Oh, to enjoy the beauty of the world while feeling the gentle touch of cool wind breeze on your face.

Biking is especially enjoyable when you have great sites to see. Not only do you get to exercise your body but you can also marvel at the astonishing view of the cities.

While it is indeed beautiful to travel to the most beautiful cities on your two wheels, safety should not be compromised. In particular, make sure to double-check the helmets before buying as the well-known company Active Brands is recalling bicycle helmets recently. It is important to be aware of what brands produce faulty helmets because the helmet is the most important safety equipment for a cyclist, so read more about these lawsuits, learn about what to avoid, and be knowledgeable about the risks associated. We say no to accidents and say yes to more bike adventures!

We get the excitement of planning a bike ride so we've prepared a list of the cities where you can enjoy the biking experience without worrying too much about the possibility of other cars hitting you or traffic enforcers stopping you.

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

According to Copenhagenize Index, about 62% of people in Copenhagen bike to work or school. This is also why the city has secured the top spot among the most bike-friendly cities in the world since 2015 and has been in the top three for more than 10 years. The city has also been known for investing in its cycling infrastructure – building more bike paths and bridges, cycle highways, and bike lanes. It has been reported that the government would invest another 10 million euros in cycling infrastructure.

The city has encouraged the locals on cycling as a competitive means of transportation by providing well-connected, safe, and user-friendly cycling infrastructure. This initiative also shows that the government is willing to support cycling as a form of reliable transportation for its citizens. 

Aside from the health benefits of cycling to the locals, about 261 million US dollars a year is contributed by the bikers in the city into Copenhagen’s public health savings, which, in turn, could pay off the cost of protected bicycle infrastructure for about five years.

2. Amsterdam, Netherlands

There are about 881,000 bicycles in Amsterdam (which at some point was greater than the number of people in the city!) and about 58% of people older than 12 years old cycle daily. The city, raking 1st in the world’s most bike-friendly cities in 2011 and 2013, has always been in the top three.

Amsterdam has a great cycling infrastructure, including secured bicycle parking garages, bike rental businesses, more than 200,000 bicycle racks, and about 767 kilometers allotted for cycle paths and bike lanes. The city also advocates for a less stressful cycling experience, especially during rush hours. Hence, its measures also involve widening cycle paths to 2.5 meters to increase the current cycling capacity, as well as providing more protected bicycle tracks, intersections, and parking.

3. Tokyo, Japan

Japan is one of the most established countries in terms of transportation systems. Their system of mass transportation highlights their railway system which is the largest passenger railway company in the world. Because of the existence of the railway systems, people will opt to commute by rain rather than motorized vehicles because it is more convenient. Fewer cars on the road mean that there will be more space for bicycles. Because of this system of transportation, Tokyo is listed as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities all around the world.

In fact, Tokyo was listed as the 16th most bike-friendly city in the world, according to the 2019 Coppenhagenize Index. Most of the cyclists in Tokyo can be seen riding a “mamachari” which roughly translates to “mom bicycle” because this bicycle model is equipped with a basket and designed with comfortable, upright seating, which makes it a good choice for everyday commute and errands. The city is filled with bike lanes and the community is continuously seeking the government’s support in improving the daily situation of cyclists all over the city.

4. Strasbourg, France

When it comes to biking, France will always be a famous spot for cyclists because it hosts the Le Tour de France, the annual bike race where the best bikers compete across multiple stages of events. With the whole country a big fan of cycling and bikes, it is no wonder that the city of Strasbourg is making way for bikers on its roads.

In Strasbourg, almost 600 km of roads are designated for bicycle lanes and paths. There are so many cyclists around the city and most commuters even prefer going to their work on their bikes compared to taking mass transport or private vehicles. In 2017, around 17% of employees going to work are recorded to take their bikes versus any other forms of transportation. The city also features a bike-rental service called Vélhop,  which caters to all the needs of every cyclist in the city. They provide all types of rental bikes for all situations and have different automatic docking stations all over the country for easy access and storage. With all of these features, Strasbourg certainly is a bike-friendly city and can be considered one of the most beloved by cyclists.

5. Barcelona, Spain

The city has a bike-sharing program, with more than 10,000 bikes available at 400 stations, which has been the largest bike-sharing in the world. Even tourists can avail of bicycle rentals and navigate the city by bike. Bicycle tours are also being offered in Barcelona. This includes scenic bike routes, which call for renting a mountain bike to explore areas that are going up the hills. The city has easy-to-follow and easy-to-navigate bike routes, making it bike-friendly for tourists and starters. If you love to mountain bike, then you might also like these popular places for mountain biking around the world.

6. Utrecht, Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the city of Utrecht is listed as the most populated city in the province of Utrecht. Located in the center of the country, it hosts a network of roads and railways that connect with other cities and municipalities of the country.

Despite the numerous roads and railway systems, cycling plays a significant part in the citizen’s daily transport. In 2019, the city has recorded that almost 60% of its population takes bikes when visiting the city center, with 33,000 people passing through the busiest bike lanes every day. The city continuously improves on its cycling network and has built numerous bicycle parking lots all over the city. In the same year, the city of Utrecht was recorded to have built the largest biking station, with the capacity to hold over 12,5000 bicycles. This dedication of the government to the city’s love of cycling really puts Utrecht in the top spots of the best bike-friendly cities all over the world.

7. Montreal, Canada

Montreal is a city in the province of Quebec, located in Canada, that is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the country. The city has its share of urban and rural streets but a common sight in these places is commuters on bicycles. 

Montreal is also known as a city that is very fond of bikes, so much that it holds an annual bike festival called the Go Bike Montreal Festival. The festival is held every June as a week-long celebration filled with cycling events and racing competitions spanned all over the city. The residents and tourists gather together to celebrate their love and enthusiasm for biking which serves as their hobby, sport,  and daily mode of transportation.

Seeing the improvements and measures that these cities have taken to ensure that the cyclists can remain safe on the road is such great news and some cities should also take notice of these changes. By promoting cycling and giving more support to this form of transportation, there will be fewer automobiles needed on the roads and this can help lessen pollution caused by engine smoke. Cycling will also promote a healthier lifestyle for people and this can give us a chance to appreciate our cities and towns from a different perspective, on our bikes while feeling the breeze of the wind and the rays of the sun on our skin.