20 best cycling cities in the world

Bike — convenient, eco-friendly and useful in terms of health transport. It is understood in many countries: in Denmark, Japan, the United States and other countries cyclists "free breathing" and are respected on the road.

In this article we will discuss about the 20 best cycling cities in the world. The list has no ranking.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Population: ≈1,2 million people.
Rent:Bycyklen.
Prices (collateral): Monthly subscription — $13.

In Copenhagen about 35% cyclists. The authorities have ambitious plans — 2015 transplanted to the bikes 50% of the working population. Almost every local resident has his own bike, and tourists and "horseless" citizens available about 2000 centers bike rental. The town 400 km of cycle paths.

Tokyo, Japan

Population: ≈13 million people.
Rent:CogiCogi.
Prices (collateral): Monthly subscription — $5,3; subscription year — $54.

Tokyo — a huge metropolis with developed transport network, including bike. It's much faster — no traffic jams, and more useful

— Japanese watch over health. Do not be surprised if you see the clerk in an expensive suit with a briefcase on a bicycle. Everywhere special bicycle parking and rental shops. All private bikes registered with the police, they are assigned a unique number and is glued to the frame plate with the name of the owner.

Barcelona, ​​Spain

Population: ≈1,6 million people.
Rent:Bicing.
Prices (collateral): the first 30 minutes — is free; each subsequent 2:00 — €0,74; subscription year — €47,16.

Cycling was born in Barcelona in 2007 and is still gaining momentum. To date, over 30,000 barselontsev — cyclists. The city has about 100 rental stations: any resident or tourist can take a bike to leave a deposit, and then return to the same or another location. Constantly increasing the number of parking spaces.

Portland, United States

Population: ≈576 thousand. pers.
Rent:Alta Bicycle Share (Velosheyring will be launched in 2015).

Portland (Oregon) — one of the greenest and cycling cities of the United States. About 9% of local residents use bicycles in their daily lives. In the city a huge number of bike trails (over 400 km), including mountain bikes. In 2015, in Portland will be launched velosheyringa program. In addition, anyone can take a course of cycling.

Paris, France

Population: ≈2,2 million people.
Rent:Vélib '.
Prices (collateral): rental day — €1,7; subscription week — €8; subscription year — €29.

Paris — one of those capitals where the acute problem of air pollution car exhausts. Therefore, more and more locals and visitors to the French capital are transplanted to the bikes. Today in Paris, about 1 500 free bicycle parking and more than 100 rental stations (they are conveniently located near the metro and bus stops).

Dublin, Ireland

Population: ≈506 thousand. pers.
Rent:Dublinbikes.
Prices (collateral): first hour — is free; over 1 chasa — €0,5; over 4 hours — €6,5; 3-day rental — €5; subscription year — €20.

4% bicycle (in the central regions — 6–7%) of the total Dubliners — a modest figure compared with such cycling cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen. But experts predict that soon the Irish capital will be a real cycling paradise. Since 2006 the number of bikes in the city has doubled, and by 2021 the city authorities are planning a fivefold increase in the network of bicycle paths.

Montreal, Canada

Population: ≈1,6 million people.
Rent:Bixi.
Prices (collateral): the first 30 minutes — is free; rental for a day — $ 5 (for members); Monthly subscription — $ 31.25 (for members); subscription year — $ 82.5 (for members).

This is the landscaped bicycle city in Canada. Velomodernizatsiya started here in the 1980s. Since then, the government invested about $ 134 million in the infrastructure of the city, to make it convenient for cyclists. Now in Montreal about 600 km of cycle paths, hundreds of parking lots and rental stations. Montreal residents use bikes rental to drive to work, and in other cases.

Berlin, Germany

Population: ≈3,4 million people.
Rent:Call a Bike.
Prices (collateral): the first 30 minutes — is free; every minute (ranging from 31 minutes) — €0,08; rental for a day — €15.

The development of cycling in Berlin began in the early 2000s. state program was adopted, providing for the construction of infrastructure (tracks, parking, rentals and repairs, and so on. d.), and various incentives for people moving on bicycles. Recently, Berlin has introduced "green wave": now the cyclists do not need to stop at a red light. The measures are a success. About 13% of Berliners (in some areas of the city, all 20–25%) — avid cyclists.

Bogota, Colombia

Population: ≈7,4 million people.
Rent: velosheyringa in Bogota yet (promise to open in 2014).

Bogota — the capital of Colombia and is perhaps best cycling city in Latin America. There developed an extensive network of bicycle paths — about 300 km. Start cycling put the mayor Enrique Peñalosa, who, in order to improve the ecological situation in the city, began to encourage cyclists and beautifying the city green spaces. Each year, held in Bogotá Car Free Day — Ciclovia, when traffic is blocked for cars and all are transplanted to the bikes. Moreover, the same thing happens every Sunday in the central streets of the city.

Budapest, Hungary

Population: ≈1,7 million people.
Rent:Bubi.
Prices (collateral): the first 30 minutes — is free; rental for a day — $2,3; 3-day rental — $4,5; subscription year — $85.

The Hungarian capital is experiencing a real boom in cycling. If two decades ago the bicycle was not considered a means of transportation, but rather a means of entertainment (go to the output anywhere in the country), now in Budapest — one of the most adapted for cycling cities in Europe. By 2011, in Budapest, laid 144 km of cycle paths, and in 2013 organized a cycling city rental system.

