What the Mediterranean is to the South of Europe, the Baltic is to the North, with Gdansk as the main port city of the Southern Baltic. This strategic location has long made Gdansk a hub for European relationships and networks, a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages when the city was a vital member of the Hanseatic League. Today, the city stands as a truly sustainable cycling hub, linking the more advanced cycling countries of Northern Europe with the emerging cycling societies of Central and Eastern Europe. Gdansk is home to about 500,000 inhabitants and forms the metropolitan area Tricity together with Gdynia and Sopot with around 1,235,000 inhabitants.
Beyond its significance as a seaport, Gdansk has been the centre of cultural and political movements. The Solidarity Movement, led by Lech Wałęsa, was founded here and played a crucial role in ending communist rule in Poland, paving the way for a democratic Europe. This spirit of resilience and the quest for freedom are deeply embedded in Gdansk's DNA.
By walking and cycling, people meet in public spaces. In this way, cycling becomes a powerful tool for promoting social connections and relationships, which can be considered a fundamental purpose of cities.
That is why we focus on gentle conviviality. Gentle? We have always been bold by being gentle: Nec temere nec timide (eng: neither rashly nor fearfully) is the key slogan on the city's coat of arms. It reflects our legacy of the Hanseatic League and Solidarity Movement. Nowadays, this legacy drives our commitment to a just transformation needed to overcome the current crises. Cycling policy is essential to achieve a gentle revolution towards sustainable mobility for all.
The city of Gdansk actively started to promote cycling and other active mobility modes since the beginning of the economic and social system transition in 1989. The construction of a collision-free cycling and walking route along the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk immediately attracted hundreds of recreational cyclists. Today, Gdansk's commitment to sustainable mobility is evident in its extensive cycling infrastructure. The city boasts 851.2 kilometers of cycling friendly infrastructure, including:
Gdansk continuously monitors cycling traffic with automatic counters, providing real-time data to enhance infrastructure planning. The city is recognised globally for its significant progress in cycling activity and serves as a perfect example of a starter cycling city.
Data from 12 bicycle counters located across Gdansk showed a cumulative increase in bicycle traffic of 52% from 2017 to 2023. The counter on the most popular route recorded nearly 482,000 rides in 2017 and almost 948,000 rides in 2023, representing a 197% increase. Walking, cycling, and public transport together account for 59% of total trips, and this share is expected to rise to 65% by 2030.
The city is also a key junction for EuroVelo routes, making it an essential hub for international cycling adventures. Gdansk intersects with three major EuroVelo routes: EV9 (the Baltic-Adriatic route), EV10 (the Baltic Sea Cycle Route), and EV13 (the Iron Curtain Trail). These routes offer diverse and enriching cycling experiences, connecting Gdansk with the heart of Europe and beyond.
Located on the western side of the estuary of the Vistula River, Gdansk is home to nearly half a million residents and is one of Poland's most internationally recognised cities. Its unique setting at the border of the Gdansk Uplands features the flat coastal plains on one side and the forested moraine hills of the Tri-city Landscape Park on the other.
With a history spanning over a thousand years, Gdansk is where tradition meets modernity. Must-see attractions range from one of the world's largest brick church, a marvel of medieval Europe, to the Amber Museum, showcasing Gdansk's well-deserved title as the World Capital of Amber. You don't want to miss out on this selection of top sights when strolling around the Old and Main Town area:
Outside the historical city centre, you may also choose to visit the zoological garden located on the verge of the Tricity Landscape Park or take a boat trip to visit the Wisłoujście fortress or Westerplatte peninsula, where the first shots of the Second World War were fired in 1939.