Infrastructure
Let’s start with the obvious one – the infrastructure. European cities are ancient compared to American ones, e.g., I live in a town that has been continuously inhabited for the last nine thousand years. What that means is that our cities are built differently. They are much more compact, with smaller streets and often a historical centre, which is usually not particularly car friendly and streets are often shared among pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and public transport.
Outside the city centre, there are dedicated bike paths, and in many countries, a vast network of cycling paths connects neighbouring cities. In cities like Copenhagen, there are “bike highways” – long, uninterrupted paths connecting suburban areas to the city centre.
Furthermore, even the traffic lights in many European cities are set to go green based on the average speeds of cyclists rather than cars. In most European cities, bike lanes are not just painted on the street. They are physically separated from cars, often elevated and marked in different colours.
But cycling in Europe goes far beyond. There are numerous bike routes that span the entire continent. You can literally go through several countries on your bike without a hassle. There is cycling-friendly housing, cafes and all the associated infrastructure for a nice long ride.
In contrast, most American cities lack this type of integrated infrastructure. While some cities like Portland, Minneapolis, and New York have made strides toward creating bike-friendly streets, many areas in the U.S. still view bikes as an afterthought. Most bike lanes in the U.S. are painted onto existing streets, meaning cyclists often share space with fast-moving traffic.
American bike lanes are also frequently interrupted by parked cars, driveways or intersections, which can make them feel disjointed or unsafe. There are only a few long-distance cycling paths. They are less about connecting different cities and more about recreational cycling.
That’s actually mostly because of the culture.
The culture
Cycling culture is vastly different on both sides of the Atlantic. In Europe, cycling is part of life. Actually, cycling in the US sounds a bit pretentious, considering that most people are just going to the office or the grocery store with their bikes. Most often, this is qualified as riding your bike.
Well, in Europe, cycling is a legitimate means of transportation, whether you are going to the office, the store or to pick up your kids from daycare. There are even cargo bikes to transport heavy objects. It’s quite normal to see people dressed up to the nines, going to the theatre or the opera with their bikes.
In contrast, the US sees cycling as a recreational sport. It’s about losing weight, not about getting from point A to point B. Sure, there are some cities where commuting to work is gaining some traction but those who do are still looked at as if there’s something wrong with them or if they are hipsters.
Moreover, cycling in the US is most often associated with sports clothing, like helmets, Lycra, specialised shoes, and other gear. In other words, cycling is less of a culture and more of a subculture in the US. There is no widely spread social understanding that cycling is part of one’s daily routine.
The bikes
Then there are the bikes. Most bikes in Europe are durable city bikes with built-in fenders, baskets, and racks for groceries or children. E-bikes are also increasingly popular in Europe but only where they can be locked in a secure place. They offer an easy way to cover long distances with less effort.
Those who are into the sport usually have two bikes – one for the commute and one for recreational purposes. The former is often one step away from going for scrap. Indeed, most bikes in Europe are quite literally junk on wheels. Still, as long as it takes you from A to B, that’s hardly a concern. The recreational bikes, on the other hand, are top notch, well maintained, and used only on weekends. For many avid cyclists in Europe, the bike is their most expensive possession.
In the US, cyclists often opt for performance-oriented bikes. You’ll see more road bikes and mountain bikes in the U.S., even in urban settings. It’s not uncommon to see cyclists commuting on high-end, lightweight bikes designed for speed.
Consequently, this leads to far more bike theft in the US compared to Europe.
Thief culture
If you’ve ever parked your bike outside a café in Europe, you probably know the creeping anxiety of wondering whether it’ll still be there when you come back. Bike theft is not just a crime in Europe – it’s practically a rite of passage. You’re not really a European cyclist until your trusty two-wheeled steed has been swiped at least once.
In cities like Amsterdam where there are more bikes than people, bike theft is as common as the rain. And the rain there is very common. More than 500,000 bikes get stolen each year in the Netherlands alone. That’s like the Bermuda Triangle for bikes. You blink and your bike is gone.
Of course, that’s one of the main reasons why Europeans prefer clunkers for their commute. If they get stolen, you can just buy a new one for as little as 150 euros.
And, of course, there is the ultimate anti-theft strategy – parking next to a nicer bike. The thief will go for the one that will bring them the best price, so yours won’t be so tempting. This is next-level survival of the fittest. It’s like throwing your slower friend to a hungry bear. Of course, this method relies on there actually being a nicer bike nearby. If yours is the fanciest in the lineup, well… Better start browsing for a replacement now.
The US is not far behind on this trend. However, bike thieves there are far more selective. They won’t risk getting caught stealing just any old clunker. Nah, they have standards. They are looking for sleek models that can fetch them a hefty price on the black market. Of course, with the average bike in the US being much more costly, this means that the damage is greater. On average, the stolen bike in the US costs $724. With 2 million bikes stolen each year, you can see how this can be a lucrative niche for thieves.
In practice, every 30 seconds, a bike gets stolen in the US. Unfortunately, only 5% of stolen bikes go back to their owner. Compared to Europe, about 10% of the bikes get recovered. It’s not great but it’s still better. The European results are mostly better because the governments care about cycling and cyclists.
Government initiatives
Being a bike-friendly political party in Europe is a people-pleaser. I mean, in most of Europe. Some post-Soviet states are still a bit backwards in this regard. Honestly, if European countries were people, they’d be the kind of person who hands you a bike on your birthday with a wink and says, “Go save the planet.” These governments are practically rolling out the red carpet for cyclists.
Many European officials use bikes to get to their offices, so they invest heavily in infrastructure like bike roads, signs, bike parking, and everything in between. Some countries even offer tax incentives for cyclists, while others are investing in transforming public spaces into pedestrian and cycling areas.
In contrast, the US is far behind, especially on a federal level. The U.S. does have programs like Safe Routes to School, which is supposed to make biking for kids safer. It sounds great in theory but it’s kind of like wrapping a bandage around a broken leg. You’ve got a bike lane near the school but the moment you’re out of that zone, you’re back to playing Frogger with your life. Some cities, like New York, have taken cues from Copenhagen and invested in protected bike lanes but for every block of safe cycling, there’s another 10 miles of dodge-the-pothole and pray.
Yeah, it’s not the best experience to be a regular cyclist in the US. That’s why most YouTubers are actually mountain bikers there. That’s the fundamental societal difference in how bikes are perceived in Europe and America.
The society
In Europe, cycling is part of daily life. It doesn’t matter if it’s sunny, rainy, snowy or if there is a tsunami. People cycle to work, to the grocery store, and practically anywhere else they need to go. There is no strict demographic of cyclists. It’s for everyone – from the toddler who follows their mom to the daycare centre to the retiree who’s going to the market to get some fruit.
Moreover, the entire society is involved. They expect and understand the culture. They are part of it.
In the US, things are far different. Cyclists are still perceived as some sort of aliens (thankfully, not the ones blamed for eating house pets). Cycling there is still a niche hobby, far more popular with the urban population and young adults. Many would argue that constructing a bike lane is leftist eco-terrorism, especially in the more rural states. In suburban and rural areas, bikes are still viewed more as recreational tools or fitness equipment than as legitimate modes of transportation.
Cycling cultures are different but still, it’s awesome
Indeed, cycling cultures on both sides of the Atlantic are shaped by many factors, like urban architecture, society, and, well, culture. Regardless of which side of the ocean you reside on, cycling will always be a lifestyle. Whether you’re cycling for work or to burn calories, you already know the joy of pedalling and being part of an international society that cares deeply about each other.
