Explore the world’s most cyclable cities

Traffic is a universal drag, nothing induces migraines like deciphering a foreign public transport network, and walking just takes too long – these are just a few reasons cycling is often the best way to discover a new city. From the comfort of your personal two-wheeler, you can cover kilometres without excessive effort or expense. Add the fact that hopping on a bike has zero environmental impact and keeps you trim while you travel, and it’s easy to see why cycling holidays are trending right now.

Of course, not all cities evolved to be equally cyclist-friendly, but many destinations are making rapid transformations to meet the growing biking buzz, increasing their appeal to casual and seasoned riders alike. Here are six of the world’s most cyclable cities.

1. Girona, Spain

Beat Barcelona’s infamous crowds and jump aboard a train for a 40-minute journey up the coast to Girona, one of Europe’s most popular cycling hubs, said to be home to more than 100 pro bikers. The cosy medieval Catalan city is the jumping-off point for traversing an almost-inexhaustible selection of routes offering the best of the outdoors: namely, Spanish sunshine, rolling cliffs, copious countryside and fresh coastal air. Be sure to stop off at the Eat Sleep Cycle Café to mingle with other two-wheel friends.  

2. Kyoto, Japan 

For as long as travellers have been flocking to Japan’s serene central city, they’ve been getting around it by bike. Kyoto’s attractions may be spread out, but they’re easily reached on two wheels thanks to the city’s flat landscape and wide, calm streets. 

The Insta-famous Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine is best enjoyed after a ride along the Kamo River promenade, and with a little extra legwork, it’s possible to tick off other popular sights – including Kiyomizu-dera temple, Kinkakuji pavilion and Bamboo Forest – in a single day. This makes a day trip from Osaka eminently appealing, with a bullet train closing the gap in less than 15 minutes.  

There are numerous bike rental services across the city, but the Kyoto Cycling Tour Project comes highly recommended and offers its own tour packages. 

3. Melbourne, Australia 

Home to Australia’s most ardent cycling community, today Melbourne boasts 135km of purpose-built bike trails. Yet gliding around the suburbs is only half the story – it’s the city’s surrounding scenery that needs to be seen to be believed. An early-morning pedal along the flat, bay-side Beach Road is a rite of passage for any cyclist. For fresh forest air, head 30km east to the gruelling Dandenong Ranges: idyllic low mountains dotted with ferns and rainforest. To really tone up, tackle the 1 in 20 : a popular 6.8km road climb that ascends from The Basin suburb to the hilltop village of Sassafras.   

4. Taitung County, Taiwan China

It’s well worth making the inexpensive, two-and-a-half-hour train ride from Kaohsiung to arrive at Taitung, a cyclist’s paradise on Taiwan’s rural southeastern edge. Even a casual rider could easily lose track of time amid the Huadong Valley’s flat checkerboard landscape of green fields and yellow paddies, punctuated by fresh streams and framed by rolling mountains. A total of six official routes are maintained by the government, ranging from 7km to 34km, with a mix of forest, coast and small-town vistas along the way.

5. Vancouver, Canada

While Montreal might traditionally top rankings of Canada’s most cyclist-friendly cities, its west coast rival is coming for the crown. In recent years, Vancouver has innovated in cycling accessibility at a speed light years ahead of many North American neighbours. The result is an expanding network of easy, all-ages bike tracks and the highest city-wide bicycle uptake in Canada. Start with the 17km “Iconic Vancouver” route , before building up to the 25km coastal alternative.  

6. Xi’an, the Chinese Mainland

There’s no better way to get a handle on China’s central, Silk Road gem than by bike. Xi’an’s ancient city walls still stand, and while it takes a long, tiring day to complete the loop on foot, you can trace the entire route – roughly 15km – in just a couple of hours by bike. Why rush, though, when you can hop off at any time to ascend the wall and soak up the view? If you have more time at your disposal, head south out of the city towards the protected Chanba National Wetland Park for a relaxing ride amid marshes, swamps and lakes.