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The Top 5 European Cities For Cycling

We often look to our European neighbours for examples of good cycling environments – Amsterdam and Copenhagen, for example, seem to have achieved what is still only a dream for UK cities. But what actually makes a city accommodating for cyclists? Leisure Lakes Bikes have looked at several factors, including air pollution, the number of cycle routes, mapped ways, share stations and share bicycles available to create an index that ranks European capitals for cycling friendliness.

Here they reveal the top 5 most accommodating European cities for cyclists, with innovations and cycle-centric schemes galore…

1. Bern, Switzerland

Bern is a clear winner with a total index of 86.82 (out of 100). Located in the heart of the Alps, Bern offers picturesque views, quaint countryside, and a well-developed infrastructure.

It’s no surprise that the locals’ favourite mode of transport is cycling, regardless of the weather conditions. Touring is also highly praised and well accommodated within the area. There are several bike-friendly hotels geared up for cyclists and offering free tours, bike parking, and bike rentals.

A home to a rich collection of cycling routes, Bern is most cherished for its Wankdorf route, which opened in 2016. The route serves as a role model for the development of forthcoming routes because it features a separated cycle track and a green wave for cyclists riding at 20 km/h. The Green Wave is an incredible innovation, the traffic lights are coordinated for cyclists so that if they ride at a speed of 20 km/h, they will hit green lights all the way into the city in the morning rush hour. The wave is reversed in the afternoon so bicycle users can flow smoothly home, too.

Bern ranks the highest on three separate factors: air pollution, number of bike share stations, and number of bike share bicycles available. There are 174.3 bike share stations per 100,000 people and 1,646.79 bicycles per 100,000 people.

Switzerland is one of the first members of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC). In the span of the last 25 years, air quality has significantly improved in the country. That’s due to the implementation of ambitious clean air policies. Bern itself has the lowest air pollution index out of all the European capitals – only 5.68.

2. Vaduz, Liechtenstein

A city with an incredibly small population and a stunning landscape, Vaduz welcomes cycling tourists from all over the world. Its proximity to Germany means there are many cycling routes connecting Vaduz with other German cities.

Covering majestic mountain routes, lakes, and meadows, Vaduz is ideal for all types of leisure and adventure biking. One of the most popular routes is the Five Castle Tour, which starts at the city centre and goes past Vaduz Castle, Werdenberg Castle, Wartau Castle, Sargans Castle, and Burg Guttenberg Castle, and ends back in Vaduz.

The capital of Liechtenstein ranks the highest in terms of mapped cycleways, a total of 458,957.1 per 100,000 people. Vaduz is second in terms of air pollution, exhibiting only a 6.47 air pollution index. The number of cycle routes is also impressive, a total of 2828.55 per 100,000 people, which attests to the city’s well-developed cycling infrastructure.

3. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Covered by forests and flat roads, Ljubljana is one of the most bike-friendly cities for cyclists, according to a 2015 list. It was ranked fourteenth on the Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly Cities Index 2019. Now, it’s been named as the third most accommodating European capital for cyclists.

So, what makes Ljubljana such a paradise for bicycle riders? First of all, the Slovenian capital has the highest number of cycle routes – a total of 3,566.6 per 100,000 people. In the past decade, Ljubljana has implemented a number of modern ideas to boost its infrastructure.

The locals are also quite keen on cycling. Slovenian Tadej Pogačar recently won his second Tour de France in a row, and Primož Roglič has won the last three Vuela a España.

Ljubljana performs relatively well on the air pollution index, a total of 20.75. The city was named European Green Capital 2016 due to its continuous efforts to preserve and protect the green areas, manage waste, and focus on public networks and pedestrian and cycling networks. The title has influenced the cycling community, with the proportion of cyclists increasing and the cycling infrastructure expanding.

4. Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

In 2019, Luxembourg City  was voted the world’s second-best city to ride a bike after Amsterdam, according to the Dutch moving platform ScanMovers. That’s because “there is a very strong political will in the city to make it even better for bikes”.

Luxembourg City has 2,590.56 cycle routes per 100,000 people, 228,976.48 mapped routes per 100,000 people, and 158.98 bike share bicycles available per 100,000 people. The country has also been home to five Tour de France winners since 1909.

The capital of Luxembourg is famous for its organised bike tours that wind through breathtaking views and acres of forest, all part of the country’s national network of cycling paths. The government’s efforts to support cycling as both a tourist venture and a recreational activity are shown in the continuous improvements of the cycling infrastructure.

One such implementation is the UNESCO-Bike-Tour, which is organised in partnership with UNESCO. It takes cyclists on a 9.5-kilometre-long route across 80 heritage sites.

5. Copenhagen, Denmark

49% of all trips to work and education in Copenhagen were carried out on bikes in 2018, an 8% increase from 2016. By 2025, Copenhagen has set a goal of 50%, which will be easily achieved.

Indeed, the city is incredibly accommodating for cyclists. There is a network of paths that includes innovative bridges that form cycling superhighways across the city. Copenhagen was also the first city to implement a parking facility for Cargo bikes in 2009, called the Pink car.

Copenhagen comes out best in the bike share services category. There are 169.17 bike share stations per 100,000 people, putting it just behind Bern at 174.30. The most popular bike share system in the city is Bycyklen (The City Bike), which has become synonymous with Copenhagen.

