Copenhagen trumps Amsterdam as world’s best city for cycling

In the tussle at the top of the Top 20 Cities for cycling list, the respected bi-annual Copenhagenize Index, the two primary cities have swapped places.

Amsterdam had ruled the roost for the first two lists, but now Copenhagen has taken its place as the most bike-friendly city in the world.

Other highlights in the list created by Copenhagenize and backed by Wired include the debut of an American city – Minneapolis – and the arrival of Slovenian capital Ljubljana in the top 20. Likewise Buenos Aires is a new arrival in the list.

Sadly there was no sign of any UK city making the top 20.

On Copenhagen, the list said: "The Danish capital remains impressively consistent in its investment in cycling as transport and in making efforts to push it to the next level.

"With regard to a uniform network of urban design for bicycles, Copenhagen is unrivaled in the world. The clear leadership we missed in the 2013 ranking is once again in place with the election of Morten Kabell as head of transportation."

On Amsterdam: "Amsterdam, like most Dutch cities, suffers from its insistence on maintaining a status quo rather than trying to improve, think modern, and take things to the next level. One of the world’s benchmark cities for cycling, Amsterdam has a leadership role for what it has done, as opposed to what it is doing and planning.

"Amsterdam must act to show the world how to continue developing, otherwise other cities will take over the innovation role."

It added: "The key to a top spot is clear. You need serious advocacy, bike facilities, social acceptance, and a general perception that cycling is safe. You get extra points for a higher modal percentage—the share of residents who get around by bike as opposed to car or public transit—and for a 50-50 gender split among cyclists."

The top 20:

1. Copenhagen
2. Amsterdam
3. Utrecht
4. Strasbourg
5. Eindhoven
6. Malmo
7. Nantes
8. Bordeaux
9. Antwerp
10. Seville
11. Barcelona
12. Berlin
13. Ljubjana
14. Buenos Aires
15. Dublin
16. Vienna
17. Paris
18. Minneapolis
19. Hamburg
20. Montreal

More at Copenhagenize