Listed below are 12 Superb Cities to Discover by Bicycle in 2025

0
odense.jpg


Some cities are simply higher to discover by bicycle. They’ve a historical past and a tradition, however additionally they have the infrastructure that makes it secure and straightforward. Not solely is exploring by bicycle extra eco-friendly and inexpensive, it additionally lets you see the sights at a leisurely tempo and get some train within the course of. Whereas well-known biking cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam are at all times price a go to, there are additionally loads of lesser-known cities world wide which might be good for exploring on two wheels.

Listed below are 12 of our favourite cities to discover by bicycle in 2025.

Odense, Denmark

Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, is also known as Denmark’s biking metropolis. It boasts a powerful 560+ kilometers of cycle paths, making certain secure and environment friendly journey for residents and guests alike. Town’s Biking Plan 2030 goals to make Odense the perfect biking metropolis in Denmark, with additional investments in infrastructure and inexperienced corridors.

The Odense River Path is a must-ride route, following the meandering river by means of parks and forests. Cyclists can go to landmarks just like the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and the charming previous city. For an extended journey, attempt the Fjord Route, which takes riders alongside the scenic Odense Fjord to quaint fishing villages.

Town’s dedication to sustainability and its wealthy cultural historical past make it a pleasant vacation spot for cyclists.

explore

Odense bicycle pathway and lightweight rail. (Picture: Go to Odense)

Paris, France

Paris is present process a biking renaissance, reworking itself right into a world-class vacation spot for city cyclists. Town now options over 1,000 kilometers of motorcycle lanes, with plans to increase beneath its bold €250 million Plan Vélo. Paris additionally has Europe’s largest bike-sharing program, Vélib’ Métropole, with greater than 20,000 bicycles, together with e-bikes, out there throughout 1,400 stations.

Biking alongside the Seine River is now a quintessential Parisian expertise, providing views of iconic landmarks just like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral, due to initiatives to take away energetic automobile lanes. For a greener escape, head to the Bois de Vincennes, a sprawling park with devoted bike paths winding by means of forests, lakes, and gardens. One other favourite is the La Coulée Verte René-Dumont, an elevated path that stretches 4.7 kilometers, providing a novel perspective of Paris.

Past infrastructure, Paris boasts a thriving biking tradition, showcased by occasions like La Journée Sans Voiture, when automobiles are banned from town heart. Cyclists may also take pleasure in themed excursions, such because the Hidden Paris Tour, which highlights lesser-known neighborhoods and historic websites. With its deal with sustainable transport, Paris goals to develop into a 100% cyclable metropolis by 2026, making certain its place among the many world’s high biking locations.

Trying to get out of town? Attempt the Seine à Vélo cycle route, a 420-km jaunt from Paris alongside the Seine River to Le Havre or Deauville on the coast.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal has lengthy been a pioneer in North American city biking, boasting greater than 1,000 kilometers of motorcycle paths, together with the progressive Réseau Specific Vélo (REV). This bold venture is creating large, protected bike highways to attach key neighborhoods. Town additionally options one of many continent’s most profitable bike-sharing packages, BIXI Montreal.

For a scenic journey, discover the Lachine Canal Path, a 14.5-kilometer route providing waterfront views, historic websites, and peaceable inexperienced areas. Cyclists searching for a problem can journey as much as Mount Royal Park, the place winding paths result in breathtaking panoramas of town. One other in style route is the Claire-Morissette Bikeway, a central hall connecting town’s east and west.

Montreal’s biking tradition thrives year-round, with winter biking supported by the Vélo sous Zéro initiative, which inspires secure, cold-weather using. Town additionally hosts the annual Go Vélo Montreal Pageant, together with the Tour de l’Île, a car-free occasion that pulls tens of hundreds of riders. With its emphasis on innovation and inclusivity, Montreal continues to set the usual for biking in North America.

As well as, Montreal is well one of the crucial European cities in North America and a beautiful place to go to particularly over the summer time when there are such a lot of festivals and the streets are overrun with individuals.

Go Bike Montreal bicycle festival

Go Bike Montreal bicycle competition

Glasgow, Scotland

Glasgow, Scotland is rising as one of many UK’s most progressive cities for biking, due to substantial funding in infrastructure and a rising dedication to sustainable transport. Town boasts some 300 kilometers of cycle paths and on-road cycle lanes, with extra beneath growth. Key tasks embody the South Metropolis Manner, a devoted biking hall by means of town heart, and the Avenue Venture, which integrates bike-friendly streets into the city panorama.

