Cycling in the UK sounds great on paper… but the reality is very different.
In this video, I break down 6 real reasons why the UK is one of the worst places to cycle in Western Europe — backed by data, real-world riding experience, and direct comparisons with countries that actually get it right.
From dangerous road design and lack of protected bike lanes, to aggressive driver behaviour and broken infrastructure, this is what everyday cycling in the UK actually looks like.
If you’ve ever felt unsafe riding on UK roads — or wondered why cycling feels so much easier in places like the Netherlands — this video explains exactly why.
🚴♂️ Topics covered:
UK cycling safety statistics
Why UK roads are dangerous for cyclists
Lack of protected cycling infrastructure
Driver behaviour and close passes
Poor road maintenance and potholes
Why cycling works better in Europe
This isn’t just a rant — it’s a reality check on the state of cycling in the UK.
👇 Let me know your experience:
Do you think cycling in the UK is getting better — or worse?
#CyclingUK #RoadSafety #CyclingLife #BikeCommuting #CyclingInfrastructure #UKCycling #CyclingProblems #UrbanCycling #BikeLife #CyclingEurope
36 Comments
Spot on. The Netherlands is the best, even out in the countryside. I found London pretty good to cycle around if you pick good routes.
I divide my time between Spain & Britain and would say Britain is clearly worse in terms of road surface and the attitude of drivers towards cyclists. Also, Britain is more densely populated than Spain so there are more cars on the road and more built up areas. For this reason it's much harder to find a nice quiet route for a spin – even country roads are heaving with cars 7 days a week. It's all relative of course though – you really take your life in your hands in countries like Italy and Turkey, mostly due to dangerous and careless driving.
UK roads are narrow, even the major ones so having separate cycled lanes isn't really an option. Most of Europe have split the pavements into pedestrian and cycle lanes which would be an easy option to roll out 🙂
My take: we’re a culture and society riddle with class prejudice, and cyclists are seen as the lowest of the low because they can’t afford a car, and unworthy of respect or consideration. We should simply get out the way.
People use cars far too much in the UK, the main encouragements of this is the huge expense of owning a car and then feeling the need to make as much use out of it as possible. It would benefit everyone if car ownership was made far more affordable but actually driving it far more expensive. This would cost relatively the same for most but would cause a good incentive to walk or cycle more instead of using the lazy car.
You could do with some freshly squeezed lemon juice and grate some of the peel into some boiled water with honey 🍯 🍋 you sound croaky 🐸 x x x
In my home country of Poland the infrastructure is generally much better than in the UK, but the driver mentality is worse and even more aggressive than in the UK. I am not really bothered though because once fit for 55 kicks in most private cars will be banned. And yes I am aware that the way things stand now electric cars will be allowed, but lets be honest they are nowhere near as viable or capable as real cars.
I wouldn't say the design of the country roads is a problem for cyclists, it's cars that they weren't designed for since they were "built" years before cars and bikes were invented. The problem with them is drivers treating them like a rally track or a shortcut because they don't want to use the bypass, especially now cars are bigger and faster.
Yes uk is one the worst place in europe, terms of cycling infrastructure.
Never been in UK, but still I can safely assume Italy is worse…
Having recently ditched my car and started walking and cycling, I'm much happier but not because of the state of the roads or footpaths. They are a pure nightmare. Subscribed! ❤
Commuted by bicycle for 50 years in Scotland, the coldest, wettest place on earth, unbelievably I’ve only had three minor accidents with only one involving a car door.
You are correct with your observations of course. ✌️Subbed.
Your right , I am an avid cyclist , but I've given up ridding on the road in UK . Car driving standards , dangerous roads are the main reasons .
What's crazy is, that I iv in a new build, from round 15 years ago, and the roads here are also very, very new, but potholes are shockingly common!
Sticking up for the UK here. Not all places are bad. I live in Dumfries and Galloway and the cycling here, whether that's road, gravel or mountain bike is excellent.
Im experiencing extra hate on the road when cycling lately. People seem to be utterly switched off when driving and only seem to care about saving second's off there journey time with zero regard for others safety
Dispute this massively I cycle Suffolk and drivers are good , cycled Mallorca and drivers are not
Introducing 20mph limits in England would massively help things.
