Most bicycle-friendly cities in the world

There are lots of cities in the world which are great to cycle in but there are a few which prioritise pedal power over all other modes of transport. If cycling is how you like to explore new places then consider these six cities which have bike lanes, dedicated bike-only paths and drivers who are generally more than willing to share the road.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands More than half of all the daily commuters in Amsterdam are on bicycles. Ergo, the city is most commonly referred to as the ‘bicycle capital of Europe’. Cycle paths often offer the quickest route to a destination, thus tempting tourists to join in with the locals and hop on to a bike. Safe and extensive route networks and a bike culture that transcends all class boundaries are the reasons why 40 percent of the city’s traffic moves on two wheels.


Copenhagen, Denmark Every day, one-third of Copenhagen’s population sets off to work or school by bike. The city has segregated bike tracks on both sides of the main road, giving cyclists a sense of space and security. For a truly bike-friendly experience, visit Christiana, a neighbourhood in Copenhagen that, in addition to setting up a semi-independent government, has banned cars. Copenhagen’s pro-bike culture goes so far as to allow you to rent a public bike for free by depositing a returnable fee.


Montreal, Canada
With 300 miles of bike trails throughout the city (including paths that pass through tourist centres like Old Montreal and the downtown area), Montreal is one city in North America where both locals and tourists, are encouraged to travel by bike. The bike scene does not slow down in winters, with the city removing snow from the paths, sometimes even faster than it is removed from the streets. And what makes the city a true winner is its urban bike-sharing infrastructure, a first in North America.


Barcelona, Spain Fine weather and hundreds of hidden city gems encourage visitors in Barcelona to traverse the city on bike. Barcelona’s ‘Bicing program’, is one of the many mass bike rental systems that have popped up recently in Europe and beyond. There are about 100 stations across the city that hold about 3,000 bikes, which the residents can pick up at one point and drop off at another.


Paris, France
One of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Paris, also has an expansive bicycle-sharing system to encourage visitors and residents alike to pedal around the city. The city is home to the world’s largest public bicycle rental program, Vélib, where 20,000 stylish bikes are distributed among 1,450 rental stations. The most famous bicycle race in the world, Tour de France, also kicks off from Paris.


Portland, Oregon What most people consider the ‘bicycling capital of US’—Portland—has a biking culture that is thriving and accessible. Dedicated bike paths like the Springwater Corridor mean that cyclists can ride for miles without ever spotting a car. Always quick to embrace cyclist-friendly innovations, Portland was the first city in the US to implement bike boxes (painted street markings for cyclists) at intersections and elementary-school bike commuting trains. And to help out the community, the city offers low cost commuter bikes to those who cannot afford one.