7 of the Most Bike-Friendly Cities to Visit in 2025

There’s no better way to explore a city than on two wheels. Whether you’re cruising past canals, coasting through historic districts, or chasing skyline views, biking lets you experience a destination up close and at your own pace. Plus, it’s eco-friendly, affordable, and a great excuse to skip the gym.

As cities around the world rethink transportation and sustainability, many have invested heavily in cycling infrastructure, making it easier (and safer) than ever for both locals and visitors to ride. While some places are just catching on, others have long embraced biking as a way of life.

So, where should you go if you want to see the sights from the saddle? We’ve rounded up some of the most bike-friendly cities in the world, highlighting the places that make pedaling around a total breeze—for tourists and seasoned cyclists alike.

1. Utrecht, A Hidden Cycling Gem

While Amsterdam often steals the spotlight for bike-friendly cities, Utrecht is a cyclist’s dream and one that flies under the radar. Here, there are three bikes for every resident, making biking an integral part of the city’s identity and most importantly, safe biking. This medieval gem offers the best of Dutch cycling culture—without the crowds.

Why Bike Here

• 700 km (430 mi) of bike paths separated from traffic
• Bike from Dom Tower to Centraal Museum in just 3 min (vs 15 min walking)
• Cyclists take priority at 95% of intersections with a headstart ahead of cars

Utrecht really takes being a bike-friendly to the next level. It has all the charm of Amsterdam, canals, historic streets, vibrant cafés, but with more breathing room and far fewer crowds. You’ll find all the charm of Amsterdam, but with more space to breathe and pedal. The city’s cycling routes are well-marked, intuitive, and beautifully scenic.

Thanks to the Netherlands’ extensive fietssnelwegen (bike highways), you can even ride to Amsterdam in under 90 minutes or continue south toward Rotterdam. To make the most of your visit, start with a bike tour of Utrecht and explore the top must-sees like Dom Tower and the Oudegracht canal.

Pro tip: For solo exploration, check out the Singel canal loop that takes you around the old center of Utrecht via the canal. It was fully revamped in 2020, making it one of the most picturesque bike routes in the Netherlands.

2. Copenhagen, the Gold Standard of Bike-Friendly Cities

Heading north, Copenhagen has topped various lists of most bike-friendly cities year after year. In a city where bicycles outnumber people (1.4 to 1!) bikes aren’t just preferred, they’re practically sacred. On a regular day, instead of a chorus of car horns, the morning commute is made up of locals on two-wheels pedaling their way to the office with ease. Even the Prime Minister is known to bike to work.

Why Bike Here

• 350 km (220 mi) of curb-protected bike paths separated from cars
• Nyhavn Canal to The Little Mermaid statue is 6 min by bike vs 23 min walking
• 35,000+ bike parking spaces throughout the city (with heated racks for winter)

Visitors will find it much easier to navigate the city on two-wheels versus other traditional forms of transportation like buses, trains, or even walking. The city has redefined bike-friendly infrastructure, making biking in Copenhagen incredibly safe, including for visitors.

For the best biking conditions, plan your visit for September. The CPH bike fest takes place and the city comes alive with vintage flea markets and a magical golden light at sunset that’s postcard-worthy. Be sure to check out a bike tour of Copenhagen and experience the biking culture firsthand. In a city that was made for biking, don’t miss out on must-visit sites like the Rosenborg or Amalienborg Palace, just 7 minutes apart by bike, with the Copenhagen Card-Discover.

3. Munich, Bavaria’s Bike Friendly Capital

Behind the Oktoberfest clichés lies Germany’s most bikeable big city—where 1 in 5 trips happen by bicycle and BMW executives pedal to work in three-piece suits. With 1,200 km of signed routes (including the Isar River’s car-free paradise), Munich proves Bavarian efficiency extends far beyond beer steins.

Why Bike Here

• 1,200 km (745 mi) of bike paths separate from traffic
• Bike from Marienplatz to Englischer Garten in 10 min by bike (vs 30 min walking)
• Fahrradstrassen (bicycle streets) where cyclists take priority and cars are reduced to 30 km/h (18 mph)

In Munich, there’s an overall bike-positive mindset and motorists are very aware of sharing the road with bikers. During snowy winters bike lanes are often cleared before car roads! The biking mindset was built into the city’s infrastructure with free air pumps at every metro station, and you can even take a bike highway to Dachau.

Hop in the saddle and explore the city with a bike tour to experience it for yourself. For the ultimate experience, time your visit during the spring to catch the cherry blossoms blooming at Englischer Garten. Summer is also a great time to visit with beer garden season in full swing, plus you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the Isar River.

4. Paris, The City of Light Goes Green

Let’s change gears to a city that has done a total 180—Paris. Within the past 5 years, thanks to a new initiative (Plan Veló), the City of Light has become one of the most bike-friendly cities in Europe, introducing hundreds of kilometers worth of new bike lanes and bike share stations all over the city.

