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One of the biggest challenges you’ll face in your travels is navigation. Each new city presents its own unique system of taxis, busses and subways – and the occasional pedicabs, monorails, and trams. When you know little of the city and less of the language, public transport can be a confusing, frightening headache.
Just about anywhere you go though, there’s an alternative to public transport: the bicycle. Not only can you navigate the cities of Europe at your leisure, but you can explore far off the beaten path. Areas that you might have missed are suddenly accessible, so you’ll end up seeing far more of the culture.
All across the great continent of Europe, you’ll find fantastic spots to cycle. Many towns maintain dedicated bike lanes, and a growing number of locals rely solely on bicycles for transportation. Because of this, you’ll find great cycling opportunities in most every city; however, we’ve found a few that really stand out from the rest.
Without further ado, here are our top picks for Europe’s best cycling cities:
1. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Of all European cities, the Dutch capital is unrivaled for its bike-friendliness. In fact, bicycling is possibly the best way to get around the city. The city is almost completely flat, and the only upgrades you’ll find are canal bridges. Bike lanes crisscross the city, offering unlimited access to every nook and cranny.
And of course, you can hire a bike just about anywhere. Bike City, for example, offers stylish black Dutch-made bikes at the reasonable rate of €13.50 for a half-day.
2. Reykjavik, Iceland
If you’re looking for safe cycling, look no further than the sparsely populated Reykjavik. With a mere 120,000 residents, cyclists are treated with amazing courtesy – cars will often stop to give way to folks on bikes.
You can participate in a guided bike tour, or you can brave the city on your own. Just remember to bundle up well. Even in the summer, the weather’s not exactly balmy, so bring your thermals.
3. Bologna, Italy
Bologna’s ancient streets make it an ideal place for the exploring cyclist. Navigation isn’t too tough, and the huge student population (who also prefer bikes), are generally happy to help if you get lost. You can rent a bike for about €20 a day, and you’ll have plenty of time to take in the sights, sounds and flavors of this lovely old city.
4. Oslo, Norway
This is another city that caters hugely to cyclists. Throughout the city, you’ll find dedicated bike lanes – and even special traffic lights for cyclists. You can hook up with a tour guide if you want, but we recommend just picking up a rental at one of over 100 spots across the city. Pay a mere $24 US, and the retro-style ride is yours for a full 24 hours.
5. Cambridge, England
Cambridge is possibly the most bike-friendly city in the UK. Since students at Cambridge colleges aren’t allowed to have cars, bikes are the primary form of transportation – and the city caters to that with bike lanes galore.
