Copenhagenize Index 2025 – EIT Urban Mobility Edition reveals the most bicycle-friendly cities

The unique Copenhagenize Index 2025 presents 100 cities around the world that are transforming their streets to make cycling a primary mobility solution.

The Copenhagenize Index – in its EIT Urban Mobility Edition, an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union – is packed with new data and stories from the world of cycling. A masterclass focused on insights from the index will take place on November 25.

Six years after the last edition of the bicycle-friendly cities ranking, and following a pandemic that reshaped our daily mobility habits, new questions have emerged: which cities around the world are truly investing in transforming their streets for cyclists? And which are falling behind? The answers are provided by the Copenhagenize Index 2025 – EIT Urban Mobility Edition. Out of 150 pre-selected cities, 100 cities from 44 countries were evaluated, making this ranking a unique global benchmark that includes urban centers from all continents.

A tool for climate protection

The Copenhagenize Index 2025 highlights the global maturity of cycling policy. Cycling is no longer seen as a marginal mobility issue, but as a cross-cutting tool for climate protection, public health support, and improving quality of life. Across continents, there is a shift from pilot projects to structured, long-term programs embedded in broader resilience and sustainable mobility plans.

At the same time, a significant gap remains between ambition and implementation. Stable funding, political continuity, and technical capacity are proving to be key factors distinguishing top-performing cities from those in the middle of the ranking.

Bicycles are everywhere in Copenhagen

Global insights from the Top 100 ranking

This international ranking includes cities from all continents, representing diverse urban forms, climates, and economies. Climate alone does not determine whether a city can become bicycle-friendly. From the hot and humid conditions of Singapore and Dubai to the cold, snowy winters of Helsinki, Québec City, or Minneapolis—all of these places have rightfully earned their spot in the ranking. They demonstrate that cycling can thrive anywhere and that the bicycle has become a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

Beyond climate or topography, the strongest predictor of cycling success is long-term investment supported by effective cross-sector governance. Cities that take a systemic approach—integrating infrastructure, communication, and monitoring—consistently achieve higher and more sustainable results.

Changing mobility and urban quality of life

While traditionally cycling-friendly cities have been investing for decades, many of today’s top-ranked cities reached their position through a major political shift: moving from isolated initiatives to making cycling a central pillar of urban development. By embracing the full potential of cycling, these cities are transforming both mobility and quality of life, adapting infrastructure to real user needs, and enabling everyday cycling for people of all ages and social backgrounds.

European cities dominate the ranking for several reasons, including strong political commitment—often driven and supported by local residents—to invest in ecological transformation. However, progress is uneven. Some cities once celebrated as cycling pioneers, particularly in Europe and the Americas, have slowed their investments or reduced their ambitions and are no longer among the leaders.

Similarly, in parts of the Global South, the number of cyclists is declining on streets that were once full of bicycles, as economic development and motorization increase. Everyday cycling faces a paradox: rising incomes and motorization reduce bicycle use just as governments begin investing in cycling infrastructure. This highlights the importance of presenting cycling not as a necessity, but as an attractive, efficient, and modern transport choice.

These shifts also underscore the ongoing need for high-quality data collection and for strengthening the capacity of local governments to reverse declines and support further cycling development.

Amsterdam is a traditional stronghold of cycling

Global insights from the Top 30 ranking

Reaching the Top 30 means more than just having a large amount of infrastructure – it signals a strong alignment between policy vision, design quality, and everyday use. These cities have normalized cycling as a practical, year-round mode of transport that is not just an alternative form of mobility, but also a social norm.

Top performers:

Utrecht, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam remain at the top, now joined by Ghent.

Rising major cities:

Paris and Helsinki have significantly accelerated their efforts and are approaching global leaders. They must now demonstrate their ability to remain bicycle-friendly in the long term.

Just behind them:

Antwerp, Münster, Bordeaux, The Hague, Strasbourg, and Montreal are closing the gap thanks to steady investments across all key aspects of cycling policy.

Back at the top:

Nantes returns to the ranking after being absent in the previous edition.

Newcomers worth noting:

Quebec City, Lyon, Bern, Graz, Bologna, Stockholm, Vitoria-Gasteiz, and Wrocław enter the index for the first time, signaling strong momentum for cycling transformation.

What distinguishes the Top 30

Most of the highest-ranked cities share one key strength: clear progress in design standards – from wider cycle lanes and effective separation from motor traffic to the transformation of urban corridors into fully cycling-oriented streets where demand justifies it. Such infrastructure directly increases the number of people choosing cycling. It shows that streets do not have to prioritize cars – if designed for everyone, the benefits extend to the entire city.

Still, there is room for improvement. Intersections often remain the weakest link, and some infrastructure types, such as two-way cycle tracks, are sometimes applied in contexts where they are not the most effective.

Leading cities also excel in intermodality, connecting bicycles with public transport. This includes secure bike parking, bike-sharing systems, and integration of shared mobility with public transport cards.

From an institutional perspective, these cities stand out for their ability to turn political will into results. Dedicated cycling departments, stable funding, and robust monitoring systems allow them to move from plans to measurable outcomes. They demonstrate a culture of evaluation and iteration – continuously refining design based on user feedback and data rather than fixed master plans.

Key message

Ultimately, the Copenhagenize Index 2025 edition is more than a ranking – it is a snapshot of how cities are redefining mobility and reclaiming public space. It shows that investing in cycling is not just about transport, but about shaping healthier, more resilient, and more equitable cities.

Marc Rozendal, CEO of EIT Urban Mobility:

“Beyond serving as a global ranking, this edition makes the Copenhagenize Index 2025 – EIT Urban Mobility Edition a learning tool that provides public authorities and urban mobility experts with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to improve cycling policy and infrastructure.”

Clotilde Imbert, CEO of Copenhagenize:

“The Copenhagenize Index 2025 – EIT Urban Mobility Edition reveals the global maturity of cycling policy. Cycling is no longer seen as a marginal mobility issue, but as a cross-cutting tool for climate protection, public health, and quality of life.”

Key figures

Safe and connected infrastructure pillar

Copenhagen has the highest density of cycling infrastructure in the world: 52 km of protected bike lanes per 100 km of roads.
Top 3 cities for secure bike parking: Utrecht (89 spaces per 1,000 residents), Osaka (78), Ghent (68).
Thanks to widely implemented 30 km/h speed limits, French cities provide some of the calmest and most comfortable streets for pedestrians and cyclists: Bordeaux (89%), Nantes (88%), and Paris (87%) of the street network.

Usage and accessibility pillar

Paris recorded the highest cycling growth: a +6.2 percentage point increase in cycling modal share between 2019–2024, one of the strongest post-COVID increases globally.
Out of 100 cities, 10 reach a cycling share of 25% or more – all in Europe – confirming cycling as a mainstream transport mode.
Among Top 30 cities, 19 report a cycling gender balance of 45% women or more – all in Europe – reflecting strong safety perception and inclusivity in everyday cycling.

Policy and support pillar

Higher per-capita spending correlates with better performance: Utrecht (€64 per capita, 1st place), Ghent (€33 per capita, 3rd place).
All Top 30 cities have an approved cycling master plan (or Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan with a cycling chapter) and a dedicated team within city administration.
Of the 100 cities assessed, 91 have an approved cycling master plan (or SUMP), but only 72 have published design manuals aligned with best practices.

You can download the full index here.

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