10 Best Cities in the World to See Riding on Bicycle
10 Best Cities in the World to See Riding on Bicycle.Getting out on a bike and exploring a new city is a fantastic way to see how locals live. When you pedal a different route, you can also get a fresh perspective on the city’s landmarks and architecture.
The Global Bicycle Index ranked 90 cities worldwide to determine which are the best places for cyclists. The cities scored based on their percentage of bicycle users, weather conditions, infrastructure, and bike-sharing programs.
- Copenhagen
Whether you’re on vacation or a local, riding around town on two wheels is a great way to explore a city. It’s also a healthy, eco-friendly and fun option.
Copenhagen, Denmark, is one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities. Its expansive bike network makes it easy for people to pedal on their own.
- Montreal
Montreal is a bicycle paradise, with hundreds of kilometres of bike lanes and paths. It was ranked number one in North America in the latest annual People For Bikes ranking.
The city has embraced cycling “in a big way” over the past decade, creating hundreds of kilometres of bikeways and making it easy to hire a bicycle. The Reseau Express Velo (REV) is one of its signature accomplishments.
- Tokyo
A sprawling metropolis with Michelin-starred restaurants, tiny shrines, high-end fashion and quirky culture, Tokyo offers a variety of ways to explore.
Its train system is the busiest in the world, chugging more than 8.7 million commuters daily through its underground tunnels. But there’s a way to experience the city without getting lost in the crowd: rent a bike.
- Eindhoven
Despite being known as a city for cars, Eindhoven has an exceptionally dedicated bicycle network. In the centre of town, the car free shopping area is surrounded by a huge multi-lane one way gyratory that separates cyclists from cars.
The city also has a great art scene with a number of renowned museums and a fantastic yearly event Dutch Design Week that celebrates design and art in the city.
- Bogota
Bogota is home to one of the best cycling infrastructures in the world, as well as a cycling culture that’s been praised around the globe. It also has a long-standing Ciclovia tradition where every Sunday, a large portion of the city streets are closed to cars and opened for walking or riding bicycles.
You’ll cycle through neighborhoods like La Candelaria, a historic neighborhood that houses Spanish Colonial, Baroque and art deco architecture. It’s also a hotbed of street art.
- Seville
The city of Seville has become an increasingly bike-friendly destination. Thanks to a bike network that has grown over the years, it could soon challenge Amsterdam as the unofficial cycling capital of Europe.
Explore Seville by bicycle on safe and green cycle lanes, and get to know this southern Andalusian gem from a whole new perspective. Take in the river, visit monuments like the Torre del Oro and the Royal Alcazar, and enjoy tapas along the way!
- Utrecht
Known for its quaint medieval center, Utrecht is one of the best cities in the world to see riding on bicycle. This is according to a new study from Luko, a European digital insurance company that compiled a list of 90 cities to determine the most cycling-friendly towns worldwide.
In the Netherlands, it is common for young children to ride their bikes independently. This is an indicator that the city takes biking seriously, ensuring that the streets are safe for everyone to use.
- Munich
The “bicycle capital” of Germany, Munich is a city where the streets are made for two-wheeled travel. In addition to dedicated bike lanes, it has reduced speed limits on certain streets and offers nearly 700 miles of routes.
Whether it’s riding the Isar River or biking through the English Garden, cycling is a great way to get out and explore this gorgeous city. Besides, it’s also the best way to get to some of the best beer gardens around!
- Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a bike-friendly utopia with an expansive network of bike paths and lanes. It’s also a safe city for cyclists of all ages and abilities.
Its bridges, including Olafur Eliasson’s Circle Bridge (Cirkelbroen), offer spectacular views of the city. Bicycles are a big part of everyday life in Copenhagen, and the city has been making a concerted effort to increase cycling rates.
- Montreal
According to the annual ranking of People For Bikes, Montreal is the best city in the world to see riding on bicycle. This bilingual city, set on an island in the St. Lawrence River, has embraced bicycles in a big way.
The city’s bike infrastructure is impressive, with hundreds of kilometers of paths and lanes, according to Copenhagenize, as well as a bike share program called BIXI. You can rent a bike or take a tour from one of the many reputable local companies.
