Velo Birmingham and Midlands 2020 route revealed at event launch

Entries have reopened for the third instalment of the bike ride, which is expected to attract thousands of entries this June.

Two routes are open to cyclists, with distances of 45 and 100 miles – and both routes have been officially finalised.

More than 17,000 riders took place in last year's event which takes in parts of the Black Country and Worcestershire.

The event has proved controversial in previous years with some roads closed for around 10 hours on the day.

Several motorists flouted road closures, driving through cordons and mounting the pavement, including in Quinton.

Cyclists taking part in the first Vélo Birmingham in 2017 complained after nails and razor blades were thrown in the road as disgruntled residents and businesses endured lengthy road closures.

But councillors have moved to reassure residents and motorists that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

When is Vélo Birmingham and Midlands 2020?

Vélo Birmingham and Midlands will be open to up to 18,000 riders of all abilities on journeys through the West Midlands on June 21.

A limited number of general entries are available for the previously sold-out 100-mile route.

Meanwhile applications are also being accepted for ‘point-to-point’ 45-mile route, which travels from Birmingham to Coventry.

Riders can also enter for one of the event’s official charities – Alzheimer’s Society, Stroke Association, NSPCC and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity.

Charity entries cost £20, with minimum fundraising targets also applying. Riders at this year’s event are once again expected to raise well over £1 million.

What are the routes for the 2020 event?

Both routes remain largely unchanged from 2019 but organisers have made some small changes.

They say the alterations have been made to improve the rider experience and minimise the impact of road closures on local communities.

Take a look at the 100-mile route with this interactive map

Sectors one and nine – the start and finish of the 100-mile route – will mostly affect Black Country residents.

• Centenary Square will mark the start line, located on the A4400, outside Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Cyclists then head towards Kingsbury on the A4097.

• The final section travels along Carters Lane and Spies Lane, in Halesowen, via Quinton, and along Ridgacre Road and Croftdown Road, onto Woodbourne Road and Augustus Road (B4284), arriving back in Birmingham city centre.

In between, sector two goes through Hurley and Church End, on the A4098, and sector three through Fillongley and Exhall.

Sector four takes Coventry City Centre, before turning towards Corley Moor and Meriden for sector five.

Sector six takes in Chadwick End, Hockley Heath and Dorridge, heading to Shirley for sector seven.

The Velo then heads back towards the Black Country via Rednal, on the B4096, via Rubery and Frankley Green, before reaching Howley Grange Road, near Halesowen.

Interactive map of the 45-mile route

Cyclists on the 45-mile route will also leave Centenary Square but cross the finish line by Coventry Cathedral.

It means Vélo Birmingham and Midlands is the only cycling event in the world that takes in two city centres as part of its route.

In between these two city centre adventures, the route will traverse through Warwickshire towns and villages such as Hurley and Fillongley, along with Solihull villages; Balsall Common, Berkswell and Cheswick Green, among others.

The stunning National Trust estate of Packwood House is another route highlight, while in Birmingham the Georgian streets of Edgbaston, and picturesque Bartley Green Reservoir also feature on the new route.

It’s expected local residents will once again line the streets and cheer on the cyclists in their thousands as local pubs and community halls host street parties and barbecues on the big day.

Organisers are advising road users to plan ahead for the event by looking at the detailed road closure maps and information on the event website.

Any residents with specific access questions are encouraged to email or call the event answering machine service on 0121 396 1296.

The route has been agreed in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Solihull Council, Warwickshire Council, Dudley Council and Sandwell Council, as well as emergency services and transport operators to minimise the impact of the necessary road closures.

Road closures will be in place at various times during the event day.

Businesses and residents, based on or near the route, are advised to check road closure timings and how best to navigate around them.

More than 650,000 detailed information leaflets will be distributed to all residential and business addresses on and around the route from February.

A dedicated team will also be engaging with businesses to raise awareness of the closures and find solutions to any access issues that arise.

Access for emergency services will be unaffected throughout and will always be prioritised during the event.

Representatives have been involved in the planning of the event as part of the Safety Advisory Group.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services at Dudley Council, said: “We’re pleased to be able to help host this major cycling event through our borough. It is largely the same route as last year, so only a handful of roads in Halesowen will be affected. We are working closely with the organisers to make sure the event passes safely and residents are not too inconvenienced.”

Councillor Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "With the 2022 Commonwealth Games now firmly on the horizon, Vélo Birmingham & Midlands is a fantastic reminder of the region’s ability to host world class sporting events with immense support from the general public.

“With both the 100 & 45 miles routes now on sale, I’d encourage anyone thinking of taking part to take the plunge and give it a go. The feeling of cycling on traffic-free, unpolluted roads through the West Midlands will be an experience to savour.”