For scenic rides, head to the 106-km Forth and Clyde Canal Path, which gives a flat, family-friendly journey by means of lush countryside to the neighboring city of Falkirk, house to the spectacular Kelpies sculptures and the distinctive Falkirk Wheel.

Glasgow’s biking tradition is well known by means of initiatives like Nextbike Glasgow, a bike-sharing system with over 500 bikes out there throughout 60 stations. In 2023, Glasgow turned the primary metropolis to host the UCI Biking World Championships, additional cementing its status as a world biking hub.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a paradise to discover by bicycle and an inviting vacation spot for vacationers, mixing scenic routes with wealthy cultural and leisure points of interest. Town’s in depth bike infrastructure consists of over 120 miles of on-street bikeways, devoted bike lanes, and off-street trails, making it simple to discover its many neighborhoods and pure landmarks. The long-lasting Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a 51-mile path community, connects a number of the metropolis’s most beautiful sights, together with serene lakes, lush parks, and the winding Mississippi River. Cyclists can journey by means of Minnehaha Regional Park to go to Minnehaha Falls, a panoramic 53-foot waterfall, or discover the Chain of Lakes, the place biking paths loop round glowing waters and provide loads of picnic spots.

Minneapolis can be house to a thriving arts and culinary scene, making it a improbable place to cease and discover alongside your journey. Take a break on the Walker Artwork Heart’s Sculpture Backyard to snap a photograph with the well-known “Spoonbridge and Cherry,” or bike over to Northeast Minneapolis for a style of town’s craft breweries and meals vehicles. Downtown, the historic Stone Arch Bridge gives beautiful views of town skyline and St. Anthony Falls, good for a leisurely journey. With bike-friendly streets, plentiful rental choices, and a welcoming biking neighborhood, Minneapolis is a must-visit for each avid cyclists and informal riders seeking to take pleasure in a novel technique to see town.

minneapolis one of the highest ratings for a city in America

Minneapolis one of many highest bicycle-friendly rankings for a metropolis in America

Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv, considered one of Europe’s oldest repeatedly inhabited cities, blends historical past and modernity with its rising community of bike-friendly infrastructure. Set towards the backdrop of Bulgaria’s picturesque hills, Plovdiv seamlessly blends historic historical past with trendy allure. Its Previous City, a UNESCO World Heritage website, is a treasure trove of cobblestone streets, colourful Nineteenth-century homes, and Roman ruins, greatest explored on two wheels.

The Maritsa River Path is a standout biking route, providing beautiful views of the river and entry to Plovdiv’s cultural gems, together with the Roman Amphitheatre and the Kapana Artistic District, a vibrant space crammed with cafes, artwork galleries, and boutiques. For a tougher journey, tackle Nebet Tepe, one of many metropolis’s well-known hills, which rewards cyclists with panoramic views of Plovdiv’s seven hills and the encircling Rhodope Mountains.

Biking by means of Plovdiv additionally means immersing your self in its vibrant tradition. Cease by one of many charming cafes or conventional mehanas (Bulgarian taverns) to savor native specialties like banitsa or kyufte. Whether or not you’re weaving by means of historic streets or cruising alongside scenic riverside paths, Plovdiv gives an unforgettable expertise for historical past buffs and biking lovers alike.

With its mixture of wealthy historical past, scenic routes, and increasing infrastructure, Plovdiv is a must-visit vacation spot for biking lovers.

Tainan, Taiwan

Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest metropolis, blends a wealthy historic backdrop with a rising status for biking. The Anping Canal Path is without doubt one of the hottest biking routes, taking riders by means of the scenic Anping District, house to landmarks just like the Anping Fort and the Anping Tree Home, the place banyan timber have enveloped a historic warehouse. For nature lovers, the Chigu Salt Discipline Biking Route gives a flat, picturesque journey by means of wetlands and salt pans, with alternatives to identify migratory birds.

Need one thing extra adventurous? Taiwan’s Biking Route 1 is a legendary 960-kilometer loop that circles all the island, making it the nation’s most iconic biking path. Following Taiwan’s picturesque shoreline, the route weaves by means of vibrant cities, charming rural villages, and breathtaking pure surroundings. Acknowledged as one of many world’s high biking routes, it attracts hundreds of riders yearly from across the globe.

