Bike Copenhagen

Everybody does it. Bike that is. In Copenhagen we bike whether it is sunny, raining or snowing. It is simply a way of life. Jump in the saddle and do like the locals.

When visiting Copenhagen you will notice one thing in particular. Practically everybody rides a bike. To school, work and out for a night on the town – in sun, rain or snow.

It is deeply rooted in Copenhageners that the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to get around is by bike. At present 52 percent of all Copenhageners cycle 1.27 million kilometres daily. This is one of the highest percentages in the world.

It is no wonder that The International Cycling Union, UCI, appointed Copenhagen the first official Bike City in the world from 2008-2011. And that cities, such as New York, want to learn from Copenhagen how to become a bike city – getting Copenhagenized is the term.

Cycle Super Highways

Copenhagen got its first bike lane back in 1910, but most parts of the important net of bike lanes have been established within the last 25 years. Currently the city is building more green routes through Copenhagen to ensure a safe and green transport route for cyclists while creating green spots in the cityscape.

Cycle routes out of the city are these years becoming a reality. When the first city-to-suburb Cycle Super Highway opened in 2012, it reached a distance of 15 kilometres from central Copenhagen.

The 400 kilometres of bike lanes make it easy for cyclists to make their way around the city. Even during rush hour cyclists sweeps through town. While motorists sit in tailbacks, cyclists drive by. Actually, Copenhagen is looked to for inspiration on how to create a city for bikes.

Copenhageners love their bikes

Though cycling is the cheapest means of transportation next to walking, Copenhageners love their bikes no matter their financial income. Many middle class families with kids in Copenhagen do not even own a car. They use their bikes to commute to work, bringing the kids to kindergarten etc. In fact 25 percent of all families with two kids in Copenhagen have a cargo bike.

Even top politicians ride their bike every day to parliament. A majority (63 percent) of the members of the Danish parliament, located at Christiansborg Castle in the middle of Copenhagen, commute by bike.

As a first time visitor in Copenhagen the amount of bicycles on the streets can be overwhelming. But you will soon realise, that life in Copenhagen is based on bicycles as the key means of transportation.