Even though the ‘concrete collar’ now longer encircles the city centre completely, the central roads remain hostile territory for cyclists. This is true of both the ring roads (Queensway and Middleway) and the arterial roads that take traffic into the city. These arteries also have frequent bus services, another hazard for the unwary. Some have been gifted with cycle lanes or paths, including shared-use underpasses beneath roundabouts. As is so often the case, though, they’re rarely designed to the highest standards.

With care you can find a back-street route that avoids the snarlups, though Birmingham’s estates tend to funnel traffic onto a small number of through-routes. Two routes are signposted from the city centre, one to Bordesley and Shirley, another to Ward End and Castle Vale.

20mph limits are uncommon, but the council is planning to impose more across the city. Contraflows for cyclists are also becoming more frequent.

More happily, cycles are permitted on most of the city-centre pedestrianised streets, such as New Street and High Street. The Bullring shopping development is out-of-bounds, but you can cycle underneath now that the ring road has been broken.

Birmingham is a hillier city than outsiders might think, and a bike with forgiving gears will stand you in good stead – though there are several hardened fixie riders in the city.