http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/05/06/bike.friendly.cities.matador/index.html
15 of the world's most bike-friendly cities
By Hal Amen , MatadorNetwork.com
May 6, 2011 -- Updated 1223 GMT (2023 HKT)
CNN.com
>From designated cycling areas to established community events, many global
>cities are decidedly bike-friendly.
>From designated cycling areas to established community events, many global
>cities are decidedly bike-friendly.
(Matador) -- Grab a helmet and check out these 15 cities where drivers use all
five fingers when they wave at you.
EUROPE
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The " bicycling capital of Europe" tops many lists -- including this one, it
seems -- as the most bike-friendly city anywhere. Safe and extensive route
networks, serious governmental promotion, and a bike culture that transcends
class boundaries are all reasons why 40 percent of the city's traffic moves on
two wheels.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona's Bicing program, one of many mass bike rental systems that have
popped up recently in Europe and beyond, debuted in 2007 in the Catalonian
capital. An annual Bike Week is held in late May to spread the word.
Berlin, Germany
Commuting Berliners are never lonely -- 400,000 of them pedal to work each day.
City leaders still aren't satisfied with this figure, and millions of euros
have been allocated to encourage more cyclists to get on the streets. One
result is a mapping website that helps you plot bike-specific routes.
Matador: Photo essay - 16 reasons to travel Patagonia by bike
Copenhagen, Denmark
In the Danish capital, around a third of the workforce gets to the office by
bike. By some estimates, that's more than a million kilometers pedaled every
day.
For an alternative and truly bike-friendly urban experience, check out
Christiania, a neighborhood of 850 that, in addition to setting up a
semi-independent government and decriminalizing trade in cannabis, has banned
cars.
Paris, France
Paris gets a nod here for its creation ofVélib', one of the world's largest
public bicycle rental programs. Twenty thousand stylish three-speeds are
distributed among 1,450 rental stations throughout the city, available to
subscribers at variable rates (rides under 30 minutes are free).
NORTH AMERICA
Boulder, Colorado
Denver's little hippy neighbor to the north dedicates 15% of its transportation
budget to improving and promoting bicycle travel. Nearly every major roadway
has a designated cycling area, and they've even instituted a pilot program to
get kids biking to school. This guy has created a very cool color-coded route
map, complete with local attractions.
Chicago, Illinois
Late during his 22-year tenure, Mayor Richard Daley became set on turning
Chicago into "the most bicycle-friendly city in the United States." It doesn't
appear to be all talk, either, as more bike lanes pop up all the time, and more
laws that protect cyclists' safety are passed.
The City of Chicago website has all you could ever want to know about the
city's bicycle initiatives.
Matador: 12 essential items for a cycling trip
Davis, California
It's said there are more bikes than cars in this small, northern California
city of 65,000. Not only that, but its official motto is "Most bicycle friendly
town in the world." The city marks Bike Month throughout May.
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada's capital claims the highest percentage of bike commuters in the
country, if not the continent. Its 170 km of paths make it easy to get from
point A to B, though two-wheeled traffic is sure to drop between December and
March. Visit the City of Ottawa website for more.
Portland, Oregon
You were worried there for a second, weren't you? No, we haven't forgotten what
most people consider the bike capital of the U.S. The only thing as impressive
as Portland's bicycle infrastructure (including a 260-mile network) and
commuter stats (almost 10%, the highest in the country) is the camaraderie of
its cyclist community.
San Francisco, California
The founding city of Critical Mass -- mass bike rides that take place in cities
around the world -- can't be overlooked. Over the past decade, bicycle
collisions have declined while the number of bike commuters has nearly doubled.
Add city initiatives like removing car parking to make room for bike parking,
distributing "Watch for Bikes" stickers (to be placed on driver's side rearview
mirrors), and its fledgling bike share program, and you get one of the world's
bike-friendliest cities.
Matador: 10 long-distance bicycle routes in the U.S.
ELSEWHERE
Beijing, China
Debatable? Sure. But I wouldn't call the city with probably the most bicycles
of any in the world to be bike unfriendly.
The sheer number of cyclists necessitates some pretty sophisticated
infrastructure for the travel, storage and repair of two-wheeled vehicles.
Cape Town, South Africa
African cities aren't the first that spring to mind for bike friendliness, but
Cape Town is doing its best to change that.
The South African hub is committed to creating cycling lanes, dedicated bike
parking and public commuter showers.
Bogotá, Colombia
Bogotá's transportation initiatives have been a model for change throughout
Latin America, and its treatment of bicycles is no exception. Miles of safe,
segregated bike paths and Sunday Ciclovía events (where main thoroughfares are
closed to cars) make Colombian cyclists very happy.
Perth, Australia
With more than 700 km of bike routes and plenty to see along them, Australia's
fourth largest city takes it for Down Under. Find maps, recommended rides and
other cycling resources on the Perth Bike Maps webpage.
Matador: 8 steps for successful self-supported bicycle tours
See full story on MatadorNetwork.com
© 2011 Matador Network, Matador Ventures, LLC.
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All
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