How to Watch Bikes vs Cars on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

Bikes vs Cars (2015), the Swedish documentary directed by Fredrik Gertten, is available on Netflix in Ireland. The film explores traffic congestion, environmental concerns, and the growing conflict between bicycles and cars in major cities. You can find the documentary on the official Netflix Ireland movie page, which lists English original audio and several subtitle options.

However, Bikes vs Cars is not currently available on Netflix US. According to JustWatch, American viewers can stream the documentary through Kanopy instead. Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all offer Irish VPN connections, which can make a device appear to connect from Ireland. However, connecting to an Irish server does not necessarily provide access to Netflix Ireland’s regional catalog.

Netflix can detect VPN connections and limit viewers to movies and shows with worldwide streaming rights. Its official VPN streaming policy explains that regional titles may disappear when users connect through a VPN. Additionally, VPN providers may restrict geographic circumvention under their terms. Therefore, even with an Irish IP address, you should not assume that Bikes vs Cars will appear or play.

How to watch Bikes vs Cars on Netflix with a VPN

If your circumstances and the applicable service terms permit VPN use, you can check whether Netflix makes Bikes vs Cars available through an Irish connection. The following steps explain how to configure the VPN and check Netflix without assuming that regional access will work.

1. Choose a VPN service. Start by reviewing Private Internet Access, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN. All three provide connections in Ireland, although their streaming policies and features differ.
2. Download and install the VPN application from the provider’s official website. Sign in using your VPN account credentials.
3. Open the VPN application and select Ireland. PIA lists an Ireland location, while ExpressVPN and NordVPN document Dublin connections.
4. Fully close Netflix before testing the new connection. Close the browser tab or exit the Netflix application rather than simply minimizing it.
5. Wait for the VPN to establish its connection, then reopen the Netflix website or application.
6. Sign in to your existing Netflix account. You do not need to create another account merely to connect to a VPN.
7. Search for Bikes vs Cars using the exact title. You can also check whether the documentary appears through its official Netflix listing.
8. Start playback only if Netflix displays the movie and permits access under your account, location, and subscription conditions.

Netflix Ireland currently lists the 2015 documentary with a runtime of approximately 90 minutes. The Irish listing identifies English as the original audio language and includes English, German, French, Polish, Russian, and Spanish (Spain) subtitles. Available language options may still vary by device and account settings.

For a direct reference, open the Bikes vs Cars Netflix listing. The title identifier is 80075312. If Netflix redirects the page, removes the title, or displays an unavailability message, the public regional listing does not override what your account can actually access.

Remember that a VPN changes your apparent network location, not your Netflix subscription country. Netflix may recognize the VPN and show only globally licensed content. Private Internet Access also explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent content providers’ geographic restrictions.

Best VPNs for watching Bikes vs Cars on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN have verified Irish connections. Their locations, connection protocols, and troubleshooting options make them useful services to compare. However, none can guarantee access to Bikes vs Cars on Netflix from the United States.

VPN	Server locations in Ireland	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	Ireland; Dublin IP address	Ireland location, subject to PIA’s geographic-restriction policy
ExpressVPN	Dublin	Dublin with Automatic protocol
NordVPN	Dublin; 72 Irish servers listed	Automatically selected Irish server using NordLynx

These locations come from the providers’ official documentation. A connection that works for ordinary browsing or privacy protection may still encounter Netflix’s VPN detection.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is our Editor’s Choice for comparing Irish VPN connections because it provides an Ireland location, modern connection protocols, flexible application settings, and detailed troubleshooting documentation. It also publishes clear restrictions concerning streaming and geographic access.

According to the official PIA server location directory, Ireland appears as a selectable location. PIA’s Ireland-specific documentation also confirms Dublin IP addresses. Its current application directory does not separately identify an Ireland streaming-optimized server.

To establish an Irish VPN connection, open PIA, select the VPN server section, search for Ireland, and connect to the displayed location. The provider’s Ireland VPN page confirms Dublin coverage, unlimited bandwidth, and support for modern encryption and protocols.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard provides a lightweight connection option that may reduce overhead, while OpenVPN offers an established alternative for connection compatibility. If your VPN connection feels unstable, you can test another supported protocol and compare performance.

Unlike some countries in PIA’s network, Ireland does not have multiple separately named city locations in the current application directory. Reconnecting to Ireland may establish another connection, but PIA does not document a second Irish city or dedicated Irish streaming location that users can select.

