Just 11% of planet have bike ways
Even though bike use has a daily increase at world level, results amazing that in spite of the promotion of sustainable transport, and considering from country with less cyclist infrastructure to powers with greater road culture, among them exists a total of 11% of bike ways in the world that are accessible for users.
Meaning that 89% of the planet don’t have bike ways nearby people; in accordance with Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP).
It’s important to highlight that 11% refers to percentage of population living within a 984 ft walking distance of a protected bike way.
The ITDP analysis is just an indicator of bike ways with physical protection to care cyclist. Due that, the number of protected and non-protected bike paths can increase at world level.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t make so much difference due the same analysis of the institute resulted that protected bike lanes are the most developed factor for bicycle use.
By contrast, most of people in accordance with ITDP information, prefers to avoid the use of bikes in streets and bike ways if these don’t have a physical barrier that separates cyclists from vehicles.
In short, while safety of cyclists isn’t guaranteed, will be difficult for citizenship to use bike ways as mean of transport in their daily life.
At this point is important to ask, what are the countries with protected bike ways nearby their population? Let’s find out some of them…
Countries with more bike ways nearby their population
It is not surprising that Europe is positioned in the first places. Not for nothing have a great cyclist culture and the best bike ways of the world.
These are the countries which percentage of population lives to less than 984 ft walking distance of a protected bike lane.
Finland
Surprisingly, the 94% of population on Helsinky/Vantaan live to less than 984 ft of a protected bike way. Due this reason, this Finland area is considered one with most bike ways in the world. it Isn’t weird that their citizens prefer bike to motorized transport to go from one side to another.
In 2024, Helsinki/Vantaan has 1593 miles of bike ways, and 1575 miles are protected.
Denmark
Copenhagen city in Denmark have the second place. The 93% of their population can walk to a bike way to less than 984 ft from where they live. In 2024, this capital has 803 miles of bike ways which 767 are physically protected.
Sweden
With a 3% less than Copenhagen the Stockholm city stands a 90% of their population living nearby a protected bike way. In 2024, this capital has 900 miles of bike ways, and 873 are physically protected.
Latin America and South America, what about them?
Well, Latin America and South America are far to reach the great cyclist powers, and have some countries that try to belong among those with more bike ways in the world. As the following examples:
Colombia
The Bogotá area, Soacha is an example on South America of approaches between people and bikes.
This analysis indicates that 47% of population is nearby a protected bike way. In 2024, has 368 miles of bike paths and 341 of them are protected. This is placed in the 21st position at world level.
Mexico
Even though the result contrast with European cities, Mexico is one of the Latin America countries that most try to create a greater cyclist infrastructure.
Nowadays, is positioned in the 46st place with a 6% of bike ways to less than 984 ft of their citizens. From that number, Leon city is the one with closest bike ways to users with 67 miles of constructed bike ways and 66 miles of them are protected. Then Puebla, Merida, Cancun, Saltillo, Guadalajara and in 6th place Mexico City with 262 miles of exclusive bike lanes and 210 miles of them are protected.
The country with less bike ways in the world
Contrary to Finland, the opposite end is occupied by Philippines with at least the 1% of bike ways to less than 984 ft of their citizens. In this country, the Iloilo territory represents the greater percentage of their total bike paths (2%) with people living nearby them; in 2024, this zone has 9.3 miles of bike ways and 3.1 of them are confined.
We have a long way to go to protect most of bike paths in the world. However, is possible through road devices as confibicis, lane separators, posts and over all, a cyclist culture where everyone, pedestrians, motorists and cyclists can coexist together.
Safe bike paths and connected cities with a great confined bike way net, will help people to use bike as a sustainable mean of transport. After all, a new cyclist at day, represents a further step towards a better world.