Beijing, China

Population: ≈21 million people.
Rent:Beijing Bike Share.
Prices (collateral): first hour — is free; each additional hour - $ 0.2.

Beijing is not only the economic and cultural capital of China, but also cycling. The city is only officially more than 11 million bikes (bikes under the law, as a machine, you need to register). But the ecological situation in Beijing still leaves much to be desired, so the authorities are actively developing urban cycling. Construction of new tracks and parking lots, open rental centers.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Population: ≈813 thousand. pers.
Rent:mac Bike, Bike City, Star Bikes and others.
Prices (collateral): rental for a day — € 4,4 (Mac Bike); rental for a day — 9 € (Star Bikes); rolling at 4 chasa (Bike City) — from € 10 (depending on the bike and the time of year).

Amsterdam — Bicycle Capital of Europe. Over 40% of urban traffic — cycling. There are more than 400 km of cycle paths, equipped with special signs and traffic lights. In the city there are many parking lots and bicycle rental stations. Rent can not only classics, but also children's bikes, tandems, and more.

Basel, Switzerland

Population: ≈171 thousand. pers.
Rent:SBB.
Prices (collateral): a ticket for a day — $20; a ticket for the year — $246.

Basle — a quiet and picturesque Swiss town on the banks of the Rhine. What you need for a measured bike ride! Especially in Basel for that all conditions. The city is only parking for bikes about 1600. All private bikes registered with the law enforcement agencies and insured. But in Basel on a bike ride not only on the job — the city has a bicycle courier service. Especially popular among fans spinning the pedals in Basel uses the so-called "Three Countries Bridge", connecting the French and German Yining Weil am Rhein, — there is a special bicycle lane.

Malmö, Sweden

Population: ≈310 thousand. pers.
Rent: Stromma, Fridhem Sykel, Travelshop and others.
Prices (collateral): rolling a day (Stromma) — $26; rolling a day (Travelshop) — $23.

Malmö — the third largest city in Sweden. In this case, it is only 19 km from Copenhagen. Perhaps that's where the fashion in Malmö on bicycles. The city authorities have invested € 47 million in the development of cycling — construction of walkways and parking lots, as well as the carrying out of "Days without cars". About 25% of Malmö daily biking. Feature bike lanes Malmö — each of them has a name. They are called specifically to make it easier to find them on the GPS.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Population: ≈6,3 million people.
Rent:Bike Rio.
Prices (collateral): first hour — is free; rental for a day — $2,3; Monthly subscription — $4,45.

Sunny Rio — very sporty city. Many residents are running in the morning, doing surfing and cycling. Bicycle paths began to appear along the Copacabana beach before the climate summit in 1992. Since then, the network is constantly growing (something which, as a lot of the beaches in Rio). Particular attention bicycle infrastructure authorities pay in anticipation of two major sporting events, which will take the city, — The World Cup and Summer Olympics.

Antwerp, Belgium

Population: ≈503 thousand. pers.
Rent:velo Antwerpen.
Prices (collateral): rental for a day — €3,6; subscription week — €8; subscription year — €36.

Antwerp — the second largest and most important city in Belgium. Politicians at the local elections in 2006, promised to build 100 km of cycle routes in the coming years. And by 2012, he kept his word. Bike lanes in Antwerp painted in red to motorists were attentive. To date, half a million people of Antwerp 16%, more than 80 000 people, — cyclists.

Sevilla, Spain

Population: ≈706 thousand. pers.
Rent:Ayuntamiento de Sevilla.
Prices (collateral): the first 30 minutes — Free subscription for a week — €5.

Spanish Seville — one of those cities where cycling is developing intensively. Rate: 2006 regularly traveled on bikes only 0.5% of the inhabitants of the city, but today that number has already reached 7%. In Seville, as well as in Barcelona, ​​developed network of bike paths, all of which are in good condition. "Horseless" residents and visitors can rent a bike.

Christchurch, New Zealand

Population: ≈341 thousand. pers.
Rent:Nextbike.
Prices (collateral): first 2 chasa — is free; rental for a day — $16; subscription week — $65; Monthly subscription — $163.

Christchurch — the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, as well as the most bicycle in the country. Locals scrupulously monitor the health and therefore happy to bike. The picturesque nature contributes to prolonged cycling, the more so in that for the entire infrastructure created — even highways are equipped with tracks for cyclists. But the most surprising — Christchurch has an open-air theater for lovers twist pedal. You want to watch a movie? Pedal on the exercise bike, otherwise the "electricity is over."

Trondheim, Norway

Population: ≈169 thousand. pers.
Rent:Clear Channel.
Prices (collateral): subscription year — $19.

Trondheim — a small Norwegian town, considered the technological capital of the country. In Norway, the bicycle is very common. Trondheim — proof of this. Cycling out there arose in the 1990s. Today in the town of about 30 municipal bike rental stations, as well as the well-known throughout Europe for cycling elevator. It helps residents and visitors to climb a mountain Brubakk with iron horse.

Utrecht, Netherlands

Population: ≈313 thousand. pers.
Rent:civitas Mimosa.

Utrecht is located in the heart of Holland and is the largest railway hub in the country, as well as one of the most bicycle cities in Europe (the third largest Copenhagenize version). Cyclist — the most respected member of the traffic in Utrecht. Citizens ride bikes to work, on a visit to the cinema, on business, and so on. D. The benefit of the city infrastructure allows.