Towpaths provide direct, traffic-free routes into and out of many British towns and cities. Here’s what to consider when commuting on them.

Canal towpaths are a great escape from busy city streets. Built for horses hauling barges, they’re now mostly used by pedestrians and cyclists. They run right into the heart of urban areas beside placid waterways where you’ll see greenery and birdlife instead of traffic jams and brake lights. They’re generally flat, too. It’s no wonder that they form popular cycle-commuting corridors through the likes of London and Birmingham.

The Canal & River Trust, which manages Britain’s canals, has an enlightened attitude to cyclists. Its predecessor, British Waterways once required permits for cyclists to use towpaths. Now “all considerate cyclists” are welcome and a permit is unnecessary. The only stipulation is that you follow the Towpath Code. This mostly amounts to giving way to pedestrians and taking care when passing others.

You can find your nearest canal on the Canal & River Trust website. Route planning apps and websites such as Citymapper, Cyclestreets and even Google Maps (if you click the cycle option) will direct you down towpaths in any case. What they won’t do, necessarily, is tell you anything about the state of the towpath…

Which tyres for towpaths?

Towpaths aren’t cycle paths; they’re more like bridleways. You’re allowed to cycle on them but they weren’t originally built with cyclists in mind. Surfaces range from tarmac, concrete slabs and cobbles through to gravel, hard-packed earth and sometimes grass. There might be potholes, buckling from tree roots or stretches of mud – especially if it’s rained recently.

How rideable a given towpath is will depend largely on the diameter and width of your bike’s tyres. A well-surfaced towpath will be rideable on anything, even a small-wheeled folder or a road bike. For others, you might want a hybrid, gravel bike or mountain bike. Until you’ve ridden a given section of towpath, you won’t know. Do a dry run one weekend before you use the route for commuting, just to be sure.

This will also tell you about access onto and off the towpath. Non-standard cycles such as tricycles or cargo bikes may be impractical, and an e-bike can be awkward if you have to lift it at any point.

Sensible cycling

Slow down. As with other shared-use paths, pedestrians have priority. It’s particularly important to rein in your speed on towpaths because they tend to be narrower, with uneven surfaces and worse sight lines. Every towpath has a canal right next to it, typically unfenced. Careless cycling could see you or someone else ending up in it.

Use your bell. (If you haven’t got one, fit one.) This is what they’re for: to politely alert pedestrians who are unaware you’re there. Ping your bell a few times before any blind corners and before passing under bridges to forewarn anyone who might be there. Thank those who step aside for you; they’re not obliged to do so.

Don’t take risks. Some bridges are low enough to hit your head on, depending on where on the towpath you ride. Cobbled descents near locks can be slick with water or moss, particularly where they’re out of direct sunlight. If you’re not confident, stop and dismount. Pushing your bike for 30 metres will cost you minimal time.

Hazards

As well as pedestrians and other cyclists, you may encounter dogs (on or off leads) or wildlife. Broadly speaking, the same rules for passing people apply: pass slowly and with care. An aggressive dog or goose could knock you into the canal so don’t startle them. If you’re worried about your safety, dismount and put your bike between you and the animal. You may be able to walk past like this.

When you’re passing boats or moorings, look out for ropes and the posts, pitons or metal rings they might be attached to in case they intrude onto the towpath. When passing people fishing, keep an eye out for rods and other paraphernalia.

Towpaths are often unlit so you’ll need good cycle lights to use them outside of daylight hours. If you use them at all, that is. On a lightly-used towpath after dark, you are potentially vulnerable. While muggings and the like are less common than the media might lead you to believe, there are some bad people out there and you don’t want to give them an opportunity. Go with your gut feeling if you’re unsure about taking a particular route at night.