scotrail's trains, cycle racks are provided on the trains and cycle parking is available at virtually all of their stations. If you're travelling by First Bus in Glasgow, folding bikes are welcome on board, space permitting.

More info on Cycling in the City

With ongoing changes and improvements to Glasgow's cycling infrastructure, find out more at Glasgow City Council's online hub for more details and information on cycling in the city.