Is Riga a safe city for cycling a bike?

We get asked this frequently and understand all of your concerns when it comes to cycling in a new city. So is Riga safe for cycling?

How safe is cycling in Riga?

To be honest Riga has developed into a more cycle friendly city in recent years, with an ever expanding network of bike lanes throughout Riga but does it make Riga safe for cyclists? The cycling culture and driving culture in Riga differ greatly from other more developed European cities where the focus on pedestrian and pedal powered transport means has really taken off. 

Think Copenhagen or Amsterdam, where decades of change in mindset has led to a societal reduction in car usage and a more green minded, human oriented city experience. However this was not always the case and it took these modern cities decades of change and investment to reach the level that we see today. Even London has become ever more cycle minded in recent years. 

Riga is great for cycling but is it safe?

So what about Riga? Can Riga become a safer city for cycling? Well Riga has a very different past to western European cities and the Soviet city planners of the past have shaped much of the foundations for the modern infrastructure. It can be said they have a lot to be blamed for. Tunnels under roads, pedestrians (all though the majority of city users in the past fell into this category) were sidelined in the favour of large geometric layouts, that although grand and monumental lacked that “human connection”.

As such the modern city planners of Riga have inherited a somewhat chaotic system and have essentially implemented a modern infrastructure on top. Cars were prioritized as individual car ownership rose and a whole generation was born into the mindset that bikes are for sport or belong in the countryside. Cycling safety in Riga was not a thing in the 90’s mindset. The car was the new desirable and so a modern era of bad planning began but Riga was not always like this. 

You need to be confident to cycle around Riga

Historically there was a large cycle network built inter war in Latvia’s first independence and Riga was known even before this time at the end of the Russian Empire as one of the regions biggest builders and exporters of bicycles.

Essentially the current bike lane network we see today is squeezed into to what was already there but it is a start for a cleaner, greener Riga and this gets us to the posts original question, Is Riga safe for cycling?

I would love to answer a whole hearted ‘Yes’ but I would rather inform people to take care and be sensible, whilst be aware that drivers may not be as courteous as in other European cities more familier to bikes.

One needs to show caution when cycling around Riga by bike. Drivers may not always indicate turning maneuvers and this can be seen as especially problematic where a bike lane runs along side a car lane that has a right turn. It is always important to think and question, is this car turning across the bike lane? By definition the cyclist passing straight would have the right of way but many drivers still do not see a bike as a legitimate road vehicle. We even have politicians actively damning the bike lane networks in Riga as making life hard for drivers. Riga is safer for cyclists than before but we have a long way to go. 

Our advice when cycling in Riga.

1. Wear a helmet

2. Use reflective clothing

3. Make sure your bike has lights

4. Ensure reflectors mounted rear, front and side of your bike

5. Cycle defensively

6. Use designated bike lanes where possible

7. Assume that all cars may not signal

8. Hand signal and thank drivers where appropriate

9. Stay cool and calm

   
   

Stay safe whilst using a bike in Riga. It is a beautiful city to explore but there is a long way to go to ensure the safety of cyclists in Riga.

Oh and I forgot to mention. You can cycle on the sidewalk here, this causes some confusion amongst visitors. The e-bike delivery guys have also arrived and they hum around the sidewalk alongside e scooters. More legislation against wheel based mobility means is coming into force.

Riga is beautiful to explore on bike but take care!

I foresee a ban on pavement / sidewalk cycling in the near future. At least being a pedestrian will be safe in Riga in the future!