Our countdown of the friendliest cities for urban cycling continues! Utilising the expert analysis of urban planners, anthropologists and cycling enthusiasts from the urban design and communications consultancy Copenhagenize, these 10 cities might not be re-inventing the wheel, but they excel in encouraging locals and travellers alike to get out, hop on a bike and ride, ride, ride!
Missed numbers 20-11? Make a U-Turn and check them out here.
10. Berlin, Germany
The Berlin wall tells a story you’ll want to follow
Focusing on sustainable transport, traffic-free streets and cargo-biking, Berlin gets a boost on the ranking, but a close eye will be kept to make sure the city plans routes accordingly. Circulating around the city of Berlin isn’t always as safe as the Berliners would like, often putting up with proximity with speeding cars, but nevertheless if you’re just visiting Berlin, the best way to see the highlights is by bike.
A bike path known as the Berlin Wall trail follows what was once the border between East and West – back then impossible to cross, but you’ll be able to discover the likes of the Reichstag building on one side and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews on the other. North of the Invalidenstrasse, you’ll be able to imagine the wall for yourself where parts of the Inner wall still remain. Berlin on bike is a must!
Want more Berlin travel ideas? Download our free momondo places city guide to Berlin for hand-picked inspiration and local tips.
9. Tokyo, Japan
The megacity is striving to become more bike friendly for Tokyoites
In rolls Tokyo as the new starlet on this year’s bike friendly cities index. It’s not uncommon to find business men and mothers transporting two kids on a bike, commuting on the daily from their residential neighbourhoods to the nearest rail network. Relatively safe and friendly, bikes are a great complement to public transit and a healthy alternative to traffic-ridden car rides.
Megacity Tokyo is not only overflowing with more than nine million people, crawling across the busy intersections, but you’ll also have to juggle cycling (and driving) on the left side of the road. Commuters may have to share their lane with freight trucks or parallel parked cars, but when the lane is clear, you’ll see the blue arrows painted on the ground indicating the bike-dedicated passages. You may see bikes overtaking the pavement as well – although sometimes tolerated on larger sidewalks, it remains illegal in most places, so be aware. Read more tips about biking in this city with Tokyo by Bike. In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyoites can expect 400 kilometres of new bicycle routes across the city. Until then, for longer, more scenic cycling, check out the bike routes at Showa Kinen Koen, a national government park about an hour outside of Tokyo by public transit. There you’ll find cycle paths and flower beds perfect for the picnic day out of the city.
8. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Brave the dragon in Ljubljana
Ljubljana is for lovers – bike lovers, castle lovers, and ecology lovers. The Slovenian capital climbed five spots on the index this year thanks to its efforts to prove itself as European Green Capital 2016. The city’s efforts to think green are visible in its waste management and encouragement to cycle as a means of transportation.
If the force of the city’s emblematic Dragon inhabits you, courageously cycle uphill to the Ljubljana Castle. For those who care less for a view and more for local delights, cycle to Vodnikov Trg where the central markets sprawl across two squares with abundant arrays of foraged vegetables, local honey, and homemade cheeses.
7. Antwerp, Belgium
Blend in with the locals by cycling in the Diamond District
Famous for fashion, diamonds, and art, the Flemish city of Antwerp is also great for urban cycling! Witness the city’s history on the impressive facades, from the medieval Grote Markt (Great Market Square) with City Hall and the Brabo Fountain, to the ultra-modern MAS museum. Ride around the Het Eilandje district, an old port and the city’s economic pride in the success in the 1800s, in transition to becoming a fashionable area. As you cycle back towards the city centre, you’ll regret not stopping into the Cathedral of Our Lady to admire the massive Rubens masterpieces. Afterwards make sure you stock up on beer, Belgian frites, and chocolate, and then head for the diamond district, perhaps for a souvenir that lasts forever. Big-spender or not, you’ll enjoy the charm of the small alleys and the company of Orthodox Jews on bikes.
6. Bordeaux, France
Ride and reflect on Bordeaux’s Miroir d’Eau
If you’re looking for a French city with good cycling, good sights, and good wine, then visit Bordeaux. Thanks to the new tram networks, the city benefits from calmer traffic making it agreeable to cycle from point A to point B – especially if you use the city’s bike share system VCub.
Experience one of France’s bike friendly cities on two wheels, from the shores of the Garonne, splashing through the Miroir d’Eau fountain, and getting lost in the ghostly Submarine Base where art meets heritage.
If rolling in wine sounds like your kind of thing, you’ve come to the right place. The Ecole du Vins will help you brush up on your wine knowledge just enough to feel like a know-it-all during a wine tasting at one of the many vineyards in the Bordelais region. Just remember to not drink and ride!
