With over 250 million bicycles in Europe alone, cycling has firmly established itself as the cornerstone of sustainable urban mobility. Cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Berlin lead the way in bike-friendly initiatives. Initiaves such as bike-sharing programs or tax incentives for urban bike commuters.
Cycling produces zero emissions, reduces congestion, and promotes healthier lifestyles. Urban planners are increasingly integrating bike-friendly policies to combat pollution and climate change.
Bike-sharing programs have gained immense popularity over the past decade, with major cities rolling out extensive fleets of shared bicycles.
Top bike-sharing programs per city
- Velib in Paris. Launched in 2007, it offers both traditional and electric bikes, with stations widely distributed throughout the city.
- Santander Cycles in London. Known colloquially as Boris Bikes after former Mayor Boris Johnson. The program was launched in 2010 and has over 700 docking stations. The bikes are sponsored by Santander Bank and include traditional and electric options.
- OV-fiets in Amsterdam. Though not a traditional bike-sharing scheme, OV-fiets allows users to rent bikes at train stations for the day. Additionally, the program works in multiple other cities in the country. This allows you to register once and be able to use it all across The Netherlands. Amsterdam also has several other bike- sharing initiatives, reflecting its status as one of the bike-friendliest cities in the world.
- Bicing in Barcelona. It provides residents and visitors easy access to bicycles. The system is subscription-based and is aimed primarily at locals. It is one of the cheapest options in the continent.
- Nextbike in Berlin. Nextbike offers a large fleet of traditional bikes. You can simply use it by downloading the app.
- Bycyklen in Copenhagen. It offers smart bikes equipped with touch screens. Users can find bikes at various stations and the system is integrated with public transport.
- ROMA Bike Sharing in Rome. With various electric and traditional options, the system aims to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the city.
- BiciMAD in Madrid. It is an electric bike-sharing program, available for both residents and tourists. It promotes eco-friendly transportation in the city.
- Stockholm City Bikes in Stockholm. This program offers traditional bicycles for hire and has extensive docking stations throughout the city. Users can purchase access for a day or for the entire season.
- Citybike Wien in Vienna. It is a bike-sharing initiative that features numerous stations around the city, allowing users to rent bikes through a simple registration process.
Programs worldwide
- Lime. They offer e-bike and scooter rentals. You can ride their fleet by downloading the app and scanning the QR code. They are present in more than 280 cities in nearly 30 countries. They operate mostly in Europe and North America.
- Voi. Similar to Lime, they offer e-bike and scooter options. However, they are only available in Europe at the moment.
These programs have made cycling accessible to millions of urban dwellers, aligning with global efforts to promote sustainable urban transport. Be sure to check them out on your next trip for a fast and easy way to move around.