Shimanami Kaido and CNN’s 7 Best Bike Routes in the World (2014)

2026/2/6

In 2014, the Shimanami Kaido was selected for CNN’s “Seven Best Bike Routes in the World.” Among many demanding routes stretching thousands of kilometers, why was this gentle island route chosen? From the perspective of someone who lives here, I revisit how the author, Peter Walker, valued the joy of riding at a relaxed pace on the Shimanami Kaido.

The CNN article published in 2014

Today, the Shimanami Kaido is bustling with travelers from around the world. One of the major turning points often cited is an article published by CNN in 2014 titled “7 best bike routes in the world.”

Being introduced as one of the world’s best cycling routes by British journalist Peter Walker marked a major turning point, drawing the attention of both Japanese and international media to the Shimanami Kaido. I strongly feel that this article had an immeasurable impact on the sharp increase in overseas visitors that followed.

In this article, I would like to take a closer look at how the Shimanami Kaido was described in the original CNN feature, and what kind of routes the other six selections actually were. By revisiting the perspective of the article at the time, I hope we can rediscover the appeal of this route together.

The other six routes selected alongside the Shimanami Kaido

Route Name	Country / Region	Key Features
Friendship Highway	China (Tibet to Nepal)	A route that crosses mountain passes over 5,000 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest cycling routes in the world.
La Ruta de los Conquistadores	Costa Rica	An extremely demanding off-road route through jungles, mud, and volcanic terrain, with climbs of up to 3,000 meters in a single day.
North Sea Cycle Route (NSCR)	Europe	The world’s longest signposted cycling route, stretching approximately 6,000 km across eight countries.
Great Divide	North America	A 4,400 km route running from Canada to New Mexico, where encounters with grizzly bears or mountain lions are possible.
Munda Biddi Trail	Australia	A nearly 1,000 km off-road trail winding through forested areas of Western Australia.
South Downs Way	United Kingdom	Relatively short at 160 km, but featuring classic British rolling terrain with a total elevation gain of around 4,300 meters.

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How the Shimanami Kaido was portrayed in the article

A sightseeing route suitable even for families with children

While the other routes among the seven were described as epic adventures stretching thousands of kilometers and suited for highly experienced cyclists, the Shimanami Kaido was introduced as “the only route among the seven that families with children could realistically consider riding in its entirety.” In a country often associated with car-centric travel, the article praised the Shimanami Kaido as a place where bicycles and cars coexist safely, highlighting its exceptional level of cycling safety.

The article also specifically mentions the access ramps leading up to the bridges. Designed for cyclists, these long and gently sloping ramps were described as “leg-friendly.” It further depicts how many riders choose not to rush through the route in a single day, but instead take their time to enjoy the beautiful island-dotted scenery of the Seto Inland Sea.

Peter Walker defined the Shimanami Kaido as “a place not for gritting your teeth and pushing hard, but for traveling at a calm and unhurried pace.” I feel that the way this article framed the route—as a sightseeing-focused cycling experience rather than a competitive or adventure-driven one—set the tone for how the Shimanami Kaido would later be portrayed by international media.

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The other routes: harsh and dramatic by comparison

A lineup dominated by extreme challenges

While the Shimanami Kaido was uniquely described as a route that families could enjoy together, the other routes listed alongside it were, without exception, harsh and dramatic in nature. Many were designed for long-distance touring or adventure cyclists, offering severe and awe-inspiring environments that are difficult to imagine from a Japanese perspective.

Take, for example, the Friendship Highway, which runs from Tibet in China to Nepal. It is one of the highest cycling routes in the world, requiring riders to cross mountain passes at elevations exceeding 5,000 meters. In the original article, it is described as “lung-searing,” a phrase that vividly conveys just how severely this route pushes the limits of the human body.

