Cycling
Manchester is a city of cycling, with opportunities for everyone to ride, learn and enjoy life on two wheels.
Cycling
Manchester is recognised as one of the world’s most bicycle‑friendly cities, ranked 34th globally in the 2025 Copenhagenize Index, ahead of many other major cities. This reflects the city’s long‑term commitment to cycling, following its landmark year as European Capital of Cycling 2024.
Becoming European Capital of Cycling marked a cultural shift in how people across Manchester travel and stay active. In 2024, cycling opportunities expanded for adults, young people and children, creating lasting routes, programmes and communities that continue well beyond the year itself.
There are many ways to get involved in cycling across the city. Whether you want to ride with your family, join a led ride, commute, try an adapted bike, or take part in BMX, track cycling or mountain biking, there are options to suit different interests and abilities.
Cycling supports physical and mental wellbeing, helps reduce carbon emissions, and brings people together. Explore what’s available in Manchester and get involved.
City of Cycling
The Manchester City of Cycling Implementation Plan (2026 – 2031) sets out a bold vision to transform Manchester into a truly cycle-friendly city, embedding cycling as a safe, inclusive and accessible choice for all.
Building on the success of Manchester’s designation as European Capital of Cycling 2024, the plan outlines four strategic themes designed to increase participation, widen access, enhance infrastructure, promote cycling and integrate sustainable travel initiatives.
The Plan is a collaboration across the Council, voluntary and community groups and regional partners.
National Cycling Centre
Manchester is proud to be the home of the National Cycling Centre and British Cycling. As well as being the training venue for many Olympians and Paralympians, the National Cycling Centre is open for the public to use.
The National Cycling Centre includes:
- The Manchester Velodrome
- The Indoor BMX Arena
- The Outdoor BMX track (Platt Fields Park)
- Clayton Vale mountain biking trails
- Philips Park skills area and pump track
The National Cycling Centre is home to Clubs ESV (Eastlands and Sportcity Velo) and Manchester BMX Club, which offer coaching and racing opportunities.
Wythenshawe Park Cycling Hub
Manchester City Council and British Cycling opened a fantastic new FREE Cycling Hub in Wythenshawe Park in 2022, which includes a technical pump track, mountain biking skills zone and woodland trails, a Learn to Ride area and a shared-use accessible trail around the park’s perimeter for cyclists, walkers and runners.
No need to book – just turn up with your bike and ride.
Discover the cycling hub at Wythenshawe Park (M23 0AB). Find directions, car parking and nearby park amenity information here.
MaxTrax
Named after Max-Rimmer Chambers, MaxTrax will be a vibrant, safe community spot for people who love sports on wheels.
Local families, schools, and residents shaped it through ideas and feedback. Park-goers who enjoy roller skating or riding bikes and scooters, like Max, can now take on the specially designed track.
It features a purpose‑built pump track that welcomes all ages and abilities. Expert-led coaching sessions and cycling education take place on site, alongside a dedicated repair workshop and maintenance cabins. The entire space is designed to be inclusive, making it accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and scooters.
Learn to Ride
If you have never learnt to ride a bike, would like to develop your cycling skills, or want to become more confident cycling in traffic, you can access cycle training in Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester runs FREE cycle training for all levels of riders (and non-riders) in 3 Manchester locations:
- Alexandra Park in Whalley Range.
- Wythenshawe Cycle Hub Learn to Ride area.
- Parrs Wood High School indoor sessions in winter (East Didsbury).
Transport for Greater Manchester also offers one-to-one cycle training to support you to ride in traffic and to plan a bespoke route for specific journeys – you’ll meet the instructor at your chosen location.
Sign up for one of the sessions, and you’ll be welcomed by the friendly, qualified instructors who will support you on your cycling journey.
Family cycle training is also offered to develop your confidence riding as a family on quiet roads.
There are also many other Transport For Greater Manchester cycle training locations across Greater Manchester, so find what’s right for you!
Many community cycling hubs also offer cycle training for both riders and non-riders.
Join a led ride
You can join many led rides in Manchester, run by experienced ride leaders.
Many community cycling hubs offer regular led rides in your local community. Find out more via the ‘Community Cycling Hubs & Groups’ tab above.
British Cycling runs a FREE guided rides programme throughout the year. Just turn up with your bike, and they’ll do the rest! Experienced, qualified ride leaders will lead the way.
Find guided rides on Let’s Ride UK
British Cycling also runs guided FREE Breeze rides just for women. Find out more about these free, fun and sociable rides.
Find Breeze rides on Let’s Ride UK
Joyriders Manchester run different levels of led rides for women in the Manchester area – introducing them to the joy of riding, including beginner rides with tea and cake stops on the way.
Join a Joyriders Manchester ride
Become a ride leader and lead your own rides.
Book a ride leader course with Transport for Greater Manchester
Bike Maintenance
Lack of bike maintenance knowledge can put people off cycling, but we’re here to help. If you want to learn the basics or build your knowledge, support is available.
Transport for Greater Manchester run a variety of low-cost hands-on bike maintenance sessions in 3 Manchester locations:
Sign up for one of the small group sessions, and a friendly, qualified bike maintenance expert across Greater Manchester will welcome you.
Many community cycling hubs also offer bike maintenance and learn-to-fix sessions in your local area.
Borrow or hire a bike
Bike libraries
There are a number of bike libraries in Manchester where you can borrow a bike, give it a go and see what you like before continuing on your cycling journey.
Find a bike library in your area
Bike Hire in Manchester.
Starling Bank Bikes are available at many bays in Manchester, are easy to use, and are cost-effective. Simply download the app, locate your bike, unlock it, ride, then return it to a stand and re-lock it. You can pay as you ride or buy minute bundles if you’re a regular rider. Ride for as little as 5p per minute (plus a 50p unlocking fee for pay as you ride). You can pause the ride for 15 minutes during your journey.
Find out more about Starling bikes on TfGM
Borrow an E-cycle.
Transport For Greater Manchester, with Cycling UK, offer the chance to borrow an e-bike for a month to discover how e-cycles can make everyday journeys easier. Hopping on an e-cycle regularly can save you money on fuel and car repairs. They also bring mental and physical health benefits and help keep the environment cleaner.
Inclusive Cycling
Simply Cycling offers a wide range of cycles, so anyone can experience the joy of cycling. They run many weekly sessions in Wythenshawe Park, Boggart Hole Clough, and Longford Park.
Book an inclusive cycling session with Simply Cycling
Wheels for All have a weekly inclusive cycling session in Debdale Park, Gorton.
Find Wheels for All sessions in Debdale Park
The Inclusive Cycling Experience enables residents with disabilities/long-term health conditions to try and borrow non-standard cycles.
Find out about the Inclusive Cycling Experience
Limitless BMX sessions are offered at the National Cycling Centre. Limitless BMX is an inclusive session for riders with physical and learning disabilities, SEND or additional needs.
Find Limitless BMX sessions at the National Cycling Centre
Limitless velodrome sessions take place on the National Cycling Centre velodrome track for riders with disabilities, including visual impairments.
Find Limitless velodrome sessions at the National Cycling Centre
Cycling for Women
British Cycling runs free Breeze rides for women. These are friendly, sociable guided rides for different confidence levels.
Find women’s Breeze rides on Let’s Ride
Joyriders Manchester run different levels of led rides for women in the Manchester area – introducing them to the joy of riding, including beginner rides with tea and cake stops on the way.
View Joyriders Manchester events
Team Glow offers bike rides, camps and events to women in the Manchester area.
Learn more about Team Glow rides and events
Find cycling today
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