A place is bike-friendly if it doesn’t put cyclists in competition with cars. This makes it simple for people who walk to get on two wheels and save money on gas, car insurance, and other costs. It also helps people get and stay healthy, improves the city’s air quality, and is a fun way for guests to see a new place. City governments that make biking easier are mostly helping themselves.
Top 8 Cycle-Friendly Cities Worldwide
1. Portland
Portland has one of the highest percentages of people who bike to work in any city in the United States. About 8% of people in Portland ride their bikes to work because of the new bike lanes. In this country, that is about 10 times the normal. It is well known that the northwest is a beautiful and natural place to live. Portland has many programs that help keep the city looking nice. One of these projects is a fairly new practice in biking, which is becoming more and more popular all the time.
2. Paris
People have a very romantic idea of France as a place where people ride bikes slowly through the countryside. This shot isn’t just about the pretty country, though. Cycling is a great way to get around Paris. The city has made it easy to bike from one beautiful spot to the next, both cheaply and environmentally friendly. There are bike routes and places to rent bikes. Another thing is that bike lanes are getting longer and longer all over Paris. Some city roads are closed to cars on Sundays but open to cyclists to encourage people to ride their bikes instead, which is better for the environment.
3. Barcelona
Tourists can easily get around Barcelona on bikes. Bicycle trails, scenic routes that range from easy to tough, and places to rent bikes are all available. In the city, some companies even offer bike tours. On trails like the Passeig de les Aigües, the way that wildlife and cityscape meet is very interesting. Here’s the real magic of riding a bike in Barcelona. Still, there are urban paths that let cyclists ride along the city’s main streets to shop, see the sights, and more. This is the easiest way in Barcelona, so even people who have never been on a bike before can handle it.
4. Montreal
There are a lot of great bike tracks and lanes in Montreal that let you ride your bike anywhere in the city. In 2009, Montreal started a scheme to let people share bikes along this network, which made it even better. The name of it is Bixi Montreal. People pay the needed fee at a simple pay station, and then the bike is freed from its dock. This means that people who don’t own bikes can still use the city’s bike system. It also makes renting bikes easy for tourists.
5. Berlin
In Berlin, there are many ways to get around, from high-tech to two-wheeled. Berlin’s bike lanes are well-built, which makes riding a bike easy. Even though these roads aren’t the Autobahn, they get people where they need to go on their own. Many miles of bike trails are also built on and off of roads. If riding a bike is too hard for you, you can always ride a bicycle rickshaw, where you can sit easily while someone else pedals. Soon, people who ride bikes will also be able to use what are called “bicycle sharing systems.”
6. Amsterdam
Amsterdam may be the most well-known city for how bike-friendly it is. People who ride bikes can use bike racks, bike paths through the city, and even buildings that work like parking garages. Some people like riding bikes more than walking, so there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. Bicycling is easier to use in cities than driving a car, so people of all ages, classes, and jobs will be seen riding them. It’s a sad fact that bikes are often stolen, so visitors, commuters, and recreational cyclists should all lock their bikes up in one of the city’s many safe garages.
7. Copenhagen
More than 35% of people in Copenhagen ride their bikes to and from work, school, and other places. This is mostly because the city has a lot of bike paths and takes safety measures for them, like putting up different signs for bike lanes in some places. People from outside the city can use bicycles that belong to the city for a small fee. They are spread out in busy places. It’s because Copenhagen’s bike facilities are so good that other places are trying to copy them.
8. Tokyo
Biking is a great way to get around Tokyo and see the sights. Bicyclists can go through parks with grass. Places that let bikes go will take them by stores, bars, famous spots, and more. Like other bike-friendly towns, Tokyo has a number of places to rent bikes and shops where you can buy and fix bikes. People who aren’t familiar with the city’s bike tracks will find it easy to find a good bike tour listing, whether they want to go on a guided tour or do their own sightseeing.
