10. Berlin, Germany. Score: 62

Berlin’s attitude towards bicycles catapulted it into the top 10, as the willingness of the population to embrace bike culture is fairly rare – 13 percent of Berliners use bicycles, but as many as 20-25 percent use them in certain neighborhoods. (This is known as the modal share, or the percentage of travelers using a particular type of transportation). Cyclists span all genders and ages, and the infrastructure exists in the city to allow growth to continue – especially given that city leaders have continued to allot funds to encourage even more citizens to take their bikes to the streets.

9. Malmö, Sweden. Score: 63

Malmö recently committed 47 million euros to increase bicycle traffic over the next seven years, and has become infamous for its quirky but effective “No Ridiculous Car Trips” campaigns to communicate with would-be cyclists. Bicycle paths even have names to make them more user-friendly, and a city-wide helmet campaign to promote safety on the roads has been wildly successful.

8. Eindhoven, Netherlands. Score: 66
Eindhoven has all the basics that make a strong bike-friendly city: the modal rate, the infrastructure, the will in government. But where it strides ahead is its visionary Floating Cycle Roundabout, a 70-meter suspended bicycle roundabout that floats over a big traffic junction. Named Hovenring in Dutch, it allows cyclists to enter into Eindhoven safely and without the danger of circling cars. Plus, it lights up at night and looks really cool.

7. Antwerp, Belgium (Tie with No. 6). Score: 72
Coming in at a tie for the No. 6 slot, Antwerp boasts an impressive 16 percent modal share, and biking has become a token issue in political elections. Leading up to the 2012 elections, 100 kilometers of bicycle infrastructure were completed to appease bike advocates who have become increasingly vocal and influential. Antwerp places a focus on extensive bicycle parking and has also developed a well-used bike-sharing program that is thoughtfully distributed around the city, particularly in high-traffic areas.

6. Nantes, France (tie with No. 7). Score: 72
Also tied with No. 7 is Nantes, France, whose shifting political landscape has allowed it to break into the top 10. Politicians have promised 40 million euros to build more than 400 kilometers of bicycle infrastructure by 2014, and its modal share, while still at a fairly low 5 percent, has been on the rise for the past half dozen years. Nantes also offers an extensive bike-share system, along with cheap fares to bring bikes aboard public transportation. The city was chosen as the host for the 2015 Velo-City Bicycle Conference, whatever that is…

5. Bordeaux, France (Tie with No. 4). Score: 76
Another tie comes in for the No. 5 slot, with Bordeaux, France making a strong play. Its bike lanes and cycle tracks are some of the best in Europe, and there are more than 400 kilometers of paths available throughout the region. The city itself has a 10 percent modal share, a marked increase over the past few years, and its VCub bike share system has been incredibly successful since inception. The bike culture in Bordeaux has become mainstream, encouraging everyone to take advantage of bicycle transportation without stigma.

4. Seville, Spain (Tie with No. 5). Score: 76
The other No. 5 spot goes to Seville, Spain, namely for its rapid rise in cyclists since 2006. In just seven years, Seville’s modal share jumped from 0.5 percent to 7 percent. The government added bicycle infrastructure every year, and a broad bike share system has brought even more people into the fold. There has been recent controversy regarding mandatory helmet laws, but regardless, Seville’s cyclist community is strong and continuing to grow.

3. Utretcht, Netherlands. Score: 77
Moving into the top 3, Utretcht in the Netherlands is one of the smaller cities on the list, but still mighty, bike-wise. With a population of less than 640,000, the cyclist community in Utretcht shows no regard for gender, age, occupation, or socioeconomic status. Wide and frequent bike lanes make it easy for commuters to get around, and videos of bicycle rush hour in the city have surfaced, demonstrating the wide commitment to bicycle transport.

2. Copenhagen, Denmark. Score: 81
Unsurprisingly, Copenhagen comes in at No. 2 for the 2013 index, but deservedly so, especially considering its 35 percent modal share. Its bicycle infrastructure reflects a design that has been integrated since early days of planning, and bike-related projects continue to grow, including frequent bike and pedestrian bridges over waterways and highways. You can even borrow a public bike for free, receiving your deposit back upon return. It’s estimated that more than a million kilometers are pedaled every day in Copenhagen.

1. Amsterdam, Netherlands. Score: 83
Regardless of the impressive bike efforts of other cities in the world, Amsterdam stands above the rest with its wide saturation of bicycle traffic inside of an admittedly compact city center. Cars must drive at 30-kilometers per hour or less in many of these areas to keep cyclists safe, and the government is committed to promoting the “bicycle capital of Europe” angle. Forty percent of the city chooses bicycles as their daily mode of transport, and Amsterdam’s No. 1 spot seems pretty secure.