New research from child’s toy experts, Outdoor Toys, has analysed trail data to find the number of mountain bike trails in England and calculated the percentage of family-friendly trails to determine which area offers the best biking routes for all ages!
10 English areas with the most family-friendly bike trails:
| Rank | County/council area | Number of mountain bike trails | Number of family-friendly mountain bike trails | % of family-friendly mountain bike trails |
| 1 | West Sussex | 290 | 64 | 22.1% |
| 2 | Surrey | 279 | 50 | 17.9% |
| 3 | Essex | 286 | 47 | 16.4% |
| 3 | South Yorkshire | 134 | 22 | 16.4% |
| 3 | East Sussex | 110 | 18 | 16.4% |
| 4 | Hertfordshire | 205 | 33 | 16.1% |
| 5 | Staffordshire | 154 | 24 | 15.6% |
| 6 | North Yorkshire | 827 | 102 | 12.3% |
| 7 | Lancashire | 117 | 12 | 10.3% |
| 8 | Nottinghamshire | 101 | 10 | 9.9% |
| 9 | Cornwall | 234 | 23 | 9.8% |
| 10 | Cumbria | 235 | 22 | 9.4% |
West Sussex ranks as the top area for family-friendly mountain biking, with 22.1% of trails being suitable for children. Friston Forest is one of the best trails in the area for families, reaching 10.3km.
Surrey ranks as the second-best area for family-friendly mountain biking, with 17.9% fit for children. The Abinger Roughs are a great cycle trail for families, spanning 3.2km.
Essex, South Yorkshire and East Sussex all rank joint third, with 16.4% of mountain biking trails being family-friendly. In Essex, the Fitch Way route is popular with families and reaches over 25km, which can be split up or shortened for younger children!
In South Yorkshire, the Trans Pennine Trail is perfect for families and offers various routes for different ages and abilities across its 212-mile stretch.
East Sussex also offers a popular family cycle trail at Bedgebury Forest, which covers 8.7km.
Alex Price, product expert at Outdoor Toys, comments: “Bike safety is important for any cyclist, but especially for children. Essential safety measures include inspecting the bike before use for any obvious dangers, ensuring your child is wearing bright clothing, and attaching reflectors to their bike in easily seen places. If you’re looking to purchase your child’s first bike, knowing how to properly measure for the perfectly sized bike is crucial—it ensures safety and makes the experience much more enjoyable for everyone.
Getting your child out into nature benefits their physical, mental, and emotional development, and mountain biking is a great way to encourage outdoor play. If buying a bike isn’t an option, many hire firms offer bikes and gear for families for varying durations!”