New in Prague? 8 tips to start cycling

Prague was never conceived to be a biking city. And when it started growing, cars took priority over other means of transport. Through the years, thanks to popular demand, infrastructure has been made, as biking itself has become more and more prominent, although there is still room for improvement. How to start cycling when you just moved in?

1. People are interested in the practical side of biking, but also because it is a way of helping the environment, health, and connecting with others. Nevertheless, it can be intimidating to start biking in a new city you may not know well yet. Even if you know Prague’s streets by heart, here are 7 tips to make cycling easier for you!

2. Follow the yellow path! The cycling system in Prague goes from route A1 to A499. These routes are signaled by yellow signs and arrows. They are usually marked on cycle paths. Also, if you do not feel like riding anymore, know that bicycles can be transported free of charge on the metro, ferries, and Petrin funicular, as well as some tram routes.

3. Start easy. You cannot put the cart before the horse, especially in Prague.

4. That’s why we recommend you to follow the river and the routes that go along it. One of them is A2 from Rudolfinum to Klecany or Říčany, or you can pick up a shared bike in Anděl and follow the A1 route, from Anděl to Radotín Biotop.

5. Go to work by bike. Join the Bike to Work challenge, in which, for one month, you will go and come back from work using sustainable transport. The bike is a great option to do this, as it does not only benefit the planet, but also your health and your quality of life. You can also go with your new colleagues and bond biking together. Join the call now to participate!

Prague Critical Mass Ride 2021. Photo: Jan Hromádko

5. Participate in the Prague Critical Mass Ride. You can discover the city from a different perspective and in a safe way by joining hundreds of cyclists that hit the roads of Prague, which will be closed for cars, even the biggest road in Prague.  It is a way of celebrating the bike and also reclaiming the space it deserves in our city´s mobility; an event organized by AutoMat and the UN Information Center Prague. This year’s event (on Sunday, 5th of July)  will be accompanied by a family-friendly afternoon program in Kasárna Karlín. Do not miss it and confirm your participation!

6. Know the traffic rules. It is possible to cycle in Prague if you take into account the various ways of transportation and obstacles you may encounter. To make it easier, we created the cycling etiquette, in which we share 10 tips for you to ride safely around Prague and enjoy it!

7. Sharing is caring. You may not have a bike in Prague yet or maybe you do not have the space for it, but that does not mean you should give up on riding one. Bike Sharing is possible in Prague, using the main rental services. One of them is Nextbike, which started in 2020, especially in the city center. If you have  Lítačka for city transport (you should) you can get 15 minutes free on your ride. If you have a smartphone and internet connection, there is no excuse for you to try bike sharing out!

8. Prague is not all there is. If you need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you can always make a trip by bike and not only enjoy your destination, but also the journey. There are beautiful rides that lead to different destinations to discover like the Okoř Castle or The Veltrusy Chateau. If you feel adventurous and want to go international, there are the classical routes, for example, the one to Vienna or the one to Dresden. Whether alone or in the company, the experience is worth it.

We hope these tips help you get more comfortable with biking in Prague and Czech Republic. You can find more useful information in English here.

AutoMat has been working for a more user-friendly infrastructure and urban sustainable mobility for more than 20 years, as well as organizing campaigns and activities and working with other organizations to make Prague and the Czech Republic safer for cyclists, taking into account the needs of all citizens. You can join us and start cycling with the Bike to Work Challenge!