Year by year, cities are becoming more bike friendly, with lanes, bridges, paths – make way, the two-wheelers are claiming territory!
Leading the path is Copenhagenize, an urban design and communications consultancy set out to encourage cycle infrastructure in our cities. To steer the cause, they’ve set up the bi-annual Copenhagenize Index, ranking the top 20 most bike friendly cities, based on the insights of urban planners, anthropologists and cycling buffs.
Following in the stride of the index, we’ve updated our list of the 2017 top 20 cities they love, we love, and you’ll soon love cycling through, too! This year, Minneapolis, Eindhoven, Dublin and Buenos Aires drop out of the ranking, leaving room for rising stars Tokyo (#9), Munich (#15), Helsinki (#18) and Oslo (#19). In part one, we outline the top 20-11. Read part two for the top 10 bike friendly cities.
20. Montréal, Québec, CA
Riverfront bike promenade in Montréal
Last on this top twenty list but definitely not the least of the world’s most bike friendly cities, Montréal has a lot to offer the visiting cyclist. In Montreal it isn’t a rare sight to see lycra-clad cyclists hanging out at the Parc Jeanne-Mance; cycle culture is alive and well here despite the long winters and hilly landscape. The Tour de l’île de Montréal, an annual citywide ride, is held every year in June, closing off 50km of streets to car circulation, encouraging new and expert cyclists to experience Montréal on wheels.
On a typical day, you can enjoy a stride through Montréal’s arty neighbourhood Mile End thanks to its bike lane. Pop in to the Cagibi Café for a cup of coffee and keep a hand free for a bagel at St-Viateur (because donuts are such a Canadian cliché).
19. Oslo, Norway
By day, by night, the bike citizens of Oslo commute on two wheels © Mashhour Halawani
Oslo makes its way as a bike friendly city regardless of its -3°C winters that could scare off even the bravest Vikings on two wheels. A city-wide bike share system, Oslo Bysykkel with over 100 stations facilitate bike rental (for 49 NOK {£5} a day), with an app indicating which nearby stations have parking docks available.
Main roads around the city like Markveien, Rådhusgata and Frognerstranda have well-defined bike paths, either unidirectional, bidirectional or in counterflow — floor markings and street signs simplify the communication of bike traffic. And although you can cycle in the winter, you are usually guaranteed clear and safe asphalt roads between April 1 – December 1.
Enjoy a seven-kilometre stroll around the Bygdøy peninsula, home to five national museums like the Norwegian museum of cultural history or the Viking Ship Museum, not to mention the Bygdøy Royal Manor with its 500-acre organic farm. The distances between each attraction being quite short, the bike is the ideal mode of transportation. And pedalling along the Akerselva River is also a scenic alternative to riding through the city centre.
18. Helsinki, Finland
Just a bit of snow never stopped the Finns
Follow the bright red roads to the heart of Helsinki. The Finnish capital is a comeback kid, ranked 15th in the 2011 Copenhagenize Index. The highlight of cycling in the city is the rail-cum-cycle path known as Baana, where cyclists and pedestrians enjoy a haven in the city centre. The Helsinki Bike Account of 2015 counts 743,100 cyclists on the Baana in a year. But the old freight railway isn’t the only perk of cycling here. Endless stretches of waterfront make a commute scenic and refreshing. Catch the sea breeze by following bike routes to the 300 islands composing the regions archipelago. You can join a four to five-hour bike tour, or take the Kivinokka nature trail out of the city and stop for beach dips or canoeing as you follow the coast.
17. Hamburg, Germany
Records aren’t the only things spinning in Hamburg
Ditch the car, the city of Hamburg is best seen by bike. The neighbourhood of HafenCity is a great place to start to measure the innovations sprouting in Hamburg. Bask in the sun while looking out over the old port warehouses turned residential. Cycle across bridges, over canals, past the screeches of roller coaster riders at Hamburger Dom, through to the hip scene happening in the Schanzenviertel quarter. Stock up on cool buys in stylish shops or, if you’re strolling through on a Saturday, rummage through the stalls at Flohschanze flea market. When you’re done rolling and looking for some rocking, swing on down to INDRA where the Beatles played. Today, you can enjoy everything from Soul, Funk, Blues, or whatever gets those Hamburg feet moving.
16. Nantes, France
Come rain or shine, cycling in Nantes is so fine
Although cycling is a great way of exploring Nantes, with large bike lanes smack dab in the centre of boulevards, the city has been reprimanded with a bump down nine spots this year on the index. The bike citizens of the city are showing steady desire for more urban infrastructure, but the competition to be the most bike friendly city is fierce!
