Amsterdam has a 25-50% cycle rate. This represents a deliperate policy: Amsterdam city Council set out to make cycling safer and popular. Of course the city's geography helped, with few hills and narrow roads, and the city started to actively encourage cycling over 30 years ago. There are many cycle lanes by the side of busy roads, and these are safe for inexperienced cyclists. Residential roads have very slow speeds, and these roads are designed to prevent fast driving.

In the next few years Amsterdam is going to spend 100 million euros to improve its cycle network further, and reduce car use. For longer journeys residents often combine their cycle journey with public transport, that is bus, tram or ferry. The bus and public transport service is very reliable and safe and popular. There is little danger of mugging, and many people are seen out walking in the evening.

Birmingham has very low cycling rates (1%), fast roads, a lot of traffic, and a significant car culture. A new cycle map published in March 2006 is a big step forward. Join our campaign for a cycle network here.

Cambridge has a long history of cycling, aided by its flat terrain.

Beijing has a long history of cycling. There are reports that cycle lanes are being in converted itto regular roads, with massive pollution increases.

Bogata has recently increased cycle use 50 times. The transformation was lead by the mayor, with help from the city administration.
"A cycle path not safe for an 8 year old is not a proper cylce way".

Copenhagen has a 32% cycle rate, set to increase to 40%. Planning was well funded and organised. See a personal report.

" In Groningen, the Netherlands' sixth largest city, the main form of transport is the bicycle. Sixteen years ago, ruinous traffic congestion led city planners to dig up city-centre motorways. Last year they set about creating a car-free city centre. Now Groningen, with a population of 170,000, has the highest level of bicycle usage in the West. 57% of its inhabitants travel by bicycle - compared with four per cent in the UK. '57% of its inhabitants travel by bicycle - compared with four per cent in the UK' ."  (Global Ideas Bank).

Havana partly from necessity has continued its cycling culture. There are much lower obesity  and diabetes rates compared to neighbouring countries.

"In Germany, the university town of Freiburg invested heavily in its cycle routes throughout the 1980s, spending roughly £6 per citizen a year compared with the current British local authority average of £1 per head. The share of trips made by bike rose from 15% to 26%, and car use fell accordingly". (Guardian..See).

Hull has made a massive effort to slow down traffic, increase road safety and cycling, and reduce social exclusion. The results have been impressive. (photo CTC)

London has doubled its cycling rates with a cycle network, and congestion charging, and an efficient public transport system. (photo LCN)

Paris has a long history associated with cycling, and is set to make it much more popular. (It is also the home of city roller blading).  The city may soon be called the city of  'bicycles'.

Portsmouth has recently implemented 20mph across the entire town.