Top Bike-Friendly Cities in the World
When it comes to urban cycling, which cities get it right? Navigating a city on two wheels can be a pleasurable experience, often taken for granted when your city’s cycling infrastructure works seamlessly. However, that’s not the case universally. In some cities, cycling can be incredibly frustrating or even dangerous, characterized by impossibly narrow bike lanes that run alongside traffic or incomplete cycle networks that lead nowhere. Unfortunately, in many places, politicians do not consider cycling a viable form of transport.
If you want to know which cities are excelling in urban cycling efforts, the Copenhagenize Index is a valuable resource. This biannual report evaluates 115 cities worldwide, assessing global progress in urban cycling. Factors considered include biking infrastructure, bike-sharing programs, cycling safety, and gender balance, ultimately identifying the most bike-friendly cities.
Leading Cities in Cycling Infrastructure
Unsurprisingly, Copenhagen emerged at the top of the latest report. Cycling is ingrained in the culture of this Danish capital, with 62% of residents preferring to commute by bike. The city features an extensive network of cycle paths and bridges, making it safe and easy for cyclists to traverse. Furthermore, city officials are continuously working to enhance the urban cycling experience.
Following Copenhagen, Amsterdam secured second place, focusing on accommodating the increasing number of cyclists. The city plans to widen bike lanes, develop low-speed cycle streets, and improve intersection safety. Additionally, there is an ambitious initiative to eliminate 11,000 car parking spots by 2025, creating space for trees, bikes, and pedestrians.
Utrecht, another Dutch city, ranks third, thanks to its exceptional cycling infrastructure. What distinguishes Utrecht is its innovation and strong political will. Report authors note that local politicians prioritize cycling as a primary mode of transportation, with a goal to double bicycle commuting by 2030.
Belgium’s Antwerp follows in fourth place, scoring high for its commitment to enhancing cycle networks and plans to implement a 30 km/hr (18.6 mph) speed limit on 95% of its streets. France’s Strasbourg completes the top five, with initiatives to expand its cycling networks into suburban areas.
In North America, only Montréal and Vancouver made it to the top 20, both sharing the 18th position. These cities are actively enhancing their urban cycling networks. Additionally, Bogotá, Colombia, ranks 12th, attributed to its Ciclovía, a weekly initiative that closes over 60 miles of city streets to cars on Sundays, allowing citizens to navigate freely by bike or foot. Other notable non-European cities include Tokyo, Japan (16th), and Taipei, Taiwan (17th), both recognized for their excellent bike-sharing schemes and orderly cycling networks.
Summary of the Top Bike-Friendly Cities
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Utrecht, Netherlands
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Strasbourg, France
- Bordeaux, France
- Oslo, Norway
- Paris, France
- Vienna, Austria
- Helsinki, Finland
- Bremen, Germany
- Bogotá, Colombia
- Barcelona, Spain
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Berlin, Germany
- Tokyo, Japan
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Montréal, Canada, and Vancouver, Canada
- Hamburg, Germany