Feel like the king of the road rolling down the Cours des 50 Otages, straying only to cut left past the old 18th century neighbourhood, inevitably drawn towards the castle Château des Ducs de Bretagne.
If you follow the Erdre River, you’ll probably be tempted to sneak a peek at the Lieu Unique, the reconverted LU biscuit factory that now houses cultural events and a hammam.
On the other side of the Loire, on the île de Nantes, ride your bike to the fantastical world of the Machines de l’île, a workshop playground/exhibit of giant mechanical animals. You’ll forget your bike for a moment while taking a ride on the giant wooden Elephant.
15. Munich, Germany
Bike, bike, baby in the bicycle capital of Germany © Bongsgraphy
Another German city shimmies its way onto the index, with due merit. Munich is the Radlhauptstadt, bicycle capital, of Germany as locals like to call it. Bike and ride is the motto, as the city encourages combining cycling and public transport by offering day passes to bring your bike on board the S-Bahn.
The city is also well-equipped in bike lanes, some 1,200 kilometres, numerous bike stands and garages. Copenhagenize mentions that the city plans to build several cycling superhighways, encouraging people to cycle outside of the city to explore the Bavarian countryside. The shores of the Isar River offer the perfect escape. You can follow it for over 150 kilometres, past towns and castles until it throws itself into the Danube.
Check out the cycle route planner (in German) to mark your path before hitting the pedal.
14. Seville, Spain
Sunset at the Metropol Parasol
Hop on the green bike lanes of Seville to get the most out of this southern Andalusian gem. After snapping a couple of pictures standing over the canals of Plaza de España, take the safe two-lane cycle paths along the Guadalquivir River to enjoy the tranquillity of Seville.
You can’t miss the Torre Del Oro as you pass by its imposing base, and make your way to the Royal Alcazar. The UNESCO World Heritage site will blow you away with its intricate motifs and architecture from the 1300’s. You’ve only begun to discover the beauty of Seville!
13. Paris, France
Place de la République, your next stop when cycling in Paris
Cycling in a big city can be intimidating. Paris has many roundabouts that don’t always accommodate the humble bike. Nevertheless, Paris is considered one of the best bike friendly cities thanks to a well-defined set of bike lanes, and great paths that lead you from the center to the greener outskirts. The city’s bike rental system Vélib allows you the liberty to rent a bike and park it all around the city.
Map your bike route on geovelo.fr, know your bike etiquette, and be fearless especially when engaging in busy intersections like Arc de Triomphe – Champs-Elysées or Bastille. From Bastille, follow the Boulevard Richard Lenoir north, making a pit-stop on Place de la République, and continuing along the Quai de Jemmapes. Follow the canal as it bends right towards the Bassin de la Villette where the waterside bike path will take you all the way to peacefully green Parc de Sevran.
Want to discover more great places to visit in Paris? Download the FREE momondo places city guide for iPhone!
12. Vienna, Austria
Cycle in Vienna on the Reichsbruecke Bridge over the Danube
Vienna is on the rise! The Austrian capital is a pioneer in a cargo bike share system and providing subsidies to citizens interested in purchasing one. The city of Vienna is counting on you and your bike to visit, literally – bike counters set up around the city give cyclists an idea of how many are passing at that point in a day, and the numbers are pretty encouraging.
From the tri-country (Germany, Austria, Hungary) Danube Cycle Path you can easily join the Sightseeing Bicycle Path Ringstrasse set up as an open air exhibit of Vienna’s monuments like the Opera, Parliament, and Burgtheater.
If you plan to visit Vienna in April, don’t miss the Argus Bike Festival with its bike flea market, workshops, and other bike related attractions. A real wheel-turner!
Read more: a guide to cycling around Vienna’s masterpieces
11. Barcelona, Spain
Life’s a beach in Barcelona
Getting around Barcelona by bike just makes sense – great weather to take advantage of, a city too huge to see by foot, and an environmentally aware vibe.
The long beachfront of Barceloneta is where you want to strut your stuff if you like beautiful beaches, but tuck into the backstreets for the charm of small neighbourhoods. Dive into the heart of the city by using the bike lanes that take you along the busy Avenida Diagonal to the infamous phallic Torre Agbar tower. As you take the street away from the Sagrada Familia, admire the famous facades and luxurious boutiques as you stroll down Passeig de Gracia. Check out these tips to get more ideas of what to see for free in Barcelona. One day, one bike, many sights!
