Many river cruise ships offer complimentary bicycles for guests to use during their voyages, and in Europe, even obtaining a bicycle once ashore for those traveling on ships that don’t is relatively painless. The task of actually cycling in Europe, however, can be more than daunting to the uninitiated.
We’re avid cyclers here at River Cruise Advisor, and despite what first appearances may suggest, Europe is one of the best places in the world to go for a ride. An interesting side note is that my colleague Ralph Grizzle, who pedaled across the United States and Canada, through New Zealand and Europe, moved to Scandinavia because he wanted to be part of a bike-friendly culture. He still cycles daily, and I pedal often when I am on river cruises. How do you do it? We present our friendly guide to get you rolling.
Don’t Stop
Perhaps the most important rule when cycling in any European city or town is this: Much like driving a car, stopping in the middle of a bicycle lane because you’re not sure where you’re going is a strict no-no. If you need to figure our where you’re going, pull over, like a car, to the absolute shoulder. Extend your right arm out so that people behind you will know you’re planning to turn to your right. If you approach cycling as if you were driving a car, you’ll do great.
To Plan or Not to Plan
Which brings us to our next point: To Plan, or Not To Plan? Sometimes, the most rewarding cycling trip is the one where you don’t plan. Always ensure you have a map, of course, and follow marked bicycle routes, but having a destination isn’t required.
If you do have a specific destination in mind, check with the staff on your river cruise ship first. Or, as I discovered in Rotterdam while cycling to the classic steamship Rotterdam, reading the directional signs intended for cars will get you there. Major tourist attractions will all have signs that can usually be read clearly from the marked bicycle paths. All I had to do was read the signs, and I cycled the six kilometers there without ever needing to take out my map.
Know Your Signs
Speaking of signs, they can be some of the most daunting aspect for cyclists, particularly ones from North America. Signage in Europe is very different from that used in the United States, and knowing where you’re going – and who can go there – plays a huge role in your cycling experience.
Canadians may fair better with some of this, as all distances are measured in kilometers or meters. Quite often, you’ll see signs displaying the names of towns, followed by a number. For example, Hoorn 8 means the town of Hoorn is eight kilometers from your current location. Signs don’t need to include the ‘km’ indicator after the number in Europe because it’s redundant: Every European country operates in kilometers.
When leaving a city or a small town, you may see a white sign with the town’s name on it, accented by a horizontal red slash. This means you’re leaving the town. Likewise, you may see a blue circular bicycle sign with a red slash through it. This doesn’t mean bikes aren’t allowed. It simply means you’re leaving the dedicated bike lane, and will now have to share the road with traffic. A “No Bicycles Allowed” sign gets a little more complicated: Depending on the country you’re in, it will be on a white or yellow background, circled in red, and may or may not have a slash through it.
Cycling Between Towns
Because of the relatively short distances between many European towns along the Danube and the Rhine, it may be possible for you to cycle from one town to another, either as a day trip or to meet your ship. Check on your ship first to determine how far your desired destination is, and always inform the ship and ask permission to rejoin the vessel later at a different port of call.
Most importantly, have fun! Cycling can be a great way to see parts of Europe that are elusive to many cruise passengers.