5. Malmö, Sweden
Indulge in window shopping on Södergatan in Malmö
It comes as no surprise that Malmö is Sweden’s leading bicycle city, benefiting from the success of urban cycling leader Copenhagen just over the Öresund strait. A cycle along the beach at Scaniaparken will give you the sea air fix you need in the winter, and you can catch those much-needed sun rays while sitting on the Scaniabadet stairs.
A craving for something fishy? Head on your bike in direction of Malmöhus Slott castle, stopping at the Fiskehoddorna where fisherman’s huts display the catch of the day. Window shop on the pedestrian streets like Södergatan where you can park your bike and warm up with a coffee at Solde Kafferosteri. Coffee, bikes, and sea air – it doesn’t get much better than this!
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4. Strasbourg, France
Stop and stare: the Petite France in Strasbourg is picture perfect
In a constant initiative to reduce the presence of cars in the city centre, Strasbourg city has set up numerous bike lines and an efficient city bike rental system. For a ride through time, rent a Vélhop and stride through the Grande Ile, Strasbourg’s historic centre recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. The multi-coloured half-timbered houses in Petite France neighbourhood will give you a charm overload, but don’t fall off your bike quite yet, you still have things to do in Strasbourg: see the stunning Strasbourg Cathedral and its remarkable Astronomical clock – don’t miss its performance at 12:30.
As you’re virtually on the French door towards Germany, take a day trip along the Piste des Forts bike trail to the nearby neighbour, enjoying the cool forest atmosphere on the way.
3. Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Where’s your bike at Fietsflat bike garage?
Ranking number one in 2011 and 2013, Amsterdam is ideal for urban cycling with its flat terrain and 400 kilometres of bike path around the city. Just a look at the sea of bicycles at Fietsflat bike garage gives you an idea of how many people you’ll be pedalling alongside. On the banks of the historic canals, or on the grassy Museumplein, you can see cyclists catching a few rays of sunshine with their loyal steed.
To enjoy a leisurely stroll, push past the dinging bells of the commuters on the main streets and wander from Nieuwmarket Square towards the Amstel River that gives the city its name. On the Magere Bridge, literally translated as the Skinny Bridge, watch the ebb and flow of life on the water. As the sun sets and the bridge’s little yellow bulbs light up, venture into the hip De Pijp neighbourhood where you can stumble upon bars like Mash or Boelen & Boelen serving up the local charm in every cup.
Want to know Amsterdam inside and out? Download our free offline momondo places city guide to Amsterdam for local tips.
2. Utrecht, the Netherlands
A friendly stroll looking for things to do in Utrecht
Once you’ve seen Amsterdam over and under, then try Utrecht, up one spot from third to second place on the index, and one of our favourite EU city break destinations of 2017. Watch the perfectly choreographed dance of cyclists at rush hour or partake in the organised chaos by doing your own tour of Utrecht.
Follow the Domtoren (Dom Tower) that points like an arrow at the end of the bricked Zadelstraat Street to discover the historic heart of the city or grab a Utrecht Strong Ale at the new Beers & Barrels on the under-street-level Oudegracht promenade. Bikes are on the rise in Utrecht – soon to see the light is the world’s largest bike garage. A solution to house 12,500 bikes until now being reluctantly (or ironically) parked by frustrated (or humorous) cyclists on “do not park your bike here” signposts!
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1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Cycling Copenhageners on Cykelslangen bike bridge
The bike city to dethrone all bike friendly cities is Copenhagen – the most bike friendly city in the world, as outlined in the Copenhagenize Cycling Index, for the second time in a row.
In a city where close to half of the working and studying population uses bikes as a form of transport, it’s only logical that the city evolves to adapt to their needs. First thing, rent a bike. If you grab one at social enterprise Baisikeli whose mission is to collect used bikes and send them to disfavored African communities, you can dive right into cycle mode by rolling along Cykelslangen (The Cycle Snake) over the modern south harbour towards the wild fields of Amager.
Once you’ve gained a bit of practice and have become an intrepid cyclist, you’re ready to roll the streets of the vibrant Nørrebro neighbourhood. Bike traffic is at its peak on the Nørrebrogade axis – join if you dare and blend in with the Danes on two wheels. If you need to tap out, hop on the bike path Nørrebroruten (that becomes Den Gronne Sti), from conceptual park Superkilen to posh Frederiksberg to the west of the city. Riding with company? Gear up with a cargo bike and take your hot ride around town.
Looking for more tips? Download the momondo places city guide for Copenhagen with more than 200 recommendations from locals.
