The 5 Best Places to See On a Bicycle

Author: Alison Kroulek

"I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride it where I like." Queen, Bicycle Race

Most people prefer to travel by car or by train, but if you're a bicycle enthusiast, nothing beats seeing the world from the back of a bike. Although it's admittedly slower, there are several advantages to this method of transportation when you visit another country. In fact, being forced to travel more slowly is actually one of the advantages, since it gives you a chance to breathe, take in the scenery and meet the locals. Plus, relying on a bike to get around means you can indulge in foreign delicacies without having to worry about buying a new, larger wardrobe when you return.

However, not every corner of the globe is equally suited to this mode of travel. Here are 5 of the best bicycle-friendly destinations:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is considered to be the "bike capital of the world," so Americans used to a culture that it makes it difficult for bicyclists will find Amsterdam to be a refreshing change. In fact, on any given day, 40% of the vehicles on the road in the city are bicycles. Amsterdam's well-developed infrastructure makes it easy to find a safe place to park your bike as well as to incorporate both bicycles and public transportation into your route.

Trondheim, Norway

In Trondheim, bicyclists have had one less steep hill to worry about since 1993. That's when the Trampe, or bicycle lift, was installed to pull bicyclists and their bicycles up a particularly monstrous climb. To use it, you'll need to rent a key card, though as a tourist you'll be reimbursed.

Barcelona

For the past decade, Barcelona's government has been working to make their city as bike-friendly as possible. The latest effort? A community bicycle service that allows city residents to rent one of 6000 bicycles stationed around the city and drop it off at another station. Unfortunately, tourists are not allowed to use this system, but the prevalence of bikes around the city means that it's easy to get around and to find parking spots.

Carretera Austral, Chile

This epic bike path takes you through Chile's rugged, unspoiled Patagonia region. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're willing to venture out with your camping gear, the scenery is definitely worth it.

Danube Cycle Path

Follow the Danube River from its source all the way to the Black Sea on this epic bike trail that passes through Germany, Austria and Hungary. This route is paved and well-marked, and there are plenty of places to stay along the way.

Ready to take off? Not so fast- if you want to see the world by bicycle, you'll need strong calves and a valid passport. Apply early-passport applications take about six weeks to go through, though if you pay a $60 expedite fee you can get them in as little as three weeks. For faster processing, you can make an appointment on one of the Department of State's 24 emergency passport offices or use a private company like RushMyPassport.

Article Source: http://alisonkroulek.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/the-5-best-places-to-see-on-a-bicycle-5207973.html

About the Author

Alison Kroulek is a freelance writer and blogger with a focus on the travel industry.

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