And the best cities in the world to cycle are...

There are many ways to discover a city.

If we know the traditional way of walking, which (often) ends up wearing down the arches of the feet at the end of the holidays, another means of transport is gradually becoming essential: the bicycle.

Already legion in some municipalities, such as Amsterdam, the two-wheeler has many advantages, both on a sporting and ecological level.

Still, the territories are not all equal in terms of infrastructure.

This is what Luko reveals, with the Bicycle Cities Index, published in mid-February.

The French start-up, specializing in insurance products, has produced the 2022 ranking of the best cities in the world for cycling.

Unsurprisingly, the Netherlands comes first, with the city of Utrecht.

The top 5 is completed by Munster (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Copenhagen (Denmark) and Amsterdam.

So many good students who regularly top the rankings on the subject.

The first French city, Strasbourg, climbs to 11th place, followed by Bordeaux.

Paris, which is currently developing a five-year cycling plan, is only in 32nd position.

If Europe (especially Germany) largely dominates the top of the ranking, three cities located outside the continent still manage to stand out: Hangzhou (China) in 7th place, Montreal (16th) and Melbourne (20th).

Read alsoIn the saddle in Marseille: three rides to discover the Marseille city by bike

Several criteria examined

“To conduct the study, we first selected cities around the world, including traditional cycling cities, as well as lesser-known places improving their cycling infrastructure.

Then, we analyzed each location according to several factors that determine whether a city is suitable for cycling or not

,” says Luko.

The French company looked at criteria, such as the percentage of bicycle users, safety, bicycle-related crime and of course road infrastructure.

The weather conditions, but also the rise of self-service bicycles and the popularity of certain events around two-wheelers, were also taken into account.

A total of 90 cities were scrutinized.

How to explain the good result of Utrecht?

For more than 30 years, the fourth largest city in the Netherlands has had a proactive policy on non-motorized two-wheelers.

It even has the largest bicycle parking lot in the world, with 12,500 spaces.

And his passion for cycling shouldn't stop there.

According to

, it is even banking on a larger infrastructure by 2025, with 33,000 places.

Nothing less.

2022 ranking of the best cities in the world for cycling