Christchurch ranked most bicycle-friendly city in Asia and Oceania

Christchurch has been named the most bicycle-friendly city in Asia and Oceania and 38th globally in an international ranking index.

The Copenhagenize Index is published every two years, providing an evidence-based benchmark that tracks how cities around the world are progressing in making cycling safe, convenient and mainstream.

target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" title="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/wellington/">Wellington came third in the Asia and Oceania category, closely behind Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.

Fukuoka, a city that sits on the northern shore of Japan’s Kyushu Island, ranked fourth, and Seoul, the capital of South Korea, fifth.

Christchurch City Council planning and delivery transport manager Jacob Bradbury said the ranking was a “great result”.

“We are pleased to see that the investment made in building cycleways and education in recent years is paying off.

“This is also reflected in the statistics from our ongoing resident surveys, which show cycle use across the city has increased by more than 40% over the past eight years.

“Data also shows that a growing number of residents view Christchurch as a bicycle-friendly city. Ten years ago, 38% of people surveyed held this view, compared with 67% in 2025.

“We’ve also seen a strong increase in female cycling participation city-wide, rising from 33% of all inner-city cycling eight years ago to 41% in 2025.”

These results align with findings from the national Quality of Life 2024 survey, which ranked Christchurch highest among New Zealand’s eight main cities for perceptions of safety on its local bike network.

Bradbury said the city’s cycle education programmes play an important role in encouraging young people to see Christchurch as bicycle-friendly.

“Christchurch’s Cycle Safe Programme, which teaches cycle skills in schools, is considered one of the best in the country and is used as a leading delivery model.

“Students learn the benefits of cycling and how to ride confidently and safely on the road.”

He said the council would continue investing in the Major Cycleway network, with further work scheduled to begin in early 2026.

“This investment will help cycling participation continue to grow, cementing Christchurch’s place as a bicycle-friendly city locally, nationally and internationally.”