Another striking example is the Great Divide, which follows the Continental Divide of North America. Stretching an almost unimaginable 4,400 km, this route runs through vast and remote wilderness. Riders are advised to carry bear spray in preparation for encounters with grizzly bears or mountain lions—an experience that is adventure cycling in its purest form.

La Ruta de los Conquistadores, which crosses Costa Rica, is even more extreme. Cyclists pass through jungles, muddy tracks, and active volcanic areas, and in just three days the total elevation gain can reportedly reach as much as 8,000 meters.

Against this backdrop of routes where grinding hardship is taken for granted, the inclusion of the Shimanami Kaido feels especially meaningful. To me, it seems the article wanted to show that the appeal of cycling is not limited to extreme challenges, but also includes lighter, more accessible ways of enjoying a journey—adding a different dimension to the list as a whole.

What makes the Shimanami Kaido feel special

Cycling can mean many different things: from the brutal challenge of climbing mountain passes at 5,000 meters above sea level, to gently rolling along while feeling the breeze of the Seto Inland Sea. One particularly memorable line came from the description of a route in the UK, which noted that “pedaling furiously can make you lose sight of the very goal of enjoying the scenery.” It’s easy to relate—we often catch ourselves thinking, “I have to finish,” or “I have to ride faster.”

In countries where cycling culture is already deeply rooted and well established, cycling routes tend to be developed with strong infrastructure in mind—wide-area route networks and fully separated bike lanes, for example. By contrast, perhaps reflecting Japan’s reputation for hospitality and attention to experience, sightseeing-oriented cycling routes like the Shimanami Kaido may stand out for the richness of their “soft” support rather than just their physical infrastructure.

Precisely because cycling culture has not been fully established nationwide, there is also a stronger focus on welcoming beginners and general travelers—not just experienced riders. Thoughtful hospitality, well-organized support systems, and a high level of usability may be part of what gives the Shimanami Kaido its distinctive character. From the perspective of overseas cyclists, these qualities may well be what make Japan’s most iconic cycling route feel truly special.

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About the author, Peter Walker

Peter Walker, the author of CNN’s article “7 best bike routes in the world,” is known as a political correspondent for the UK’s leading newspaper The Guardian, as well as a journalist with deep knowledge of cycling culture.

In 2009, he launched the “Bike Blog” at The Guardian, where he has written about cycling not merely as a sport, but as a way to enrich society, improve the environment, and reshape urban life. His books include How Cycling Can Save the World and Bike Nation, in which he explores how bicycles can contribute to health, cities, and the way we live.

As a political reporter, he has covered stories in places such as Iraq and North Korea, gaining firsthand experience from around the world. He has also worked as a bike messenger in cities like London and Sydney, and continues to use a bicycle as part of his daily life. Rather than focusing on competitive cycling, he appears to value how cycling connects with people’s everyday lives and the landscapes they move through.

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The internationalization of the Shimanami Kaido

From 2014, when the CNN article was published, through to around 2019, the Shimanami Kaido experienced a rapid process of internationalization. When I ride here myself, I genuinely see international cyclists everywhere. At rental bike terminals, on the bridges, and at island cafés and accommodations, hearing a mix of different languages from around the world has become an entirely ordinary part of daily life.

It’s common to hear casual remarks like “There are more foreign visitors these days,” or “You see a lot of Western travelers now.” However, I feel that there is surprisingly little discussion about more concrete questions: which countries people are coming from, how many visitors there are, and how they are actually experiencing the Shimanami Kaido by bike. On this website, I examine the increase in international visitors and the factors behind it by looking at cycling traffic counts and country-by-country data from the public rental cycle system.

On this page, I introduced CNN’s article “7 Best Bike Routes in the World.” On my website, Shimanami Cycling Tips, I mainly share information about the Shimanami Kaido as a cycling destination that even beginners can enjoy. Once you’ve found a helmet you love, I hope you’ll come and experience cycling on the Shimanami Kaido for yourself. A wonderful cycling road and the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea are waiting for you.