Birmingham Opens Family-Friendly Cycling Routes Through City Parks

Birmingham City Council added 4.2 kilometres of sealed family cycling paths in Cannon Hill Park last month, connecting the main lake loop to the Pershore Road entrance without crossing any roads.

Summer demand for beginner routes has risen sharply after the council extended its Cycle Birmingham scheme through December 2026. The change follows a 19 per cent increase in family bike hires recorded at park kiosks between May and June.

Two tested routes for new riders

Cannon Hill Park offers a 2.8-kilometre circuit that stays inside the park boundary and passes the wildlife garden and the MAC arts centre. The surface is smooth tarmac with only one gentle slope near the boating lake. Sutton Park provides a longer but still flat option on its 3.1-kilometre Wyndley Lane trail, which runs from the Boldmere Gate car park to the Blackroot Pool café and back, staying away from the main roads that border the park.

Both locations sit within five kilometres of central Birmingham and can be reached on the 45 and 47 bus routes. Local group BikeBirmingham runs free Saturday morning led rides for beginners from the Cannon Hill Park visitor centre at 10am, with helmets and lights supplied.

Numbers behind the routes

The council spent £187,000 on the new Cannon Hill surface, funded partly through the West Midlands Combined Authority transport levy. A standard adult bike hire costs £8 for two hours at the park concession, while child seats and tag-along trailers add £3. Data from the city’s transport team shows 1,240 family bike journeys logged on the new paths in the first three weeks after opening.

Parents planning a first visit should start at the Cannon Hill Park visitor centre on Russell Road, where maps and free route cards are available. Riders are advised to avoid peak traffic times on adjacent streets when leaving the park and to check the council’s Cycle Birmingham app for temporary closures before setting out.