Cities best explored on two wheels: Surprise tops the list

A bicycle on a trip can combine two things that are usually excluded: the speed of public transport and the sense of detail that we get on foot. New Time-out The list, based on responses from more than 24.000 city residents, shows where locals really think getting around on two wheels is good or great. At the top is neither Amsterdam nor Copenhagen, but Cambridge.

The English university city received 83,2 percent positive ratings. It is helped by flat terrain, a compact urban structure and an infrastructure that treats cycling as everyday transport, not as a weekend accessory. According to data provided with the survey, around a third of journeys in Cambridge are made by bike, while the multi-storey bike parking at the station shows how small practical decisions can change habits.

Montreal is second with 82,5 percent, despite its cold winters and hills, while Copenhagen is third with 79,2 percent. Shanghai, Vienna and Warsaw follow. The list is interesting because it doesn't just reward famous cycling capitals: locals highly value protected trails, slow traffic, a good rental network and easy routes that connect neighborhoods, parks and landmarks.

For travelers, the ability to read the city through a clear route is particularly attractive. In Shanghai, it is a 24-kilometer-long car-free path along the Huangpu River, in Warsaw, a route along the left bank of the Vistula, and in Stockholm, loops over islands and along the water. Vienna, according to Time Out, has about 1.800 kilometers of bike paths, while Seville, with its flat terrain and a network connecting the main sights, makes it easy to see without constantly returning to the metro.

However, the rankings should be read as a snapshot of residents' experiences, not as a universal guarantee of safety. Conditions vary by neighborhood, time of day, and season, and shared paths often give priority to pedestrians. Before riding, it's worth checking local rules, required equipment, how to lock your bike, and whether your rental vehicle is covered by insurance.

The best cycling city is not necessarily the one with the most kilometres mapped out, but the one where the route feels connected and predictable. For tourists, it's an invitation to plan a day trip more slowly: without rushing through a list of attractions, but with enough freedom to stop where the city gets interesting.

Article prepared with the support of AI tools.