Amsterdam

Amsterdam is perfectly set up for cycling – there are about 515 km (320 miles) of dedicated bike lanes. Amsterdam is regularly rated as the 2nd most bike-friendly city in the world, just behind Copenhagen. There are about 880,000 bicycles in a city of 800,000 people and 58% of locals over 12 ride daily. City officials are planning to create more bike parks and bike lanes to prevent traffic jams for bicycles. Cycling in Amsterdam should definitely be your first choice to see the city. If you have the time to get off the regular tourist route you’ll discover quiet streets, communal squares, markets (on weekends), some picturesque images of canals. You’ll pass the sights too, but the fun is in discovering something new.

Cycling has been ingrained in the Dutch psyche from all walks of life, as the entire country's terrain is relatively flat, suitable for cycling. The Netherlands has a population of 17.2 million and about a quarter of them (i.e.4.25 million) cycle every day. There are more bicycles in the country than the population. The average person owns about 1.33 bicycles. If you want to cycle around the city, you need a little practice to get up to speed with the locals. Many accidents happen in the center of Amsterdam because of the carelessness, and lack of experience by tourists who have rarely cyclists before.

Country: The Netherlands