Travel

The Top 5 Cities To Explore On A Bike

T here’s no feeling quite like zooming along with the wind in your hair, unrestrained by car seats, without a care in the world -and bike lovers know this best. Bike travel is an eco-friendly, intimate, and adventurous way to explore any place, and when it comes to beautiful cities to visit by bike, these 5 cities take the crown.

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

An analysis of Instagram posts by MoneyBeach discovered the most beautiful cities to visit by bike put Chiang Mai in Thailand at the top, which is precisely why this breathtaking city is also the first on our list.

Chiang Mai is Thailand’s fourth-largest city, known globally for its rich local history and breathtaking mountainous regions that are every bike enthusiast’s dream. There are hundreds of scenic routes you can explore by bike, with beautiful temples and mountain regions keeping you company as you zoom along. With the city’s higher elevation, cool temperatures, rich cultural history, and stunning mountain roads, it’s easy to see why Chiang Mai is so loved by bike fanatics around the globe.

Excited to kickstart your adventure and tour this picturesque city? Here’s a simple Chiang Mai travel guide to help you.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark

Known as the Cycle City itself, Copenhagen is often the first place that comes to mind when we think of bike-friendly cities. In fact, it is the only city in the world with a biking highway -the Cycle Superhighway which leads into the city center!

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark and continued government investments in infrastructure and safety have made it into a biker’s heaven. It has hundreds of famous tourist spots that are easily accessible on a bike, such as the Superkilen Park, The Harbour Circle, Tivoli Garden, and Nyhavn. Copenhagen is globally appreciated for its eco-friendly and safety-conscious bike culture, and this city is an absolute must-visit if you’re planning on trotting around the globe on your two wheels!

3. Portland, United States

Portland is one of the forefront cities of the United States when it comes to eco-awareness and bike culture. The city has designated bike lanes and roughly 6% of the working population commute by bike, the highest number in the whole of the USA!

Portland guarantees some high-quality, fulfilling riding with plenty of popular bike trails that you can follow, such as the Eastbank Esplanade along the Willamette River. You can ride alongside stunning skyline views to your heart’s desire, with stunning cherry blossoms and a number of fairs and festivals to stop at. You can also explore the quiet suburbs and roam the Eastside neighbourhoods on a 4.2-mile ride, with plenty of local art shops, street fairs, vintage stores, restaurants, and other points of interest to keep you entertained while you cycle to your heart’s desire.

4. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg is known as the ‘Capital of Christmas’ and its rich blend of history, culture, cuisine, and art undoubtedly make it one of the most beautiful cities to visit by bike. The city is famous for its delectable wines, quaint houses, old-fashioned charm, and also for being a powerful European political centre. The city centre is largely car-free and most of Strasbourg’s key destinations can easily be accessed by bike, making it extremely bike-friendly.

5. Amsterdam, Netherlands

The ‘Sin City’ is famous for its coffee shops, elaborate canals, gabled houses, and the Red Light District, but many people often forget to appreciate it as the biker’s haven it truly is.

For people in Amsterdam, biking is a way of life -with over 40% of the city traffic consisting of bikes alone. The city also has over 800,000 bicycles, which is more than the number of people living there! Biking in Amsterdam is clean, quiet, safe and efficient, and of course, highly enjoyable.

Some key areas to explore in this wondrous dreamland are The Nieuwmarkt, Vondelpark, Waterland District, and Amsterdamse Bos, the city’s very own huge man-made forest! You can also hop on guided biking tours that’ll take you along this dreamy city, pointing out all the gems you cannot miss.
So, there you have it! These are the top 5 most beautiful cities to visit by bike, and no matter which one you visit first, we’re sure you’ll be greeted by stunning panoramic views wherever you go!