Routes along canal paths, disused railway lines, riversides and parks take you from the city out into the countryside, keeping you safe and healthy.

John Grimshaw, the chief executive of the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, has selected the UK?s best cycling day trips.

THE WEST COUNTRY WAY CYCLE ROUTE
Experience the variety of landscape between Padstow (on the North Cornwall coast), and Bristol on the 'Severn Sea', taking in the spectacular scenery of Exmoor and the Mendip Hills. National Route 3 runs from Bristol down through Wells, Glastonbury, Bridgwater and Taunton on its way to Devon and Cornwall. The Somerset section is covered on the West Country Way map. Any of the above sections present a challenging day cycle trip.

THE CAMEL TRAIL, CORNWALL
Running between the towns of Bodmin and Padstow, the Camel Trail is one of Cornwall?s leading attractions and a traffic-free mecca for around 500,000 visitors each year. Cyclists on the trail can follow an old railway line, explore the managed woodland that adjoins part of the route, and ride along the banks of the River Camel before reaching Padstow?s harbour and caf? The route is flat and easy, although other sections of the West Country Way to either side are more strenuous. Bikes can be hired if needed from shops in Bodmin, Padstow or nearby Wadebridge. There is lots to entertain children along the way, such as the steam railway at Bodmin and wildlife on the Camel Estuary, while adults will undoubtedly appreciate the wine tastings at the Camel Valley Vineyard (01208 77959).

Distance 17 miles (27km)
Time About 3 hours
Difficulty rating Easy. The link to the start of the trail from Bodmin Parkway is slightly more strenuous.

KIDWELLY TO LLANELLI, SOUTH WALES
This gentle section of the Celtic Trail is particularly suitable for young children, and the 36-mile round trip can be broken down into shorter chunks. Kidwelly?s impressive castle and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Centre just outside Llanelli mean that there are family-friendly places to visit at either end, and the route also takes cyclists through the award-winning Millennium Coastal Park and Pembrey Forest. Pembrey is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with tracks around the visitors? centre providing ready detours from your cycling, and is home to a dry ski slope and toboggan run, adventure playground and eight-mile beach. All of this plus beautiful views over the estuary to the Gower Peninsula ensure that cycling through South Wales is an action-packed and attractive prospect for a family day outdoors.

Distance 18 miles
Time About 3 hours
Difficulty rating Easy, though it can be windy.

# Times given are approximate for an average family and exclude stops.

More information and online mapping of the routes can be obtained from Sustrans; www.sustrans.org.uk, or 0845 1130065. Cycling in The UK (Sustrans, £14.99) is available from Times Books First at £13.49(p&p is free). Phone 0870 1608080 or log on to www.timesonline.co.uk/booksfirstbuy