Cycling Birmingham's towpaths: a beginner's guide

If you have ever sat in traffic on the Bristol Road and wished there was a calmer way across the city, the answer has been running alongside you the whole time. Birmingham's canal towpaths make some of the most relaxing cycle routes in the country, and you do not need to be a seasoned rider to enjoy them. This guide covers everything a beginner needs to know, from choosing a route to sharing the path politely with everyone else who uses it.

Why the towpaths work so well for cycling

Canals were built to be level. Boats cannot go uphill without locks, so engineers followed the contours of the land wherever they could. For anyone on a bike, that means long, gentle stretches with barely a gradient in sight. The surface on the main city routes has been improved considerably over the years, and much of it is now smooth, compacted path that suits an ordinary town bike perfectly well.

The other great advantage is that the towpaths are traffic free. There are no junctions to navigate and no buses pulling out in front of you. For nervous cyclists, children learning to ride in a real setting or anyone returning to cycling after years away, that makes a huge difference to confidence.

The classic route: Gas Street to Bournville

If you only try one ride, make it the Worcester and Birmingham Canal from Gas Street Basin heading south. It is the route most people start with, and for good reason. From the basin, the towpath runs out past the back of the Mailbox and quickly leaves the city centre behind. Within minutes the tall buildings give way to trees, and you could easily forget you are only a mile or so from New Street.

The path passes through the short Edgbaston tunnel, where the towpath continues inside, so slow down, ring your bell and take care on the damp surface. Beyond it, you ride alongside the University of Birmingham campus, with glimpses of the clock tower through the trees. Many students and staff use this stretch to commute, so expect it to be busier at the start and end of the working day.

Carry on through Selly Oak and you will reach Bournville, where the smell of chocolate on the breeze tells you that you have arrived. The towpath runs close to the station and within easy reach of the model village built by the Cadbury family for its workers. It is a lovely place to lock up the bike and wander for an hour among the tree-lined streets and village green.

Sharing the space

The single most important thing to understand about towpath cycling is that you are a guest. The paths were built for horses towing boats, and today they are shared by walkers, runners, anglers, boaters and families. The Canal and River Trust sums up the right attitude neatly: share the space and drop your pace.

• Pedestrians have priority. Slow down when passing people on foot, and be prepared to stop.
• Ring twice. Two gentle rings of the bell, well in advance, is the accepted way to let people know you are coming. Say thank you as you pass.
• Take care at bridges. The path often narrows under bridges and visibility is poor. Slow right down, and dismount if the path is busy.
• Watch the edge. There are no barriers, and the water is closer than you think. Keep your speed sensible, especially on bends.
• Look out for mooring ropes. Boats tied up along the bank can have ropes and pins across the path.

The towpath is not a race track. If you want to go fast, the roads are faster. If you want to enjoy the ride, the towpath is hard to beat.

What bike do you need?

Almost any bike will do. A hybrid or town bike with slightly wider tyres is ideal, but a mountain bike works well too. Skinny road tyres are fine on the smoother central sections but can feel twitchy on rougher stretches further out. Whatever you ride, check your tyres are properly inflated and your brakes work before you set off, because you will be braking often.

A bell is essential. Lights are a good idea even in daylight, especially for the tunnel sections and for autumn and winter afternoons when it gets dark early. A small bag with a spare inner tube, a pump and a bottle of water will cover most eventualities.

Do not have a bike?

You do not need to own one to give it a try. Public hire bikes are available at docking stations around the city centre, including near the canal network, and they are a good way to find out whether towpath riding is for you before investing in a bike of your own. Check the current pricing and docking locations before you set off, and plan where you will return the bike at the other end.

Making a day of it

The best towpath rides are unhurried. Pack a picnic, stop at a canalside pub, watch a narrowboat work through a lock and take plenty of breaks. The ride from Gas Street to Bournville is only a few miles each way, which leaves plenty of time for exploring when you get there.

Once you have the confidence, the wider network opens up. Other routes lead out in several directions from the centre, each with its own character, from industrial heritage to leafy suburbs. Pick up a canal map, choose a stretch you have not tried and see where it takes you. You may find, as many riders do, that the towpath becomes your favourite way to get around Birmingham.