Ghent is a marvellous city for cyclists. Ideas for a visit by bike

Stating that Ghentians have wheels for legs, would not even be that much of an overstatement. People of Ghent really really like bikes. Everybody rides a bike in the city, be it a businesswoman on heels, a package delivery guy or an overly keen toddler. They ride a bike every minute of each day, on every type of journey or terrain, regardless of the weather. They do not flinch for any obstacle - like tram tracks, bridges or steep ascents -, but they are happiest on one of Ghents beautifully laid-out cycling streets. Want to discover Ghent like a local would? Do it on a bicycle, whether it be an old two-wheels, a fancy e-bike, a cargo bike or tricycle.

There are plenty of cycle route junctions in and around Ghent, so don't hesitate to map out a route and get on that bike. You can either follow your intuition and be surprised – it’s beautiful everywhere – or follow a fixed route. One of those routes is the Gentse Fietsen Route: 37 kilometres of cycling fun in the city centre and in a wide loop around the city. You can also choose for a tour through parks and woods or along castles in Ghent.

You don’t even need to drag your own bike along to enjoy a bicycle tour of Ghent. De Fietsambassade offers a wide range of rental bicycles. A cargo bike or a longtail bike, a freight bike or a children’s bike: the offer is very complete. For all your bicycle needs, you can also go to Blue-bike or Donkey Republic.

Would you like to learn something while cruising through the city? Then book a guided bicycle tour, via City Cycling Gent for example. Anything is possible: a tour at night, a graffiti tour or a tour along the typical landmarks. Would you like the experience to be a little more dynamic? Bike Ghent offers guided mountain bike rides in the city.

Watch out, because Ghentians are mad about bicycle racing. Numerous cycling events take place in and around the city, from amateur races in small villages to major events such as Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Even though the Tour of Flanders hasn’t started in Ghent since 1976, Flanders’ Finest still draws a lot of tourists to the city. Let’s not forget about the Six Days of Ghent in ’t Kuipke (Citadelpark Velodrome), as it’s clearly the most important cycling event in our city.

A tough cycling tour goes hand in hand with a well-deserved break. You can have a breather in one of the bicycle-themed concept stores or coffee bars. There is a coffee place where you can buy bicycle helmets and children’s bikes, for example. Furthermore, Ghent is full of outdoor cafés where you can catch your breath.

Are you planning a cycling weekend in Ghent? Then go for a hotel that spoils cyclists with extra’s like a good bicycle shed,  a repair kit, maps and a rental service. You will find several secure bicycle sheds, where you can leave your trusty steel steed without having anything to worry about. Do you wish to come to the city by car, with your bicycle on the bike rack or in the boot? Then leave your car at a park-and-ride site in the outskirts of town and cycle into the city centre at ease.