Location: Glasgow city

Map: OS Landranger 64; www.routes2ride.org.uk

Distance: 6 miles (10km)

Time: 1-1.5 hours

Terrain: flat; traffic-free and on-road cyclepaths

Glasgow City Council plans to boost cycling are timely and much needed. There are some great routes in and around the city, such as this family-friendly loop, but, in general, cycle commuters face many difficulties. Perhaps now simple to fix problems, such as inconsistent signage and parked cars on cycle lanes, will be addressed as part of a grander ambition to make safe cycling the city's no.1 participatory activity by 2020.

Start from Kelvinbridge subway station to follow the Kelvin Walkway upstream. Tranquil traffic-free cycling leads alongside the tree-lined river. Further on, look for a signed ramp to the Forth & Clyde Canal, part of Sustrans National Route 754. Bear right to pass the impressive Maryhill lock flight – five locks linked by oval basins. After about half a mile (800m) you'll reach Stockingfield Junction, where this route stays on the towpath as it veers south for Speirs Wharf along the old Glasgow branch of the canal.

Leave the waterway via the long ramp and veer right at a grassy triangle to cross Garscube Road on a pedestrian bridge. Follow the cyclepath ahead by a running track and after the Braid Square flats go right. Keep straight and turn left on to Braid Street.

Cross St George's Road on to North Woodside Road. Follow this road across several junctions until a ramp on the right (NCN 754 sign) leads back to the start.