Top Bicycle-Friendly Cities In The World (Part 2)

(This article was originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled

in the August 28 to Sept. 3, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle

--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)

Last week, we cited 6 of the top 11 bicycle-friendly cities in the world, according to The Bicycle-Friendly Communities Campaign. They are Amsterdam (Netherlands), Portland (Oregon, USA), Copenhagen (Denmark), Boulder (Colorado, USA), Davis (California, USA), and Sandnes (Norway).

The following are the number 7 to 11 of the top bicycle-friendly cities in the world, according to The Bicycle-Friendly Communities Campaign:

7. TRONDHEIM, NORWAY

They have invented the world’s first Bicycle Lift (Trampe) which actually has become one of Trondheims most popular tourist attractions and has become a success.

Inspired by the ski lift technology, the cyclists could be pushed uphill without having to get off of the bicycle. Taking into account the topography of Trondheim, it is no surprise that the idea of a bicycle lift was conceived here.

Trondheim is an environmental-friendly city that promotes cycling. It has a public bike project where you can rent bikes. Eighteen percent of the population of Trondheim uses bike as a daily means of transport to work or school. Norway aims to raise bicycle traffic to at least 8 percent of all travel by 2015.

8. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA

San Francisco is the second most densely populated city in the U.S, so a core bicycle system is key here and it also is consistently ranked by Bicycling Magazine as a top city for cycling. Bicycling is a popular mode of transportation in San Francisco, with about 40,000 residents commuting to work regularly by bicycle. There are 63 miles of bicycle lanes and paths throughout the city.

The San Francisco Bicycle Coalition endorsed eight candidates for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and all were elected. The board, which is the transportation authority for the city and county, puts highest priority on pedestrian and cycling needs.

With the number of commuters growing, all public transportation has been equipped to carry bicycles, and driving lanes are being converted into bike lanes.

9. BERLIN, GERMANY

Berlin is the country's largest city and the second most populous city in the European Union. In Berlin, where less than half of residents own a car, it has become downright common to ride a bike every day.

Riders have access to 390 miles of bike paths with over 90 miles of mandatory bicycle paths, 120 miles of off-road bicycle routes, 40 miles of bike lanes on the roads, 50 miles of shared bus lanes which are also open to bicyclists, 60 miles of combined pedestrian/bike paths and 30 miles of marked bike lanes on the sidewalks. Around 500,000 daily riders account for 13 percent of total traffic.

Online bicycle router BBBike determines the best bike route between two points in Berlin. Just enter your origin and destination point. The application has features such as: a display map with streets, railways, rivers, parks, altitude and other features; find and show routes between two points; the route-finder can be customized to match the cyclists preferences (fastest or nicest route, keep wind direction and hills into account etc.); a bike power calculator and automatically fetch current Berlin weather data.

10. BARCELONA, SPAIN

In 2007, Barcelona's City Council started the Bicing Service, a bicycle service for public transport. Once the user has their card, they can take a bicycle from any of the 100 stations spread around the city and use it anywhere the urban area of the city, and then leave it at another station.

Barcelona City Council is working day and night to expand, rationalize and improve the network of routes and cycle paths in the city. The city has created a 'green ring' that surrounds the metropolitan area of Barcelona with a bike path. There are currently 3,250 parking spaces for bikes at street level. Barcelona City Council is constructing a new underground car park for bicycles; this forms part of a pilot program to prevent theft and provide security for bicycle users.

Starting that year, deliberately aimed to coincide with Car-Free Day (every September), the Sustainable and Safe Mobility Week takes place, in which a whole day is dedicated to the bicycle. Bike Week was held for the first time between May 21 and 26 in 2002. It's another step forward along the same path that was started by the Festival of the Bicycle, which is integrated into Bike Week. Apart from the festive and leisure activities or the presentation of various projects that are centered on the bicycle, it is a call to use pedal power to get around.

11. BASEL, SWITZERLAND

Basel is surrounded by a rich agricultural region where fruit trees and grapevines are cultivated and cattle are raised making for beautiful countryside bike tours with clearly-marked networks of bicycle routes and paths that crisscross both the city as well as the surrounding region.

Basel is a very bicycle-friendly city, with many well-marked bicycle lanes throughout the city, and even traffic signals and left-hand turn lanes for bikes. Special route maps are also available for cyclists.

Bikes can be rented locally from the Rent-a-Bike underground bike park. Besides local commuter bike lanes, there are specific bike trails that connect to other parts of Switzerland. These bike trails are indicated by signs at some intersections.

Until then and have a safe ride all the time. Put on that cycling helmet each time you get on your bike. Remember: YOU CAN BEAT THE EGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL.* (SP14)