With just ten miles of car-free cycle routes and only six independent bike shops, Bradford has been rated Britain’s worst city for cycling.

A survey of the country’s 20 biggest cities by a cycling magazine also found Bradford, which came 20th, to have the lowest number of cycling club members.

The Cyclists’ Touring Club’s cycling development officer for Bradford Ginny Leonard said: “We do a lot of work with cycling groups and we have found they are very willing to get involved.

“Saying Bradford is the worst based on numbers is not really fair – when we started working in Bradford we found there is a lot of activity going on but it’s not joined up – that’s what we’re trying to do. There’s a great interest in riding in the city.”

But Pam Ashton, of Bradford Cycle Action Group, said of the report: “I totally agree with it.

“I cycle all the time. I think there’s been a combination of neglect to allow Bradford to become the worst for cycling. We are training hundreds of children to cycle and we want them to be safe, and I want to be safe on the streets of Bradford.

“Cycle lanes help but there is not enough respect for cyclists –we are put in danger every day.”

She added: “There are still the canal towpath, the Spen Valley Greenway and beautiful routes in the Dales.”

Voters in the poll were asked to judge cities on nine categories including the number of biking commuters, cycling club members, miles of cycle network and independent bike shops.

Other factors to be considered included pollution, road quality and theft. Bristol was judged Britain’s best cycling city.

Magazine editor Rob Spedding said: “Even though Bradford came bottom, it still boasts a high level of great rides within easy reach, good air quality and decent roads – a great starting point to build its cycling credentials.”