Why Bike Here

• 1,000 km (620 mi) of curb-protected paths and designated bike lanes
• Eiffel Tower to the Louvre is 13 min by bike (vs 46 min walking or 27 min by metro)
• Traffic lights synced to give bikers a head start at intersections

The French capital is a perfect example of major metropolitan areas embracing a more sustainable design centered around what really matters—the people. Having completed phase one of its two-part plan to make Paris 100% cyclable, the city has seen a significant rise in biking. Embrace the change during your visit with a bike tour that takes you past the Eiffel Tower on two wheels.

If you prefer to take things at your own pace, check out the Go City Paris Pass that includes discounted bike rentals plus additional bike tours that will allow you to uncover the best-kept secrets of the city. Opt to visit in the spring and see the cherry blossoms in full bloom at Parc de Sceaux or in the fall to experience Nuit Blanche. The streets glimmer after dark with all-night art installations making for a truly unique experience.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the Palace of Versailles by bike as well. Imagine cruising along the grand tree-lined paths once reserved for royalty. Magnifique !

5. Seville, Spain’s Sunny Cycling Paradise

Another city embracing two-wheeled travel is Seville, tucked in the heart of southern Spain. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, flat terrain, and a growing network of green initiatives, this ancient city is proof that even the oldest urban landscapes can go modern on two wheels.

Why Bike Here

• 175 km (107 mi) of separated bike paths
• Ride from Plaza de España to the Cathedral of Seville in 5 min (vs 20 min walking)
• Car-free Sundays in the historic center mean safer, quieter rides

Cruising past orange-blossom-scented streets and beneath the shadows of Moorish palaces is a uniquely Seville experience. While summer temperatures can initially shock visitors, the bike paths are all shaded by the same leafy orange trees and solar-powered awnings, making the journey comfortable even in warmer months.

Opt for a guided bike tour and roll across the 2,000-year-old Triana Bridge, through the tranquil streets of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, and soak up the history around every corner.

Prefer to explore solo? Bike rentals are widely available, so you can set your own pace—and stop for a tapa or two. Plus, you’ll find free water fountains every 500 m (1,600 ft) helping you stay cool and hydrated no matter when you visit.

Pro tip: For the most picture-perfect view, bike the Guadalquivir River path at sunset. It’s the perfect end to any day in the Andalusian capital.

6. Berlin, Swap the U-Bahn for a Bike

Berlin’s cycling culture runs deep and stays true to it’s alternative and underground style. The city’s first bike lanes were hand painted on the streets by activists after the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 80s. Since then, the network has grown to span 1000+ km of flat, easy to manage, green trails, ripe for exploration by locals and visitors alike.

Why Bike Here

• 150+ km (90 mi) of protected lanes (marked in green, separate from traffic)
• Pedal over from Brandenburg Gate to the Berlin Wall Memorial in 10 min (vs 38 min walking)
• Bike traffic lights at 700+ intersections (6-second head start for cyclists)

During your visit to the German capital, make the most of your time by cycling to top attractions like Alexanderplatz and the East Side Gallery, just 9 minutes apart by bike. With the Berlin Welcome Card you can enjoy discounted bike rentals during your stay.

Pro tip: Take your bike along the Berliner Mauerweg (Berlin Wall Trail) that circles the former German Democratic Republic border fortifications that surrounded West Berlin.

What makes Berlin another one of the top cycling cities has to be the fahrradstrassen (bicycle streets) where cars are off limits, making cycling safer and enjoyable. Be sure to opt for a bike tour of the famous city and feel like a local.

Pro tip: nighttime bike adventures are made all the easier with many paths lit until dawn each day. In a city known for its legendary nightlife, making it home safe after checking out the clubs has never been easier.

7. Amsterdam, Where Biking is a Way of Life

In Amsterdam, a bike isn’t just a means of transport; it’s the city’s circulatory system. Cars are genuine afterthoughts, and bikes dominate the urban center, even taking priority in fietsstraat zones. Visitors often opt for getting around by bike thanks to the flat terrain and the easy-to-spot paths marked in red.

Why Bike Here?

• 515 km (320 mi) of protected bike paths along shared streets
• Dam Square to Vondelpark is 10 min by bike (vs 38 min walking)
• Fietsstraat zones increase safety, giving bikers priority and cars a 30 km/h (18 mph) speed limit

With 300+ rental shops and lanes leading to every must-see sight, renting a bike is the fastest (and most local) way to see the city. When planning your trip, check out the I amsterdam city card which includes discounted bike rentals. Plus, with over 11,000 parking spots at Centraal Station and thousands more across the city, exploring is a breeze.

Be sure to check out a classic bike tour of Amsterdam during your visit. Pedal over to top attractions like the Anne Frank House and the Heineken Factory. Or opt for a complete experience, and pair a bike tour with a canal cruise for a genuine day in the Dam. 

You can also catch a ferry to the outskirts of the city (with your bike, of course) and explore the quieter areas. There’s nothing quite like biking down a quiet pathway lined with tall grass and farmlands for a different experience in the Netherlands. See it for yourself with this Dutch countryside bike tour.

Whether you’re gliding through tulip-lined streets in Utrecht, coasting under the sun in Seville, or tracing royal footsteps at Versailles, these cities prove that exploring by bike isn’t just sustainable, it’s one of the best ways to connect with a place. So next time you plan a trip, consider swapping four wheels for two. You’ll cover more ground, see more local life, and make your journey all the more memorable, one pedal at a time.