The 9 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in Europe

When a city is designed for cycling, it can be a joy to ride your bike around town to get where you need to go. Some cities have invested in building infrastructure for cyclists to increase safety and make cycling more enjoyable. When a city steps up to the plate for the benefit of cyclists, it can make all the difference.

Europe has some of the friendliest cycling cities on the planet. Though many places in Europe are bike-friendly, some locations rise above the rest. Check out our list of the 9 most bike-friendly cities in Europe.

How We Made the List

We used data from the 2022 Global Bicycle Cities Index to come up with a list of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe. We took data from the digital insurance company Luko. Luko rated 90 cities around the world on a scale from 0 to 100 based on bike-friendly features, such as weather, safety (including crime rates), infrastructure, percentage of bike riders, bike-sharing, and special cycling events. 

As it happens, Europe is a cyclist’s paradise. Out of the top ten most bike-friendly cities, 9 of them are in Europe. Only one in the top ten is located outside of Europe in Hangzhou, China. None of the top ten or even the top 20 contain any cities in the United States. The first U.S. city to crack the list is San Fransisco, at 39th.

1. Utrecht, Netherlands

First on the list of European bike-friendly cities, with an overall score of 77.84 out of 100, is Utrecht, Netherlands. Over half its population rides a bike every day (51%.) Furthermore, the city has high scores for bike infrastructure and pleasant weather conditions for cycling.

Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The town boasts picturesque canals, Medieval architecture, and historically significant sites (like the Dom Tower.) It is a gorgeous city, looking like something out of a picture book, with a bustling city center, charming street cafes, tree-lined streets, and lots of bikes. It’s also only 27 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it the perfect stop for a day trip.

2. Munster, Germany

Coming in second is Munster, Germany, where 39% of residents ride a bike every day. Known as Germany’s “bicycle capital,” there are two bikes for every resident. According to the list, Munster scores high for safety and weather conditions.

With a prestigious university in its borders, Munster is an academic town. The University of Munster brings 55,000 students to the city. In addition to its bike-friendly streets, Munster is home to museums, shopping, and historical landmarks. Some of the top attractions include the Westphalian State Museum of Art and Cultural History, Domplatz Münster town square, and Aasee Lake.

3. Antwerp, Belgium

This Belgian city is third on the list for its safety, bike-sharing system, and car-free Sundays. Another bonus, the bike lanes are flat and well-maintained. The city is also compact, making cycling a convenient way to get around. Bike tours and bike shares are a popular way for tourists to explore the city.

Antwerp is an ancient city, dating back to the Middle Ages. It’s located along the River Scheldt and is one of the world’s major seaports. Known for its fine arts and famed diamond district, the city is full of architectural gems including the Red Line Star Museum and the newly restored Port House of Antwerp.

4. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is such a bike-friendly town that they routinely have car-free days and enjoy low rates of bike thefts. About 29% of residents bike daily, and many continue to bike even through the cold and snowy Denmark winters. The city even clears the snow from bike lanes before it gets to the roads.

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and a major financial center of northern Europe. Rich in culture, Copenhagen is home to art galleries, jazz clubs, ancient castles, and delicious dining. Some main attractions include the fairy-tale like Frederiksborg Castle which houses the Museum of Natural History, and the Copenhagen Zoo.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam is known as a bike-friendly town, but this wasn’t always the case. The city invested in bike infrastructure to turn around its transportation system to be bike-friendly. Amsterdam offers separate and elevated bike lanes, a few bike-only streets, and slow speed limits for drivers, making it an ideal bike town. 

Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands, is known for its picturesque canals, museum district (with works from Rembrandt and Van Gogh), modern art, and picturesque narrow houses reminiscent of the 17th century. The Cykelslangen, translated to “The Bicycle Snake” is a famous 200-meter-long bike-only bridge keeping cyclists separate from vehicles.

6. Malmo, Sweden

Coming in at sixth on the list, Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden. The city has the infrastructure for biking with its flat terrain and extensive network of bike paths. Thirty percent of residents bike daily, and there are plenty of opportunities for tourists to rent bikes to explore the city.

A coastal city in southern Sweden, Malmo boasts a mix of medieval castles and modern architecture. Old Town features cobbled squares, outdoor cafes, and bars. The Malmo Castle dates back to medieval times, while the white marble Turning Torso skyscraper is a modern-day marvel.

7. Bern, Switzerland

Bern owes its bike-friendly status to its ease of bike sharing, excellent infrastructure, and no-car days. An excellent city to discover via two wheels, a mere 10-minute ride outside of the city center lands you in picturesque countryside with views of the Alps.

Bern is located in the center of Switzerland, situated among the majestic Alps. Medieval Old Town is a highlight of the city with its landmarks, sparkling fountains, Clock Tower, and views of the Aare River.

8. Bremen, Germany

The city of Bremen was the first German city to build a “bicycle zone” in the Neustadt district. Here, bicycles have priority over cars, vehicles must keep under a 30 km per hour limit, and side-by-side cycling is allowed. In Bremen, 21% of residents cycle every day.

Bremer is situated along the Weser River in northwest Germany. It’s known for its cultural heritage and houses many museums and historical galleries. One of the highlights of the city is the Bremen Cathedral located in the market square. Dating back 1,200 years, the cathedral has been rebuilt many times. Finally, in the 1970s, it was restored to its 19th-century Gothic structure.

9. Hanover, Germany

Finally, ninth on our list of bike-friendly cities in Europe, and 10th overall in the world, is Hanover, Germany. Hanover hosts no-car days and has a strong infrastructure for cycling. Moreover, the city is planning to improve its bike infrastructure over the next few years.

Hanover, located in northern Europe, is the capital city of Germany and is a sometimes overlooked destination for tourists. Unlike many other European cities, Hanover has a more modern feel. During World War II, extensive bombing destroyed about 90% of the city. Although the city center has been reconstructed to its original historic appearance, most of Hannover’s buildings are modern post-war architecture.

Summary of the 9 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in Europe