Sustainable, innovative and fun

UK town and city councils could learn a lot from visiting one of these five cities, that treat their cycling citizens with respect and pride. When more people cycle, everyone benefits from cleaner air, safer roads and less congestion. Will your city ever make this list? What needs to change?

For more information about our services or to start your claim, call 0808 100 9995 and speak to one of our specialist solicitors. We’re here to help. You can email us or schedule a callback.

Written By:

Emily Pheysey

Litigation Executive

Emily has over 7 years of experience in the legal sector, handling road traffic accident claims to recover compensation and support her clients. Her focus is to ensure all clients feel comfortable and at ease with the claims process so that they can focus on their recovery.

Emily considers rapport to be an essential part of the role and strives to always provide excellent client care.

Away from work, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling as much possible.

Diane Holderness

Litigation Executive

Diane is a Ministry of Justice (TOJ) Team Leader within our Cycle Department. She has 11 years’ experience managing road traffic accident claims, and 6 years’ experience managing MOJ claims.

Diane enjoys a challenge and always strives for the very best results for her customers; something that is clear in the way her team continually adapts its strategies in order to secure the most desired outcome. Diane has worked her way through the legal ranks here, and is proud to now have a strong, specialist team that is committed to customer satisfaction.

Diane believes that happy clients make a happy working environment, and it is this that ensures a productive and efficient workforce.

Nina Haddock

Chartered Legal Executive

Nina has over 30 years’ experience in the legal sector. She specialises in recovering compensation for injury claimants as a result of road traffic accidents. Her focus for each and every claim is to help her clients secure the funding that they need to pay for ongoing treatment and support.

Nina became a CILEX Fellow in 2006 and now helps her clients and their families at a time when they have been through a traumatic experience, and everything they hold dear to them appears to be changing.

One case Nina is particularly proud of is supporting a client who had successfully sought asylum in the UK, following a road traffic accident. The claim was successfully pursued through the MIB and the client was left with significant injuries. Her client was able to use the compensation to aid family members with their applications to seek asylum in the UK.

Julian Fox

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Julian qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has worked in all areas of personal injury since 2000. Julian has a well-rounded understanding of personal injury law, having represented both claimants and defendants.

Julian always aims for maximum damages to meet his clients’ needs for injury and rehabilitation expenses, and can often secure interim payments to help meet clients’ financial needs. Julian is highly proactive in ensuring cases are progressed, ensuring a timely conclusion.

When not at the office, Julian is a keen cyclist, both on roads and virtually -he will often do an hour of ‘Zwifting’ in the mornings before starting work.

Richard Atherton

Cycling Accident Solicitor

Richard has 12 years of legal experience and qualified as a Solicitor in February 2014. He has been a Team Manager with us since 2019. Throughout his career, Richard has specialised in personal injury, handling an array of Road Traffic Accident cases, in addition to employer and public liability.

Richard prides himself on his very strong strategic and planning skills, which come into their own in complex injury cases where more technical arguments are involved. On every case, he is committed to ensuring that his clients receive full compensation for their injuries.

Away from work, Richard enjoys sport; he is a season ticket holder at St Helens Rugby Club and a Liverpool FC fan. Not only a spectator, Richard also likes going to play golf as often as he can.

Dave Gardner

Litigation Executive

Dave has over 20 years of experience in the legal sector. His specialism is personal injury and he has dealt with hundreds of cycling injury claims during his career. Excellent client care and communication is paramount to Dave. He prides himself on being accessible and available, attending court hearings where damages are in dispute to ensure the best outcome for his clients. One case Dave is particularly proud of is when he supported an elderly client who suffered serious injuries following a road traffic incident. The police had not taken any action against the defendant, so Dave had to be proactive and act within a 24-hour window. The case proceeded and the client was in receipt of £30,000 in damages, which he would not have been entitled to had the client not approached Dave. He is also an avid supporter of Glasgow Rangers and travelled abroad on many occasions to see them play in European competitions.

Gerard Horton

Partner

Gerard is a Senior Solicitor at Cycle SOS. In his 13 years of experience, Gerard has built a national reputation in the catastrophic injury sector, dealing with high value and complex cases. Alongside his legal role, Gerard supports several charities including Headway Central Lancashire, Northwest Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and spinal injury charity, Back Up.

Julia Eyton

Partner

Julia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Cycle SOS team.

Specialising in representing those who have had life changing injuries, Julia handles some of the most serious and complex personal injury cases both within Cycle SOS and nationally.

She often works on high value claims and is skilled in winning complex liability cases.

NADIA KERR

Partner

Nadia has over 30 years of legal expertise and has represented hundreds of vulnerable road users. With a focus on ensuring timely rehabilitation, speedy repair or replacement of bikes and kit, and securing fair compensation, Nadia is committed to advocating for justice and client rights. Alongside her legal career, Nadia actively participates in national campaigns to benefit vulnerable road users and acts as a Trustee/Director for the national cycling charity, Cycling UK. Nadia was named in Cycling UK’s ‘100 women’ and was a founding member, now running a women’s cycling group, TeamGlow in South Manchester. Among her many achievements, Nadia takes pride in her spot on BBC Breakfast, where she provided expert commentary on long term government funding for pothole repairs.

Caroline Morris

DIRECTOR OF SERIOUS INJURY

Caroline has specialised in personal injury for over 25 years, recovering more than £56 million in damages during that time, to help clients rebuild their lives after injury.

Caroline is committed to achieving rehabilitation options early, meaning her clients benefits from the best care and treatment at the earliest stage possible.