Cycling around the world

With 38,000 km of cycling paths, it's no surprise that the Netherlands is the champion of cycling! Cycling is a widespread mode of transportation and has become a symbol of the country's culture.

Well-designed and comfortable infrastructure encourages cycling for daily commuting, attracting cycling enthusiasts and ecotourists. The flat landscape makes cycling accessible even for less athletic individuals.

In the Netherlands, safety is a priority, with a quarter of the cycling network physically separated from motorized traffic. Traffic regulations also strongly favor cyclists, providing them with many rights of way on the road and at intersections.

With such widespread access to cycling, it's easy to imagine that the Dutch enjoy good mental health.

Although a bit hillier than the Netherlands, Denmark is a country where cycling is extremely pleasant and accessible. In Copenhagen, 50% of commuting trips are made by bike.

The capital even hosts the Danish Cycling Embassy.

Cocorico! In France, although infrastructure is not yet sufficiently developed, especially in rural areas, cycling is gaining popularity.

Initiatives such as bike-sharing systems, investments in cycling infrastructure, and the popularity of cycling to work aim to promote bike use for urban commuting.

There's even talk of a French app that offers secure routes for cyclists 😉

France is notably known for the Tour de France! Every year, this event captivates French and international spectators alike.

Although the rise of automobiles has reduced the share of bicycles in major cities in recent years, cycling remains popular in some regions.

Shared bike services experienced exponential growth, initially delighting residents and tourists. However, bike-sharing has a downside, as in China, the supply has far exceeded demand. Thousands of unused bikes now clutter designated areas, sadly becoming a source of uncontrolled pollution.

Every Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm, the streets of Bogotá, the Colombian capital, are closed to motorists, providing exclusive access to cyclists and pedestrians.

Bogotá boasts 540 km of cycling paths, the largest cycling infrastructure in all of Latin America! One can easily imagine reduced noise and air pollution, giving way to a peaceful atmosphere where walkers, passionate cyclists, heavily loaded cargo bikes, and determined joggers cross paths.

This measure has encouraged the adoption of cycling by many residents. This weekly event brings together nearly 1.5 million people of all ages and social classes, enjoying the simple pleasures of walking, running, or cycling together.