Tourism on two wheels can be heaven or hell. It all depends on the city. Some cities don’t seem to go too well with bicycles, and then there are others that are impossible to understand without them.
Remember Queen’s “I want to ride my bicycle”? Now, the question is where?
Amsterdam hardly needs any introduction when it comes to cycling. The city can be covered from top to bottom on bike lanes, and although it’s estimated that 1.5 million bicycles pass through the city streets each day, it’s still worth checking out. However, it’s also true that in the areas around the city centre and due to the massive expansion of tourism you’ll need a certain amount of patience and to keep your wits about you as the locals are experts at overtaking and the tram always seems to appear when you least expect it.
The city of Antwerp is another fantastic example of planning bike lanes in the north of Europe, but it all depends on whether you try the famous Belgian beer before getting on your bike.
Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, is another city that deserves to be discovered on two wheels, and as it’s a costly city, it’s a fantastic way to get around and reduce costs. There are public rental bikes where you only have to leave a €3 deposit that you get back at the end of the day. One in three executives goes to work by bike each day, and all those in high heels and suits are fully insured.
Sweden is another paradise for bike lovers. In Malmö, which is the third biggest city in the country has most of the old town reserved only for bicycles. In fact, a third of all the movement in the city is by bike, and another important factor is that the city has 24-hour parking space for 1500 bicycles beside the train and bus station.
Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, is the benchmark for French cities. A city whose landscapes looks like something out of a fairy tale and are ideal for cycling as there’s a French-German route of 85km along the Rhine River.
In Spain, the implementation of bike lanes is moving slowly, and we’ve got a lot to learn from our European neighbours. However, all is not lost as Seville boasts some 140km of cycle lanes.
Travelling alone or with the family, there’s no excuse not to visit some of these bike-friendly cities that will make it easier for you to get around regardless of whether you’re on a single-seat bike, a tandem or riding with a baby.
Enjoy the ride!
