The Best European Cities For Cycling, According To New Analysis
Cycling while traveling abroad isn't just a budget-friendly alternative — it's a great way to get a feel for a new city while taking in the landmarks and historic neighborhoods on two wheels. Biking as a form of transportation is more common than ever in many cities, but there are still certain destinations that are more bike-friendly than others.
The ferry and cruise operator DFDS looked at a number of popular European cities, looking at factors like cycling infrastructure and designated bike trails, flatness, rain and wind, and social media searches, to best understand the cities that stand out for cyclists while traveling abroad.
Here are the best European cities for cycling, according to the new analysis:
Young romantic couple of tourists using bicycles near the Eiffel tower in Paris, France getty
Is there anything more romantic than a bike ride through the winding streets of Paris? The capital of France earned first spot due to its comprehensive network of over a thousand kilometers of cycling lanes throughout the city, which makes it easy to get to the biggest tourist spots and landmarks via bicycle. It also boasts a flatness score of 9.2, which makes cycling more pleasurable than exerting.
Munich earned second place on the list thanks to its network of bike trails in and out of the city center. There are plenty of bike routes that start in the center of town and lead directly out of the city, including the Isar Cycle Path on the River Isar and the M-Wasserweg to Lake Tegernsee. Helsinki
HELSINKI, FINLAND: Bicycles for rent in Helsinki, Finland. There are 1400 Alepa bikes in the city. getty
The extensive cycle network in Helsinki makes this Finnish city another appealing option for cyclists. The city is easy to get around by bike but also has marked routes in parks and natural landmarks that allow cyclists to enjoy a more leisurely bike ride through its forests rather than just cycling for transportation purposes. Amsterdam
Amsterdam might be one of the most famous cycling destinations in the world — and it's easy to see why. There are more than 400 kilometers of cycling paths throughout the city and cycling is one of the main modes of transportation in Holland, which means drivers and pedestrians are used to cyclists and make it easy to get into the flow of cycling culture without necessarily disrupting traffic or local life. Strasbourg
Street with cyclists at sunset in Strasbourg, France getty
The second French city on the list, Strasbourg boasts more than 600 kilometers of cycling paths throughout the city. In recent years the city has seen a shift from cars to public transportation and cycling as the main form of transportation, which makes cycling through the city pleasant and easy. Frankfurt
Frankfurt is the second German city on the list and boasts both cycling lanes for transportation and paths in nature for more pleasant and leisurely bike rides. It boasts 10 kilometers of bike lanes per 10,000 people, which is the third highest on the list. Lyon
Bikers passing through Place des Jacobins, Lyon, France getty
The third French city on the list, Lyon boasts an impressive 870 kilometers of cycling lanes all over the city. The cycling routes are designed for commuters but can easily get travelers to all the biggest landmarks and historic neighborhoods in the city. Stockholm
Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities to get lost in while cycling, the water views juxtaposed against historic buildings and more than a thousand kilometers of bike lanes makes cycling through this city an activity in and of itself even if you're just getting from point A to point B. Ghent
Sunrise view on the water channel with beautiful old buildings with woman standing near the bicycles in Ghent city getty
The only Belgian city to make the list, it's very common for locals in Ghent to opt to cycle as their main form of transportation over driving. The city has the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe, which makes it a much more relaxing destination for amateur cyclists. Lille
Lille is the fourth French city on the list and earned its spot thanks to the abundance of cycling routes and trails that lead from the city center into the countryside. It has also been accredited with the Accueil Vélo label, affirming even further its status as a cyclist-friendly city.
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