Biking in Europe

One thing i can say about europe, there are a very bike friendly. Bike paths are everywhere, especially in their cities. Find any lake or river and your sure to enjoy a scenic bike ride there. European bikes may not be the high tech things we see...the majority of them are "working" bikes. These bikes were 7 to 21 speeds, with fenders, generator light, basket and of couse, a "ring ring" bell.

Bike paths abound along the Main (river) in Frankfurt, Germany. The bridge in the background is for bicycle and pedestrian use only.

In the Black Forest near "der Wasserfall".

In Switzerland on the Bodensee, a large lake. Scenic bike paths are all around the lake.

The bike path along the river sure seemed relaxing after coming down from a 12 km non stop hill climb into the Italian Alps.

A typical city sidewalk in Germany. The red lane is for bikes, the grey area for pedestrians. There were mini traffic signal lights, just for bikes.

Many city areas were closed to vehicle traffic..

Biking, the best way to see a city...Berlin.

My Lonely Planet Guide said I could rent a bike at the train station in Frankfurt. They were wrong. I couldn't find the other rentals they mentioned. However Susanne (pictured with puppies) and her husband have a bike shop, Hex Hex Farader at 156 Gutleutstrasse in Frankfurt. Their $20 a week rental mtb made my European trip an excellent one. Thanks to the Gentzlers.