According to recent statistics, more and more of us are taking up cycling as a cheap, environmentally friendly way to not only keep fit, but to travel to and from the office.
Last year in the UK, for example, 20% of Brits cycled more than once per week, with around 35% using a cycle for their daily commute.
If you're new to cycling or a novice rider, a commuter bike will get you from A to Z with little to no fuss and both are sturdy enough to ride through the bumps of everyday commuting in a busy city.
To help you choose the right bike, we've rounded up some of the best commuter bikes on the market for every budget, route and rider.
What to look for in a commuter bike
If you're looking for a quality bike that'll get you from A to Z with no qualms, weighing up the perfect model for you can often get confusing. When looking at the basics there's a few things to consider first.
Think about what the main purpose of the bike will be, if you need something to get you to work across the city; a folding bike, or a just a lighter weight frame is something you'll want for ease of use.
If the majority of your journeys will consist of flat roads and surfaces, you can opt for bikes with less of the heavy stuff like suspension and look for practical travelling features including pannier racks to keep your bits secure.
We've rounded up some of the best commuter bikes on the market, considering every budget, route and rider.
Best commuter bikes to buy
1. ECOSMO 20" Lightweight Alloy Folding City Bike
If your day to day will consist of public transport and a bit of cycling between stops, this folding bike from ECOSMO is the perfect solution to no nonsense commuting.
Formed from super lightweight aluminium, the bike has a practical weight of just 12kg, making getting on and off the tube a complete breeze. The bike and pedals fold up neatly with a patented lock to keep it secure when it isn't in use.
There's 7 Shimano gears to get you around, which is a decent amount of gears for everyday city riding. The handle bar and stem are completely adjustable, allowing for a comfortable and riding position and there's even an alloy rack at the back for storage.
Price: £275.99, Amazon - buy here now
2. B'TWIN Hoprider 900 Urban Hybrid Bike
For those looking for something a little bit more robust in frame, the Hoprider 900 is a great choice with a sleek design and user comfort in mind.
This bike is designed for all types of daily commutes, being a hybrid bike it's also one to seriously consider if you'll be using your new bike across a variety of terrains, and ideally for journeys of over 10 km.
Equipped with an impressive 27 speeds, this versatile bike is more thank capable of helping you cut through the town, or to take to the hills.
An aluminium frame ensures the bike is lighter and easier to manoeuvre, whilst a suspension fork and Selle Royal gel saddle ensure optimal comfort.
Price: £599.99, Decathlon - buy here now
3. Pinnacle Neon 3 2020 Hybrid Bike
Another top contender if you're looking for versatility in a bike, the Pinnacle Neon is fast without falling into the racing bike category.
The hybrid design combines cyclo-cross and road bike design cues, the mixture of riding position and simple speed makes it perfect for trials and fitness riding and equally as good for zipping around town.
It boasts a heat treated alloy frame, which is light enough to manoeuvre but sturdy enough to feel responsive. Powerful hydraulic disc brakes ensure quick and controlled stops, whilst the Kenda K193 K-West 700 x 28c tyres deliver strong traction that glides across the tarmac.
Price: £600, Evans Cycles - buy here now
4. Canyon Commuter Sport 5.0
The Commuter Sport 5.0 from Canyon might seem like a pricey option, but compared to a lot of it's competitors is actually quite standard for a premium level bike.
The first thing that jumps out immediately is the super clean lines and elegance of this minimalist design formed from lightweight aluminium. The sleek silhouette paired with practical elements like Shimano Nexus-8 internal-gear hub and Schwalbe Kojak tyres make this commuting bike a sure winner for taking on the hustle and bustle of the city.
Price: £949, Canyon - buy here now
5. Bobbin Fold
The Bobbin Fold has a cute and practical design, ideal for getting you between destinations quickly, efficiently and without taking up too much room.
It comes in a multitude of bright colours to keep you travelling in style and unlike most folding bikes, it comes fitted with mudguards, a kickstand and a rear carrier for storage when you're out and about.
Price: £460, Bobbin Bikes - pre-order here now
6. Cannondale Synapse Al 105 2020 Road Bike
Cannondale's Synapse is an ideal option for someone looking for great performance, comfort, and versatility.
If you're a seasoned rider who will be using your bike a lot to get around there's a host of cool features to keep you riding comfortably for longer. Thanks to a more upright riding position and SAVE Micro-Suspension flex zones you'll be more comfortable and in control.
A useful feature is the Shimano 105 22 Speed Drivetrain for precise gear changes and which is perfect for off road riding and conquering hills. With Vittoria Zaffiro 700 x 28c tyres, you'll be able to reach super speeds on tarmac.
Price: £1200, Evans Cycles - buy here now
7. FabricBike Commuter
The FabricBike Commuter is a good urban bike suggestion if you're wanting to keep your spend to a minimum. It's nice and versatile, suitable for everyday commutes, fitness or for explorations off road.
It's built from a durable and lightweight 4130 steel frame set that is able to absorb more road vibrations than conventional models. The frameset includes a rack and fender mounts for convenient storage.
There's 8 speed gears to be fast on the road or to or to take on sudden inclines in a range of different weather conditions.
Price: From: £429.95, Amazon - buy here now
8. Raleigh Stow E-Way 2020 Electric Folding Bike
Looking for convenience of a folding bike with the fast abilities of an e-bike? The Stow E-Way is equipped with a super powerful rear wheel motor to get you around town, to work and to run errands in a speedy manner.
It boasts an integrated TranzX system and 4 support levels so if you don't feel like peddling and need a little bit of a hand the motor will assist you up to 15mph, if you don't mind putting in some of the hard work it's a great choice for fitness riding too.
The 260wh battery is small and compact, making it an easy job to remove and charge separately from the bike.
Price: £1350, Evans Cycles - buy here now
