Bicycle, Copenhagen

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Photos: Seventeen people cycling in the rain in Copenhagen

In the middle of my visit to Copenhagen in June 2009 I was treated to one of their famous Baltic low-pressure areas, which brought thirty-six consecutive hours of drenching rainfall.

As I mentioned in my Rainy days in Copenhagen travelogue, this had a somewhat dampening effect on bicycle traffic. Instead of the usual 500,000 there were only about 300,000 cyclists on the streets (my estimate), which was a noticeable reduction but still more than you've ever seen in your life if you happen to come from an over-motorized country.

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Photos: Cargo bikes in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen has a long history of cargo bikes (trikes actually, since they have three wheels).

In my photos the cargo bikes are all being used to transport people and in one case a dog, but they are also often used to transport, well, cargo.

The cargo bike in my fifth photo is a Christianiabike -- see my Christiania tip under "Things to Do" for more details.

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Photos:
1. Østerport Cykler
2. Sign at the S-train station
3. Cyclists going by on Oslo Plads

Here's just one more of the dozens of bike-rental shops in Copenhagen.

This one is at the Østerport train station on one of Copenhagen's three Green Wave routes for bicycles.

Oslo plads 9, 2100 København Ø

GPS 55°41'30.89" North; 12°35'10.81" East

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Photos:
1. Cykelboersen Rent-a-Bike in the rain
2. Driving school next door
3. Cykelboersen signs -- 125th anniversary!

Here's another of the many bike-rental places in Copenhagen.

I didn't rent a bike here, because I already had one from the station, but this shop also looks very good and is highly recommended by VT member cachaseiro ("The Biking Viking"), who is our resident expert on all things Copenhagian.

Cykelboersen happens to be located right next door to a driving school, so if you flunk your driving test you can just come over and buy a bicycle, which would have been a better idea to start with.

Gothersgade 157, 1123 København

GPS 55°41'10.61" North; 12°33'59.72" East

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Photos:
1. American girls renting bikes at the station
2. Københavns Cykler at the station
3. Bicycle shop at the station
4. Repair shop at the station

Here are some American girls bravely renting bicycles at the main railroad station in Copenhagen -- not terrified by the idea like most of my compatriots. (I could tell you some stories but never mind, they can't help it. And in a few years American cities will catch up and be fit for cycling, too. Have a look at http://bikewalk.org/ for some rays of hope.)

I also rented a bicycle at the station for my entire stay in Copenhagen, and was very satisfied with it.

Københavns Cykler also sells bikes (third photo) and repairs them (fourth photo), but altogether the bicycle station is surprisingly small compared to some of the others I've seen. The one in Münster, for instance, is at least ten times as big, and even has a bicycle washing machine, which I haven't seen in Copenhagen or anywhere else.

Reventlowsgade 11, 1651 København V.

GPS 55°40'18.91" North; 12°33'51.32" East

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Photos:
1. Kids walking their bikes
2. Mother and child on Kronprinsessegade
3. Mother and child on H C Andersens Boulevard
4. Mother and child on Knippelsbro
5. Child in a trailer behind his father's bike

As in other people-oriented cities, such as Münster or Amsterdam, children in Copenhagen learn to ride bicycles at an early age.

But before they are old enough for that they are transported on their parents' bicycles in various ways, for instance on front or rear children's seats, or in trailers.

(Or in cargo bikes, as in the next tip.)

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Photos:
1. Cycling on a typical cycle track
2. This one is even wider than usual
3. On a cycle track near the station
4. Separated by curbs from cars and pedestrians
5. Coming up onto the bridge (Knippelsbro)

In lots of cities, including the one I live in, there is an ongoing discussion about whether bicycles lanes should be painted on the street or on the sidewalk.

If these are the only two options, I much prefer having a lane painted on the street, because car drivers can see me better and are less likely to run me down at intersections. Also I have a smoother ride and can go twice as fast because I don't have to worry about running into stray pedestrians.

Copenhagen, however, has a third option. On most of the main streets they have constructed "cycle tracks" that are higher than the street but lower than the sidewalk and separated from both by curbs. This is no doubt more expensive than just painting lines -- but the cycle tracks are a good investment and are very cheap compared to the huge sums that are spent on building roads for cars.

Since most of the main streets in Copenhagen now have cycle tracks, you don't need a special bicycle map as in many other cities, since nearly every street is safe and convenient for cyclists.

A study commissioned by the city of Copenhagen found that the construction of cycle tracks has resulted in an 18-20% increase in bicycle traffic and a 9-10% decrease in car traffic on roads where cycle tracks have been constructed.

Copenhagen is flat and all Denmark is flat. You are not tired biking here. Of course to go to anywhere in the city but even outside the city. You can even take the bike in the train.

Copenhagen is prepared for bikes. Everybody go cyling. There are traffic light for bikes and of course lanes for bikes.

Rent a bike but do not use bikes for tourist as they are very heavy and broken most times

Copenhagen is one of the European capitals with most bicycles.
Most roads of Copenhagen has special lanes for bicycles, and it is quite safe to go around on a bike because the bikes are seperated from the cars.
Copenhagen is a small city and you'll surely see much more if you go around on a bike, and fell free to go exactly where you want to go. If you keep to the right side of the bicycle lane and dont go too fast you'll be OK.
Warning: Take care of the crazy motorists and bikers who think they own the road and dont respect other people in the traffic!

Rent a bike at "Københavns Cykler" at København H (Central station track 12)
Here you can rent a good bike for about 10 euros a day.
Openinghours: Monday to Friday: 8.00 - 17.30, and Saturday: 9.00 - 13.00

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renting a bicycle when in copenhagen is a very good thing to do.
cycling is the best way to get around the copenhagen area and you will see copenhagen the way most copenhagen citizens do.
copenhagen is one of the greatest bicycle cities in the world and you should get on a bike and blend in.

københavns cykelbørs at gothersgade is one of the best places to rent bikes.they charge from around 9 euros per day and have good discounts if you rent for longer periods.

the adress of the place is:

gothersgade 157.

it's located near nørreport station.