PIA also maintains a virtual server location list. Ireland does not appear among the virtual destinations in that document. PIA says most of its other locations use hardware in the selected country, although this does not independently establish the physical address of every Irish server.

For connection problems, update the PIA application, disconnect and reconnect, and clear outdated browser cookies. PIA’s official streaming instructions also explain how to find streaming-optimized locations where the company provides them.

There is an important restriction. PIA explicitly states that customers must not use its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers. Its streaming guidance recommends connecting to a server in the country where the user currently resides. For someone physically in the United States, connecting to Ireland specifically to bypass Netflix’s regional licensing would conflict with that policy.

Consequently, PIA remains a useful privacy VPN with verified Irish coverage, but its Ireland servers should not be treated as an authorized method of unlocking Bikes vs Cars on Netflix US. Even permitted VPN connections can trigger Netflix’s detection systems.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN provides another option for users who need an Irish VPN connection. The provider officially lists Dublin and offers several connection protocols, including Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.

The ExpressVPN Ireland page confirms Dublin as its Irish location. The company also includes Ireland among the countries with upgraded 40 Gbps server infrastructure. This describes server capacity, not the download speed that every customer will receive.

To connect, open ExpressVPN, select the location picker, search for Ireland, and choose Dublin. Leave the VPN protocol on Automatic initially. ExpressVPN recommends this setting because its application can choose a protocol suited to the current network conditions.

ExpressVPN developed Lightway for fast and stable connections, including situations where devices switch between wireless networks. WireGuard provides another modern option, while OpenVPN offers compatibility with different network environments.

According to the company’s official server directory, Ireland supports Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, and OpenVPN TCP. Actual protocol availability also depends on the device and application version.

ExpressVPN distinguishes physical and virtual server locations. A virtual location gives users an IP address for one country while its hardware operates elsewhere. Ireland does not appear on the provider’s published virtual location list, so ExpressVPN identifies Dublin as a conventional Irish server location rather than a documented overseas-hosted virtual destination.

If your connection becomes unstable, first check the VPN’s connection status. You can then disconnect and reconnect to Dublin, update the application, or try another protocol. ExpressVPN’s connection troubleshooting guide recommends testing Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, and OpenVPN when the automatic setting does not work.

Dublin is the only Irish city specifically identified on the country page. Do not assume that ExpressVPN offers additional Irish cities unless its application or updated documentation confirms them.

Although ExpressVPN can provide an Irish IP address, Netflix may still recognize the connection as a VPN. Switching protocols or reconnecting does not guarantee access to Bikes vs Cars, and viewers must comply with applicable service terms.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN also provides Irish connections and offers several features intended to improve privacy, security, and connection performance. Its main advantages include automatic server selection, NordLynx, and the integrated SmartPlay feature.

NordVPN’s official Ireland server page lists 72 servers in Ireland as of November 13, 2026. The company identifies Dublin as its Irish server city. Server counts can change as NordVPN expands or updates its infrastructure.

To establish an Irish connection, open NordVPN, search for Ireland, and select the country. The application can automatically choose an appropriate Irish server rather than requiring you to enter a server number.

NordVPN uses NordLynx, a protocol built around WireGuard. Its lightweight design helps reduce connection overhead while preserving the VPN’s encryption and privacy features. You can select NordLynx through the application’s connection or protocol settings where your device supports it.

Another feature is SmartPlay. According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, this feature activates automatically when users connect through the NordVPN application. It combines DNS-related functionality with the encryption and IP address protection of an ordinary VPN connection.

SmartPlay does not require a separate installation or manual activation. However, NordVPN does not control Netflix’s licensing decisions or guarantee access to region-exclusive movies. SmartPlay should not be interpreted as a promise that Bikes vs Cars will appear on an American Netflix account.

If an Irish connection experiences problems, disconnect and select Ireland again to let NordVPN establish another connection. The company also supports manual server selection for users who want more control. Because Dublin is its documented Irish city, selecting another Irish server does not necessarily mean changing cities.

NordVPN publishes Netflix troubleshooting instructions covering connection checks, browser sessions, DNS issues, and application caches. The provider also reminds customers to comply with streaming services’ terms and applicable laws.

For ordinary streaming performance, start with a standard Irish server and NordLynx. If the connection drops or performs poorly, update the application and test another Irish server. These changes may improve the VPN connection itself, but Netflix can still restrict regional titles.

What to do if Bikes vs Cars does not appear

Netflix may hide Bikes vs Cars when it detects a VPN, encounters a regional licensing restriction, or determines that the title does not match your account’s available catalog. You can perform basic connection and browser troubleshooting before concluding that the documentary is unavailable.

