3 Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in Europe
AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is rightfully considered the cycling capital of Europe; you won't find so many people on bicycles anywhere else in the world! The infrastructure for cyclists here has been developing for centuries; the city is crisscrossed with canals, and cars cannot pass everywhere in Amsterdam. Only here is the cyclist the main participant in traffic, with dedicated lanes and separate traffic lights. The length of bicycle paths in Amsterdam is over 400 km. Even if you are an unsure rider, you can safely rent a bicycle and conquer this wonderful city.
Where to rent a bicycle in Amsterdam? Everywhere! Yes, there are a huge number of bicycle rental agencies here, and you can also rent a two-wheeled friend in many hotels or hostels.
PARIS
Bicycle rental for tourists in Paris appeared relatively recently, in 2007. At that time, over 750 automatic rental stations were installed throughout the city; now there are about 1500 of them.
To rent a bicycle, you will only need a plastic card. Please note that the card must have a chip; magnetic stripe cards are not accepted. If your card is magnetic, you will need to pay for the rental online on the Vélib’ website.
The rental payment consists of 2 amounts: the Vélib’ company service fee, which is €1.7 per day (or €8 per week), and the rental cost. The first 30 minutes of rental are free, then €1 for every subsequent 30 minutes, the third half-hour is charged at €3, and the fourth and subsequent half-hours are €4.
It is most cost-effective to return the bicycle every 30 minutes and take it again. In this case, you will only pay for Vélib’ services.
Please note that in addition to the company service fees and the rental itself, your card must have at least €150 as a deposit for each bicycle. As a rule, this amount is blocked on the card, and after the subscription expires, the amount will be returned to your card within 4-14 days. In some cases, it is not blocked but immediately debited, most often when paying with "Visa Electron" and "Maestro" cards. If you plan to cycle for several days, it is better to get a weekly pass, as in this case, the deposit will only be debited or blocked once. If you buy a daily pass every day, then €150 will also be blocked every day. Similar stations are located not only in Paris but also in other popular cities in France. However, while there are fifteen hundred rental stations in Paris, the situation is more challenging in other cities. A couple of years ago, renting a bicycle was not a problem, but now city residents and tourists have embraced this new mode of transport, and most parking spots in popular tourist areas are empty during the day.
In addition to Vélib’, there are many smaller companies in Paris that rent out bicycles. Some even organize special bike tours, though currently they are only in English, for example BIKE ABOUT TOURS.
LONDON
For Londoners, a bicycle is a common mode of transport. Even in the City's business district, amidst skyscrapers and offices of the world's largest corporations, you can see a clerk, or perhaps a top manager, in a perfectly ironed suit and on a bicycle. A bicycle is no obstacle to the dress code :)
Tourists need to remember some rules. Cycling on sidewalks is prohibited; it is not safe. If you are afraid of busy road traffic, ride in the lane designated for public transport. But a helmet will still not be superfluous!
What to look for when choosing a rental bicycle?
Before taking a bicycle, check its technical condition:- Handlebar and seat adjustment
- Chain
- Brakes
- Tires
- Bell operation. You will need it when riding in a park where many people are walking.
- Light. If you plan to ride in the evening or at night, be sure to check the light's operation.
- Spokes. They should not be bent or broken.
