July 2016
Copenhagen and Amsterdam are the tried-and-tested utopias, but there are also some less likely European cities rolling out bike share schemes and cycle lanes to encourage two-wheeled travel. Here are six destinations turning their cycling offerings up a gear.
Seville, Spain
Like many European cities, Seville’s narrow streets were designed for horse-drawn traffic. Residents still take siestas in the sultry, laidback capital of Andalucia – but that means four rush hours a day. To get people moving, the city has created a 120-kilometre network of cycle paths looping through and around the charming Old town. The two-way lanes are separated by a raised kerb, which makes Seville very safe for cycling. You won’t find many cyclists breaking a sweat in this mercifully flat city, where the average year-round temperature is 18°C. There are 2,500 bikes available through Seville’s municipal bike hire scheme, Sevici.
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Two wheels good
Bikes are available to rent from 250 stations around Seville, as part of the Sevici public cycle scheme. The first 30 minutes are free, the next hour is €1, and you’ll pay €2 for every hour after that.
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Milan, Italy
Italy’s economic powerhouse might be better known for Vespas when it comes to two-wheeled travel, but the city is attempting to make its roads friendly for cyclists in a bid to cut down pollution levels. Milan’s bicycle lanes were recently improved and extended ahead of the 2015 Expo and its cycle share scheme, BikeMi, has 280 stations holding more than 4,500 bikes scattered around the city.
Ghisallo con Valbrona is a trail that’s almost as legendary as da Vinci’s The Last Supper – the path takes die-hard riders past ancient monasteries and lofty villages to the sacred grounds of the Santuario della Madonna Del Ghisallo
If you’re feeling energetic, follow in the tracks of the Giro D’Italia riders (Italy’s answer to the Tour de France) on the 87.2-mile Ghisallo con Valbrona. A trail that’s almost as legendary as da Vinci’s The Last Supper, the path takes die-hard riders past ancient monasteries and lofty villages to the sacred grounds of the Santuario della Madonna Del Ghisallo – home to a mountain-top bike museum and shrine dedicated to patroness of cyclists. Sound tough? Join the Critical Mass movement’s spontaneous bike tour that starts from Piazza Duomo in the city every Thursday night at 22:00 instead.
Rhodes, Greece
On the Greek island of Rhodes, bike share docks are dotted around the medieval old town, with cycle routes running alongside the fortified castle walls. It’s a fairly steep climb up to the ancient temple and stadium on Monte Smith hill, or along the coast and up through the forest to Filerimos monastery, but the view across western Rhodes is well worth the legwork. Cyclopolis, Greece’s first bike share company, plans to roll out more stations at local resorts, and launched a bike share service in the Cretan port of Chania in September 2015. The first three hours are free and then chargeable at €1 per hour after.
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Passing acquaintance
Christopher Columbus stopped off at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s capital, in 1492, on his way back from America. The house where he stayed, Casa de Colón, is now a museum.
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Quiet time
The monastery of Kira tou Filerimou (Our Lady of Filerimos) was built in the 14th century by a wealthy knight, who lived there as a hermit. The name ‘Filerimos’ means ‘he who loves solitude’.
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Easy rider
In Zurich, city bikes, e-bikes and children’s bikes can all be hired for free. Visit Bike Station North (at the Swiss National Museum) or Bike Station South (at the Postbrücke) with your ID and a deposit of CHF 20 (£15) to collect your cycle.
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