With the border reopening and economies shifting to green energy, more cities around the world are now embracing bicycles as the primary means of transportation. For locals and tourists, it is a great way to explore local cafes, restaurants, and other city gems.
Exploring the city on a bike lets you see more in a day while blending in with the locals at the same time.
Here is the list of the most bicycle-friendly cities around Europe and if you are a cycling enthusiast, these are the places you should not miss:
- Strasbourg
For those who enjoy an active vacation, cycling around Strasbourg is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the French region of Alsace. In Strasbourg, 16% of the population rides their bikes to work. The city center, which is surrounded by the River Ill, is a typical central European urban ensemble, exhibiting a fascinating blend of French and German influences and reflecting the city's political and religious transformations from medieval times.
A big portion of the ancient city center is car-free, so you may cycle or walk without fear of being hit by a car while touring. The bicycle network connects every major tourist site (Petite France, the European Parliament, the German quarter, parks)
Vélhop, Strasbourg's bike-sharing system, rents bikes for €5 per day. Vélhop is convenient and economical, with high-quality bikes that are locked and serviced on a regular basis.
- Antwerp
Antwerp, Belgium's second-largest city, is a fantastic cycling destination. It's compact, the infrastructure appears to be improving every year, and getting around is simple with a communal bicycle.
Antwerp's market square is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. "Many people pedal on a regular basis," the city boasts, "due to almost 500 km of safe and comfortable cycling pathways." The numbered junction network, cycle roads, and bike routes all combine to make cycling a quick and easy experience."
In 2006, the majestic Antwerp Central Station constructed an underground bicycle parking garage with 1,000 bicycles. This service is provided without charge.
- Utrecht
Utrecht is a lively city with a bike-friendly environment. Every day, about 125,000 bikers pass through the city center on their way to work, school, university, public transportation, stores, or home.
In Utrecht, bicycles are everywhere, but that isn't enough for the city: by 2030, the number of bicycle journeys to work will have doubled.
Utrecht is investing in "fast lanes" for e-bikes, sophisticated traffic guiding systems, and world-record-breaking bicycle parking spaces: the world's largest bicycle parking garage, with a capacity for 22,000 bikes, is being developed in the Dutch city. There are now 33,000 bicycle parking places around the central station.
- Amsterdam
By 2022, Amsterdam hopes to enhance the parking situation for bicycles and existing infrastructure through an action plan. In light of the continually increasing number of bikers, one of the solutions being considered is the enlargement of current bike lanes to allow for safe overtaking.
In addition, by 2025, 11,000 automobile parking spaces will be converted into standing areas for bikes. In addition, a new pedestrian and cycling bridge is being constructed, and the city intends to relegate mopeds to the street from downtown bike lanes.
Renting a bike (fiets verhuur) is simple and inexpensive, with a basic back-pedal single gear bike costing roughly €10 for a day rental. If you rent for a longer amount of time or in a group, you can get lower daily rates.
- Copenhagen
Copenhagen is and will continue to be the most bike-friendly city on the planet. Since 2015, the Danish capital has been at the top of the rankings. Bike travel accounts for 62 percent of all work and school trips in this city. The city spends an average of 40 euros per resident on cycling infrastructure, which includes new cycle bridges, 167 kilometers of new cycle lanes into the countryside, as well as lighting, signage, and repair stations.
Cycling is popular among people of all ages in Copenhagen, not only because it is safe, but also because it feels safe.
Prepare for a great season of adventure
These bike-friendly European cities are once again opening their doors to tourists. It's also great to learn that during the pandemic, they improved their cycling paths in preparation to the influx of tourists. Cycling improves your health and gives you a wider perspective when you go out and about the city. Aside from that, it also helps to revive the local economy.
Go pack your bags and update your digital maps because you've got a great deal of cities to explore this season!