1. Close Netflix completely, including any active browser tabs or running application instances.
2. Disconnect from your VPN and confirm that your normal internet connection works.
3. Reconnect to Ireland using a connection that complies with your VPN provider’s terms.
4. Try another available server in Ireland, or reconnect to the same country when the provider offers only one documented Irish location.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and the relevant browser cache to remove outdated session data.
6. Open a private or incognito browser window to check whether an existing browser session contributes to the problem.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account credentials.
8. Search for Bikes vs Cars again and check whether Netflix provides a playable listing.

For Private Internet Access, check the Ireland server entry, verify the application’s connection status, and update the software when necessary. PIA does not separately document an Irish streaming-optimized location, and its terms prohibit geographic circumvention.

For ExpressVPN, reconnect to Dublin and check whether the Automatic protocol establishes a stable connection. If the VPN itself has trouble connecting, try another officially supported protocol.

For NordVPN, let the application select another Irish server or manually choose a different available server in Dublin. NordVPN also recommends checking DNS-related settings and clearing the Netflix application cache in appropriate troubleshooting situations.

The documentary’s official title is Bikes vs Cars. Searching for the complete title is more reliable than searching for Bikes or Cars individually, which can produce unrelated results.

Netflix’s missing movie troubleshooting page explains that a title may disappear because of licensing restrictions, profile settings, or VPN detection.

If Netflix identifies a VPN and continues hiding the documentary, follow the streaming service’s instructions and disconnect the VPN. Changing servers does not guarantee that the movie will become available.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN routes your internet traffic through a remote server and changes the public IP address that websites see. An Irish VPN connection can therefore make your traffic appear to originate from Ireland even when your device remains in the United States.

However, an Irish IP address does not automatically grant access to Netflix Ireland. Netflix uses regional licensing arrangements to determine where it can distribute specific movies and television programs.

Its official VPN help page says viewers using a VPN may see only titles for which Netflix holds worldwide rights. This can prevent access to region-specific movies, even when the VPN connects successfully.

You may encounter a missing movie, an unavailable-title message, or a playback error. Netflix may also ask you to turn off your VPN before continuing.

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN cannot override Netflix’s licensing decisions. None of their Irish server locations guarantees that Bikes vs Cars will play on Netflix from the United States.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix does not support VPN connections on its ad-supported experience. This restriction applies even when the VPN itself connects normally.

According to Netflix’s ad-supported VPN guidance, subscribers may encounter error E121 or a message asking them to disable their VPN or proxy service.

Netflix recommends disconnecting the VPN to resolve this problem. An ad-free subscription avoids that specific plan restriction, but it does not guarantee access to regional catalogs while connected through a VPN.

Therefore, upgrading to an ad-free plan solely to watch Bikes vs Cars from another country would not provide a reliable guarantee of playback.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. Selecting Ireland in a VPN application changes the IP address visible to websites, but it does not automatically modify your Netflix account country, password, profiles, payment method, or billing information.

Netflix confirms in its account country documentation that users cannot simply change their account country unless they move to another country and follow the applicable account procedures.

The Netflix catalog can differ between regions because studios and distributors license movies separately. However, VPN detection can limit the titles visible to a subscriber, regardless of the server’s country.

For American viewers who want an alternative to Netflix, JustWatch US lists Bikes vs Cars on Kanopy. Kanopy access may require a participating public library or educational institution, so availability depends on your membership and institution.

Checking this alternative may be simpler than purchasing a VPN solely to look for the movie on Netflix.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access is our Editor’s Choice for its verified Irish connection, Dublin IP availability, WireGuard and OpenVPN support, and clear troubleshooting resources. However, PIA explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent content providers’ geographic restrictions. For users in the United States, that restriction makes PIA unsuitable for bypassing Netflix’s regional catalog limitations.

ExpressVPN offers a documented Dublin server location, Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and automatic protocol selection. NordVPN provides Dublin connections, 72 listed Irish servers, NordLynx, and automatically enabled SmartPlay. Both services offer practical VPN connection features, but neither guarantees that Netflix will display or play Bikes vs Cars.

As of November 13, 2026, Bikes vs Cars remains listed on Netflix Ireland and does not appear in the Netflix US catalog according to the checked availability sources. Irish VPN server coverage does not override Netflix’s licensing restrictions, VPN detection, subscription rules, or provider terms. If Netflix does not permit playback, Kanopy is a currently listed alternative for eligible viewers in the United States.