Taking on a new city by cycling can be a cool way to explore neighborhoods with a local as your guide. It’s also nice to get active on your travels in an eco-friendly way. These urban bike tours are a few that I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy on my travels and you might, too!
#1 Biking Boston
Urban AdvenTours offers Boston bike tours that take you to diverse urban areas, ranging from the historic to the serene. I took this cycling tour while visiting a good friend. I wanted something to do while she was at work and signed up for a tour at their historic North End shop and was on my way. You can take a guided tour or just rent a bike and cruise on your own.
This is not only a “green” way to travel, but tours vary from a more urban to green vibe. The Emerald Necklace tour takes you to green spaces like the trails of the Arnold Arboretum and the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a Boston public park. The City View Tour takes you to some of the highlights you’d want to see on a trip to Boston, like Copley Square and Fenway Park. Urban AdvenTours was started by a cycling enthusiast. Starting a business out of your passion is something that we can totally get behind! Best of all, this tour is based from Boston’s North End, so make sure to grab a cannoli prior to or after your excursion.
#2 Biking Brussels
In Brussels, not only can you tour the city by cycling, but while biking you can learn about art, history and architecture on unique tours run by Pro Velo. I did the art deco/ art nouveau tour and loved it, but you can choose other tours that take you to parks, pubs or breweries. This is a great way to soak in the diverse architecture of Brussels and have a local show you around. Especially popular in Brussels, around 500 buildings in the Art Nouveau style remain today.
In addition to seeing buildings by Ernest Blerot, we cycled through the posh Ponds of Ixelles neighborhood by the Flagey and to see a townhome built by one of Art Nouveau’s most important pioneers- the Solvay Hotel, built by Victor Horta. Now our tour was all about architecture and history, but if you opt for a tour that is focused on beer, we won’t criticize. It’s another highlight of traveling in Brussels and something to enjoy, especially after an urban bike tour.
#3 Biking Munich
Mike’s Bikes has been around in Munich for many years… actually since 1995! I know, as I took this tour many years ago and still remember it as one of the highlights of my trip to Germany. Who doesn’t love a bike tour that includes a stop at a beer garden! A unique way to explore Munich, these bike tours take you to classic Munich sites with fun commentary and information along the route. You definitely learn as you peddle. History buffs may enjoy the Third-Reich Tour. The company was founded by a guy named Mike from Long Island and if you go to Amsterdam, you can take a Mike’s Bikes Tour there, too.
#4 Biking Hong Kong
Hong Kong is definitely not a city we thought would have a cycling tour, but there is truly a bit of everything in Hong Kong. Away from the skyscrapers in the suburbs, you can opt for a cycling tour with Mountain Biking Asia through the New Territories. This is where many Hong Kong residents live, approximately half of the population of Hong Kong. A walled city, Hong Kong greenery, intriguing temples and historic sites are just some of what you’ll cycle by on a hybrid bicycle.
On our tour, we biked to Nam Sheng Wai , which is where avid cyclists from Hong Kong like to exercise. It’s also a popular spot for wedding photographers and those seeking to take in Hong Kong greenery. While many walled cities have been turned into tourist attractions, on this biking adventure, you can visit a walled city where locals truly live- the Kam Tin Walled City. This adventure in general is non-touristy, including the final stop where we enjoyed dim sum with the locals. Wherever you trek on your next adventure, enjoy the ride!
