When it comes to bike friendliness, some European cities really have their foot on the pedal. Amsterdam is still the leader of the pack with a whopping 50% of its residents using bikes to make journeys under 8km. But coming up fast on the outside lane is a new Lycra clad pretender. Ring your bell for Copenhagen.

Head butting tarmac

As someone who has headbutted the tarmac dodging trams, cars and flying Dutchmen in the Netherlands’ capital, I know that despite its bike capital status, Amsterdam is no ride in the park.

As someone who has headbutted the tarmac dodging trams, cars and flying Dutchmen, I know Amsterdam is no ride in the park.

Copenhagen, on the other hand, has 350km of dedicated silky smooth bike lanes, which might explain why so many locals saddle up each day. No matter where you look, you’ll see businessmen with suits tucked in socks, parents towing kids on special trailers known as cargo bikes, and grey-haired grannies clocking up the kilometers.

In fact, nearly 700 000 people bike to work or school, pedaling a total of 1.1 million km a day. But the city council wants still more bums on bike seats. In fact, by 2015, it plans to take Amsterdam’s crash helmet crown.

A passion for pedaling

This passion might explain why there are so many cool Copenhagen cycle blogs and why last week Copenhagen hosted a Bicycle Parade. Some hardy souls were so desperate to attend, they biked all the way from the UK. Profile raising events like this are set to be a regular occurrence. The BMX World Cup has just finished, and in 2010, world championship in track cycling will be coming to town. No doubt these events will attract bike nuts from around the world, but if you just want to check out a beautiful city at your own pace, without spewing pollution, Copenhagen makes it easy to get on your bike.

It’s a jungle out there

The cheapest and least comfortable choice is to take one of the 2000 city bikes located in 110 city bike stations. Available between April and November, they are totally free (so you have no reason to moan). For a more stylish option, you can always hire a bike. There are loads of rental shops and many hotels can sort you out too. But possibly the funkiest way to see the big city jungle is on a bike safari. Not only do you get a guide, you can also choose from a variety of different themes, everything from Danish design to big city organics. You might not see any wild animals, but if you take the night bike tour, you’re sure to see streets full of wild life.

Destinations: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Denmark, Netherlands