The Burrow
Jul 10, 2025
As eco-friendly practices continue to grow in popularity, more people are choosing to ditch the car and instead hit the road on their bicycle. There are many benefits that come with cycling, including better air quality, reduced traffic congestion and improved fitness. With this in mind, the home and contents experts at Compare the Market Australia decided to find out which cities in the world are the most bicycle friendly.
We began by running the numbers and ranking the top 25 global cities by how well they cater to cyclists and scooter riders. By combining hard metrics that include cycling modal share (the percentage of residents who travel by bike), kilometres of dedicated bike network per 10,000 people, and the number of people Googling terms relating to cycling and e-scooters per 10,000 residents, we arrive at a unified Cycling Friendliness Score out of 100.
As well as telling you which cities lead the two-wheeled revolution, these figures also shine a light on how urban environments are being redesigned to better accommodate bike travel. Whether you’re a seasoned road rider or simply use your bike to get from A to B, our findings offer fresh insight into why certain cities are miles ahead of the rest. To see our past research on cyclist and scooter friendly cities, click here.
So, fill up your water bottle and strap on your helmet, as it’s time to explore the world’s best cities for cyclists.
It may come as no surprise that Europe dominates the rankings when it comes to the best cities for cyclists.
Nestled in the heart of the Netherlands, Utrecht is a vibrant university city renowned for its historic canals, medieval architecture and world-class cycling infrastructure.
Utrecht’s high-density bike network allows more people to cycle safely, which directly contributes to the city’s modal share. If you enjoy bike-friendly surroundings, Utrecht is the place to be.
Framed by the Black Forest in southwest Germany, Freiburg is celebrated for its eco-friendly initiatives, sun-soaked squares and laid-back, bike-centric culture.
The dedicated bike network throughout the city is a large factor here, resulting in Freiburg im Breisgau being ranked second in the world for bike-friendly environments.
Sweden’s third-largest city, Malmö blends modern waterfront living with a rich industrial past, all set against the backdrop of its award-winning sustainable neighbourhoods.
Malmö strikes a good balance between the number of cyclists, the amount of dedicated bike networks and the volume of cycling-related search interest. When these are combined, it takes the third spot for the world’s best cycling cities.
Often called the “City of Light,” Eindhoven in the Netherlands is a hub of innovation and design, where cutting-edge technology meets a dynamic arts scene. Needless to say, cycling is very popular here.
An extensive cycling network works to Eindhoven’s benefit, earning it fourth place in terms of the world’s best cities for cyclists.
One of Poland’s oldest cities, Poznań charms visitors with its colourful Renaissance town hall, lively student population and a growing reputation for creative startups.
Though Poznań has significantly lower cycle adoption than the other cities in the top five, it does receive a large volume of cycling-related Google searches. Mixed with a respectable amount of dedicated biking network, these factors result in it taking fifth position in our global rankings.
The following cities didn’t make the top five but they’re still excellent for cyclists.
Now let’s bring it closer to home and look at the best cities for cyclists in Australia and New Zealand.
Known as the “Garden City,” Christchurch combines a flat, easy-to-navigate street grid with an expanding network of segregated cycleways and scenic riverside trails.
At 6%, Christchurch has the highest modal cycling share in all of Australia and New Zealand.
Canberra boasts wide boulevards and dedicated bike paths linking its parliamentary triangle, lakeside promenades and residential suburbs.
Canberra’s high volume of cycling-related online searches works in its favour, making it one of the best cycling cities in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite its famously blustery winds, Wellington’s compact urban core and growing cycleway network make pedalling between waterfront cafés and hillside lookouts a breeze.
Wellington has a relatively high modal share of cycling for Australia and New Zealand, earning it a place in the rankings.
With its subtropical climate and iconic green bridges, Brisbane offers cyclists an ever-expanding grid of riverside paths and inner-city lanes, which are perfect for commuting or leisure rides.
High volumes of cycling-related online searches make Brisbane a popular place for bike riders.
Often hailed as Australia’s cycling capital, Adelaide features a comprehensive parklands loop, extensive on-road bike lanes, and regular community bike events that celebrate sustainable transport.
Adelaide may have a low cycling modal share but there’s a lot of online interest, putting it at number five in Australia and New Zealand.
Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, notes that bike-friendly cities aren’t just great for cyclists.
“Bike-friendly cities are, by extension, people-friendly cities,” Mr Taylor says.
“These cities are great for those looking for alternative transport methods away from the road.
“If you own a bike or scooter, it’s important that you protect it against damage and theft. Some contents policies will cover your bike provided it is secured while at home, and some policies might require you to specifically list your bike when taking out cover. When looking to take out home and contents insurance, it’s important to compare your options to find the right cover for you and your belongings.”
Rankings are based on a weighted average score combining three metrics: