Get, Set, Bike!

 Why is it so easy to bike in Copenhagen?

One of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of cycling is the dedicated cycle lanes. The continuous network makes it so easy to get to places. There are no disruptions, no pauses, no breaks - you can just cycle all around the city. It also makes it safer to get to places without worrying about high-speed motor vehicles or long buses and trucks.

Apparently, there is nothing you wouldn't carry on a bike either! Let's all admire and applaud the local cycling here with his cello on his back!

The city is known for its cobblestone paths, just like every other European city. But these loosely laid stones make it hard to cycle without your entire body shaking and jolting, feeling every stone your cycle tire is going over. The city came up with a clever solution. They leveled and laid the stones tightly in places where they thought cycles could go over. These subtle differences make you more aware of your path, and speed and make you a good cyclist in a dense urban space.

There are ride-share programs and shops scattered across all neighborhoods. You just need to find the one that fits your needs. Some also have electronic bikes that give you just the right assistance you need to get to the top of a bridge or a gentle nudge to get ahead of the cycle traffic.

Parking! EVERYWHERE YOU NEED THEM! Grocery stores, metro stations, other public spaces, schools, offices, playgrounds, you name it, they have it!

A cool thing I noticed - most roofs are extensive green roofs (less than 200mm of soil or substrate) in the city. This makes the birds stay on top of the roof rather than flock together on the ground where people are moving about, and cyclists are zooming past.

Bicycle bridges! 

I could go on forever about how amazingly satisfying it was to bike up and down on a bridge meant just for pedestrians and bicycles. I enjoyed how I could stop or slow down to enjoy the view and not rush past and worry about my safety because the vehicles in the next lane were noisy and fast.

These new bridges across the harbor connected the city for pedestrians and cyclists to continue their journey without worrying about taking the longer route to get to fun places on the other side.

This cluster of trees made for a natural shade for the bike parking for the residents nearby.

The ferry and metro allow you to take your bike for a small fee. This helps the locals stay connected by all means of transport. This lovely person with their furry friend was taking the ferry to visit their family. They have a little ways to go after the ferry stop. Taking the bike makes the short travel seamless without any worry.

Everything comes down to infrastructure. Copenhagen has designed a network of safe, simple, and connected infrastructure that highlights the famous Danish efficiency and focuses on simplicity and function. The bicycle infrastructure is built for the user and cognizant of the context it is built in.