These Are The Most Commuter-Friendly Cities In The World

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Oh, the woes of commuting… it can either make or break you by the end of the week depending on where you live, the mode of transportation you take, and how much time you spend on it. Certain cities across the globe clearly understand how to efficiently (and pleasantly) hustle to and from the office while others miss the mark entirely. But what exactly makes a city so commuter-friendly?

First, you have to determine what your transportation options are. If you automatically have to rely on your personal car for any and all movement, your location is already not doing so hot. On the other hand, urban spaces that maintain extensive metro railways and bus lines not only get cars off the road, but also get people on their feet. And pedestrian-friendly cities are typically pro-bike culture as well — some even offer their own bike share programs.

When you’re are able to bike or walk to work, you’re doing more than getting a solid bout of exercise. You’re instantly reducing your stress, focusing better on the day ahead of you, and maintaining control over your commute rather than feeling like a victim of rush-hour traffic that inevitably makes you late.

Second, you have to evaluate how much time you spend on average commuting every day. Research shows that the longer the commute, the more damaging it is to your health and overall life satisfaction. Those who spend more time commuting (typically in their own vehicles) risk poor cardiovascular and metabolic health because they remain sedentary for longer periods of time and they experience more time pressure because they feel hurried so much more often.

It’s highly unlikely that pedestrians and bikers would struggle with too-long commutes since they would probably only choose those methods if they’re traveling distances that their bodies can handle. So bike-friendly, walkable cities clearly take the cake when it comes to friendly commuting (especially if you live in them and not just near them).

Want to know which cities across the world play the commuting game best? Keep reading.

Copenhagen, Denmark

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Nearly half of this city’s residents commute to work via bike, and more than a third of Copenhagen residents (including those who live in nearby suburbs) commute with bicycles. It’s hard to beat those statistics.

Hong Kong, China

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According to the Arthur D. Little Urban Mobility Index 2.0, Hong Kong has “the most advanced urban mobility system in the world.” A whopping 38 percent of residents walk or bike as their means of transportation.

Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.

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Almost 17 percent of residents walk or bike to work in Boston, and while that’s lower than most other cities on this list, it’s still the best in the United States.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

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This Dutch capital dominates when it comes to bike friendliness. Alongside Copenhagen, it is consistently ranks at the top of the list.

Stockholm, Sweden

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Stockholm is considered to be the second most mobile city by the Arthur D. Little Urban Mobility Index 2.0. A third of residents use public transportation and more than a third of residents walk or bike in their commuting efforts.

Vienna, Austria

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The Danube cycle path, which is 245 miles long and runs throughout Austria, includes major sections by Vienna’s Stadtpark and Karlskirche, making this city more commuter-friendly than ever before.

Singapore, Singapore

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This city is tiny and packed with people, but it sure is efficient. Half of the population uses public transportation instead of personal cars and a quarter of residents choose to bike or walk to work.

Portland, Oregon, U.S.

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This PNW city has one of the greenest bike-share programs in the world, and it provides free maps and safety information to help visitors navigate the city more easily without adding cars to the mix.

Paris, France

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Paris boasts both an incredible bike-sharing program and plenty of designated bike lanes for commuters to enjoy. It also recently converted a major highway along the Siene riverfront to be completely car-free so bicyclists can ride there instead.

Munich, Germany

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Munich is home to 60 bike paths, which is more than any other German city has to offer. It also has plans to build more than a dozen bicycle “superhighways” to help encourage people to take their two-wheel commuting to further destinations.