Past Amsterdam: 9 Underrated Locations for Bicycle-Loving Vacationers

Relating to cycling-friendly cities, Amsterdam and Copenhagen dominate the dialog, and for good cause. For city riders trying to discover vibrant cities with a powerful biking tradition, loads of different locations deserve the highlight. Listed here are 9 underrated cities that provide unbelievable bike infrastructure, scenic routes, and a cycling-friendly ambiance.

1. Bogotá, Colombia

With some of the intensive biking networks in Latin America, Bogotá is a paradise for city cyclists. The town boasts over 600 km of motorcycle lanes and is residence to Ciclovía, a weekly occasion the place greater than 120 km of streets are closed to automobiles each Sunday. Whether or not you’re weaving by way of the historic La Candelaria district or tackling the climb as much as Monserrate, Bogotá’s biking tradition is flourishing. The town’s hilly terrain additionally offers an additional problem for individuals who wish to push their limits, whereas the flat sections make it accessible to all talent ranges. Bogotá’s bike-friendly insurance policies have made biking a significant mode of transportation, and its rising biking group ensures you’ll by no means really feel alone on the street.

A motorbike tour in Bogota Colombia (Go to Bogota)

2. Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei has quietly constructed a status as a bicycle owner’s dream. The town’s YouBike bike-share system makes getting round simple, and the community of devoted bike paths—together with the beautiful riverside trails—gives a easy and scenic journey. The Tamsui River Biking Path is a favourite amongst locals and guests alike, providing breathtaking views because it winds previous temples, parks, and evening markets. For these in search of a tougher journey, the climb to Yangmingshan Nationwide Park offers each a exercise and beautiful panoramic views of town. Taiwan’s dedication to biking infrastructure extends past leisure, with bike lanes built-in into a lot of its main roads, making commuting by bike each secure and handy.

The separated biking path round Solar Moon Lake, Taiwan. Picture by David Niddrie

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia

This compact and picturesque European capital is right for cyclists. Ljubljana has car-free zones within the metropolis heart, a well-connected community of motorcycle lanes, and an easy-to-use bike-sharing program. Top-of-the-line biking routes takes riders alongside the Ljubljanica River, passing by way of charming neighborhoods stuffed with historic structure, vibrant cafés, and public artwork installations. A journey by way of Tivoli Park gives a peaceable escape into nature, with loads of shaded trails and scenic spots for a break. Ljubljana’s concentrate on sustainability and inexperienced city planning has made biking a prime precedence, and with a flat terrain and delicate local weather, it’s a simple and satisfying metropolis to discover on two wheels.

Biking in Ljubljana (picture: Mankica Kranjec/ Nea Culpa)

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires has quietly reworked into certainly one of South America’s most bike-friendly cities. With over 250 km of devoted bike lanes, town’s Ecobici bike-sharing system is free to make use of, making it simple to discover neighborhoods like Palermo, San Telmo, and Recoleta. A very standard biking route is alongside Avenida del Libertador, which connects a number of the metropolis’s most iconic inexperienced areas, together with the Bosques de Palermo and the Jardín Japonés. The town’s comparatively flat terrain makes it accessible for riders of all ranges, and with extra protected bike lanes being added every year, Buenos Aires is continuous to develop as a biking hotspot. The town’s heat climate and vibrant road life add to the expertise, making each journey really feel like an journey.

5. Quebec Metropolis, Quebec

Wish to head to Europe with out cross the Atlantic, suppose Quebec Metropolis. With its wealthy historical past and charming old-world ambiance, Quebec Metropolis is a hidden gem for cyclists. The town’s picturesque cobblestone streets and vibrant neighborhoods are simply navigable by bike, and its well-developed community of motorcycle lanes makes exploring town on two wheels a delight. Quebec Metropolis’s dedication to sustainable city mobility has resulted within the creation of a number of bike paths that hyperlink the historic Outdated Metropolis to fashionable developments. For cyclists in search of a bit extra journey, the scenic bike route alongside the St. Lawrence River gives lovely panoramas and takes riders by way of lush parks, ultimate for a leisurely journey. Quebec Metropolis’s compact dimension, mixture of historic allure, and rising biking tradition make it a perfect vacation spot for these trying to discover a singular and bike-friendly Canadian metropolis.

Quebec Metropolis biking (picture: Stephane Audet, Vacation spot Quebec)

6. Seville, Spain

As soon as a metropolis dominated by automobiles, Seville has quickly change into a bicycle owner’s haven. Over the previous decade, it has constructed greater than 180 km of protected bike lanes, making it among the finest biking cities in Spain. A standout biking route is the Guadalquivir River Path, which gives beautiful views of town’s skyline whereas passing by landmarks just like the Torre del Oro and the Triana district. The town’s compact dimension makes it simple to get from one attraction to a different, and its largely flat terrain ensures a easy journey. With a heat local weather year-round, Seville is a good place to discover by bike, whether or not you’re commuting, sightseeing, or just having fun with the ambiance of this historic Andalusian gem.

Seville, Spain

7. Minneapolis, USA

Minneapolis may not be the primary metropolis that involves thoughts for biking, however it’s persistently ranked among the many most bike-friendly cities in North America. The Midtown Greenway, a 9-km lengthy devoted biking hall, makes commuting a breeze, and town’s intensive community of trails and bike lanes makes it simple to discover parks, lakes, and energetic neighborhoods. Some of the scenic rides is alongside the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, a 82-km loop connecting town’s lakes, parks, and the Mississippi River. Minneapolis embraces winter biking as effectively, with a powerful group of cold-weather riders and city-maintained bike paths even in snowy months. With its mixture of city and nature routes, Minneapolis proves that nice biking cities exist outdoors of Europe.

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

8. Antwerp, Belgium

Whereas Brussels struggles with bike infrastructure, Antwerp is a hidden gem for cyclists. With extensive bike lanes, low automotive visitors within the historic heart, and certainly one of Europe’s finest bike-share applications, Antwerp is a delight to discover on two wheels. The Scheldt River Path offers a scenic route alongside the waterfront, whereas the Ringfietspad, a 35-km loop across the metropolis, connects varied districts and inexperienced areas. Antwerp’s biking infrastructure is well-integrated into every day life, with designated bike lanes on most main roads and bike-friendly insurance policies that encourage commuting by bike. The town’s mix of historic allure and fashionable biking facilities makes it a implausible vacation spot for city riders in search of a substitute for Belgium’s extra well-known cities.

Antwerp

9. Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton, typically missed in favour of cities similar to Vancouver or Montreal, has quietly change into certainly one of Canada’s most cycling-friendly cities. The town boasts over 300 km of devoted bike lanes, a lot of that are a part of town’s expansive river valley path system, one of many largest city park networks in North America. Edmonton’s bike infrastructure continues to enhance, with the introduction of bike-share applications and new biking paths that join varied neighborhoods to the downtown core. The North Saskatchewan River Valley gives beautiful scenic routes, with rides that present beautiful views of the river and surrounding greenery. The town’s dedication to biking consists of winter infrastructure as effectively, permitting riders to proceed having fun with their bikes even by way of the snow. With an rising biking tradition and an rising variety of bike-friendly insurance policies, Edmonton is shortly turning into a vacation spot for these in search of journey on two wheels.

Able to Experience?

These cities might not have the worldwide status of Amsterdam or Copenhagen, however they provide implausible biking experiences for city riders. Whether or not you’re in search of scenic routes, top-tier bike infrastructure, or a thriving biking tradition, these locations deserve a spot in your journey listing.