Generally, I find cycling safer today than 20 years ago. Where I live in Stoke-on-Trent, there are quite a few decent off-road cyvleways, however – as is the case with many councils – there is a lack of political will to join these up into an effective cycle infrastructure.
Aggressive drivers in England. Not just aggressive to cyclists but to everyone. Even if I’m driving my car at the speed limit I cannot believe the amount of tailgaters and dangerous overtaking I get it is unbelievable. There are so many very very very bad drivers in this country and it makes it grim to be on the roads
One thing that I would say you missed is how the mainstream media just constantly throws fuel on the fire.
I saw an article the other day about a woman that has died while riding her ebike and was hit by a van. I didn't read past the headline because I didn't need to "cyclist killed after ebike collides with van" I bet you any money that in reality it's more "cyclist killed after van collides with bike" but it's ALWAYS written in such a way that the cyclist is in the wrong
Drivers only respect one thing, fear. They need to fear the consequences of their choices. There needs to be widespread deployment of un marked police cycle patrols.
Poor design of roads: Yes. Poor design of motorists' brains: Yes.
I've been cycling as my preferred form of transport for over 50 years, and I live in Norfolk. The infrastructure in Norwich is poorly thought out and always has been. However, in my opinion, even though driving standards are the greatest threat. I think that in the countryside here, drivers have become more considerate. I genuinely think this is since the last highway code changes.
If you think it is bad now, you should have been around in the 1980s and 90s. Now that was a dodgy time to cycle on the road. It’s improved a lot since then.
Is it perfect, no, things have improved. From what I see a factor is people cycling like idiots with no road skills. Great bike skills but lacking in road skills.
Think of the resources poured into HS2. Think could have been done with all that infrastructure effort.
We have to be realistic, car's are needed in the UK, but we need to be respectful of each other. Motorists want to get from a to b without any disruption but unfortunately we the cyclists are a disruption.
Eh, there are lots of very unskilled cyclists in the uk. More than there are unskilled motorists. I've been cycle commuting in a busy uk city for over 50 years & see loads of cyclists who are unsafe. Few even use correct hand signals, or look over their shoulders to check their rear, when manoeuvring. So i can see how motorists get frustrated with them.
The irony is that better cycling infrastructure makes it better for car drivers.
Every cyclist is one less car congesting the road in front of you. If only a small percentage of people switch to cycling for some of their journeys then congestion and journey times for motorists would be reduced.
Where I live, the local authority has installed a protected cycle lane at great expense.
There are issues though with regard to pedestrians walking in it, often stepping into it without looking, runners running in it (and refusing to move out of it) people roller skating in it, you name it. It's not very safe for cycling TBH.
I can't ride on the adjacent road as you get abuse from drivers (even though you're matching their speed) so I avoid the route altogether.
Prob is this: the faster you cycle the further your position moves away from the kerb.
Hence. Serious road rider: oh the drivers are idiots.
Raleigh Chiltern rider: wot?
Without that horrific AI generated background noise I most probably would have made it to the end of the video. Didn't happen, unfortunately.
Arguable cyclists in the uk are far more switched on when it comes to self preservation. You have to adopt the mindset of moronic drivers and anticipate what's going to p*ss them off or what crazy, irresponsible manoeuvre they're going to make. You have to ride defensively and try to avoid confrontation. Personally I prefer to cycle in the countryside. The roads are much better maintained and if you plan your route carefully you can avoid a lot of traffic.
You are not "meant" to be next to the kerb or road edge, 6.09 in video. Ride where it safest for you. When it's not safe for motor vehicles to pass you don't HAVE to give room for them. Parked cars ahead, sharp bends etc etc. I ride a trike and need more space so I bloody take it but make sure cars can overtake me as soon as safe, even pulling over to let them pass, just for politeness. There's always prats in cars or on bikes that cause issues and always will be.
In my experience, rural roads are the worst for cyclists. Many of these narrow lanes still have the National speed limit (60 mph) in place … this is insane.
Agreed with all these, especially with how drivers are against cyclists in this country. It's made so much worse by how things are portrayed on the news etc. Ive seen so many things against cyclists and of course the usual "They don't pay road tax so shouldn't be on the road". There's no such thing as road tax but they keep pushing that which creates extra division.
I’ve known cars to park in bike lanes and if I am in the bike lane and a car is parked in way I have no where to go except into the road / flow of traffic