Many cities in the world have applied bicycle rental/purchase programs for inner-city residents as well as tourists. Correspondingly, cities have established dedicated bicycle lanes to encourage people to use this vehicle as a form of reducing pollution caused by dust from traffic activities, indirectly raising people's awareness of the issue of protecting the landscape and natural environment.
National Geographic has come up with a list of five cities that are perfect for exploring every corner of the city by bike, with well-managed infrastructure (designated bike lanes, roadside bike rentals and international airport shuttles), a bike-friendly atmosphere (from both drivers and pedestrians) and a visual appeal (easy to see the landscape and "weave" around).
Montreal
Visitors can leisurely explore Canada’s second largest city on over a thousand miles of dedicated bike paths. For North Americans, Montreal’s French language, cuisine and architecture make it an irresistible destination, giving them the feeling of being in Europe.
Tips: Cycle along the Lachine Canal for stunning skyline views.
Ljubljana
Rich in art, Renaissance and baroque architecture, Slovenia’s capital is one of the world’s best cities to explore and see on a bike. Not only does it have over 150 miles of bike lanes, Ljubljana’s city center also scores points for its flat pavement and compact layout, with some streets closed to cars and open only to pedestrians, cyclists and a few electric taxis.
Tips: The city has more than 20 bike rental stations and the first 30 minutes of rental are always free.
Berlin
The German capital has over 500 miles of dedicated bike lanes (the same number as Amsterdam) for visitors to leisurely explore this historic city. Berlin's streets are designed for cyclists; drivers and pedestrians are given equal space on the road.
Tips:Cycle along the famous Berlin Wall to see the old clock towers and explore the East Side Gallery - one of the largest open-air galleries in the world.
San Francisco
San Francisco is known for its hilly landscapes, but cycling also offers visitors great views and opportunities to explore rich cuisine. In recent decades, the city has invested more than $100 million in cycling infrastructure and installed more than 200 miles of bike lanes. While Portland and Seattle are both known as great cities for cyclists, they still cannot compare to the scenic bayside metropolis of San Francisco.
Tips:Zigzag cycling through “The Wiggle” – one of San Francisco’s iconic streets – will give cyclists great views of Golden Gate Park and a perfect view of the “Painted Ladies” in Alamo Square.
Tokyo
The world's largest metropolis never fails to surprise in countless ways, including its impressive bike lanes and uniquely divided sidewalks for cyclists and pedestrians. This makes Japan one of the most cycling-friendly cities on the planet.
Tips:Cycle to Tokyo's new National Stadium to see the streets and the excitement people are creating in preparation for the upcoming 2020 Summer Olympics.
