As urban areas face increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions, improve public health and promote sustainable mobility, the role of cycling in city planning has gained attention again. This thesis explores the common enabling factors that have allowed several European cities to successfully transition toward bicycle-friendly urban environments. Through a qualitative comparative case study approach, the research examines four cities. Copenhagen, Utrecht, Brussels and Paris, each of which has made significant strides in promoting cycling as a primary mode of transport.

The analytical framework is based on the hardware, software, orgware model, categorising enabling factors into three dimensions: physical infrastructure (hardware), cultural and educational initiatives (software) and governance and policy frameworks (orgware). The study applies thematic analysis to policy documents, municipal reports, academic literature and sustainability strategies to identify key patterns across the case cities.

Findings reveal that successful cycling transitions are not the result of isolated measures but of integrated, long-term strategies involving political commitment, institutional collaboration, public engagement and adaptive urban design. While local context plays a critical role, all four cities demonstrate that a coordinated combination of infrastructure investment, behaviour change initiatives and strong governance is essential for creating inclusive and resilient cycling systems.

This thesis contributes to the growing body of research on urban sustainability by offering a comparative framework that can inform policy and planning in other cities seeking to enhance bicycle infrastructure as part of a broader sustainable mobility agenda.