With its seamless mix of historical past, nature, and biking infrastructure, Tainan gives a novel expertise for riders and it nice to discover by bicycle.

national bike trail in Taiwan

nationwide bike path in Taiwan

Bremen, Germany

Bremen, Germany, is a bike owner’s paradise, that includes flat terrain and an in depth community of over 670 kilometers of motorcycle lanes that traverse town and hook up with neighboring cities. This infrastructure makes it handy to discover Bremen’s historic websites, such because the UNESCO World Heritage-listed City Corridor and Roland Statue, in addition to the picturesque Schnoor quarter, recognized for its slender lanes and charming medieval homes. Town’s dedication to biking is clear in its well-maintained paths and cyclist-friendly site visitors laws making it simple to discover by bicycle.

A spotlight for biking lovers is the “Fahrradmodellquartier” within the Alte Neustadt district, which, in July 2020, turned Germany’s first formally designated bicycle zone. This 2.5-kilometer space encompasses 12 streets the place bicycles have precedence, a pace restrict of 30 km/h is enforced, and side-by-side biking is permitted. The initiative consists of easy asphalt lanes changing cobblestones, ample bike parking, and improved crossings, enhancing security and luxury for cyclists. This mannequin neighborhood exemplifies Bremen’s progressive method to city mobility and serves as a blueprint for different cities aiming to advertise sustainable transportation.

Tartu, Estonia

Often known as Estonia’s cultural capital, Tartu has embraced biking as a key mode of transport and leisure. Town options many bike paths, connecting its vigorous metropolis heart with picturesque countryside trails making it excellent to discover by bicycle.

Cyclists can benefit from the Emajõgi River Path, which meanders alongside the riverbank, providing peaceable views of the water and entry to landmarks just like the Tartu Cathedral and the college campus. One other in style route is the Lake Võrtsjärv Path, which takes riders by means of idyllic forests and wetlands. For a novel expertise, climb Toome Hill, a historic space dotted with sculptures and monuments, providing panoramic views of town under.

explore Tartu Estonia

Biking in Tartu, Estonia (picture: @visittartu)

Utrecht, Netherlands

Utrecht, Netherlands, is famend for its distinctive biking tradition, with 56% of residents selecting bicycles as their main mode of transportation to town heart, and improbable to discover by bicycle. Town boasts an in depth community of 420 kilometers of devoted bicycle paths, making certain secure and environment friendly journey throughout numerous neighborhoods. Utrecht’s dedication to biking is additional exemplified by the world’s largest bicycle parking facility, situated close to the central railway station, accommodating as much as 12,500 bikes.

Town’s flat terrain and well-maintained infrastructure make it excellent for cyclists of all ranges. Utrecht’s dedication to selling biking contributes to a more healthy, extra sustainable city surroundings, enhancing the general high quality of life for its residents.

Biking at Koppelpoort Amersfoort, Utrecht (picture: Lotte Stierhout)

Bogotá, Colombia

Bogotá is a vibrant metropolis that’s good to discover by bicycle. Town is house to one of many world’s largest bike-sharing packages, in addition to an in depth community of motorcycle paths and bike-friendly streets. Biking in Bogotá is a good way to discover town’s vibrant avenue artwork, colourful markets, and vigorous neighborhoods. A number of the highlights of biking in Bogotá embody the enduring Monserrate Hill, and the attractive Simón Bolívar Park.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia, is a bike owner’s dream, providing a compact and picturesque setting that’s good for exploring on two wheels. Town boasts an in depth community of motorcycle lanes and traffic-calmed streets, making biking each secure and gratifying for riders of all ranges. With quite a few bike rental choices, together with the inexpensive BicikeLJ bike-sharing system, it’s simple to hop on a motorbike and begin exploring this vibrant metropolis. Biking in Ljubljana lets you cowl extra floor whereas having fun with town’s wealthy historical past, inexperienced areas, and laid-back environment at your personal tempo.

Highlights for cyclists embody a journey alongside the scenic Ljubljanica River, the place you’ll be able to take within the metropolis’s iconic Triple Bridge and colourful riverside cafes. Nature lovers will take pleasure in pedaling by means of Tivoli Park, a sprawling city oasis with manicured gardens, wooded trails, and artwork exhibitions. For a little bit of a problem, journey as much as Ljubljana Citadel, perched on a hill overlooking town. The trouble is rewarded with breathtaking views of the rooftops under and the encircling countryside. Ljubljana’s dedication to sustainability and its bike-friendly infrastructure make it an excellent vacation spot for eco-conscious vacationers and biking lovers alike.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *