So, what’s up with all the bikes here? Five minutes in Denmark’s capital will give you a sense of the sheer popularity of cycling in the bike-friendly infrastructure of Copenhagen. You may get mixed reactions from Danes when asked whether a foreign student should be biking in Copenhagen. Some will scoff, some will laugh. Ignore this. If you care enough to commit to biking, you’ll find it a continuously rewarding and efficient way to navigate the city. Copenhagen’s modern city planning is built to favor the tens of thousands of bike commuters who travel daily. This means an extremely robust series of bike lanes, bike-specific lights, and clear, protected space for cyclists on the road. Navigating this system is, well, like riding a bike. With practice, consistency, and confidence, you’ll gain access to a whole new way to view the city. And in one of the most cyclist-safe and bike- centric cities in the world, what better place to give it a try?
The first alternative you may think of is a car—think again. There is no equivalent of Uber culture here. Cars are the lowest on the totem pole when it comes to the hierarchy of Copenhagen’s winding streets. Expect taxis to take just as long, if not more so, than any other means of transit. Whether it’s after a night out or a long day, you are expected to be on public transit or bike at any hour. Fortunately, you are never far from a rideable bike. This includes rental bikes, like the Europe-wide brand Donkey Republic (‘donkey bikes’), electric scooters (which you will recognize from any college campus), or trendy long-term bike rental brands like the iconic blue-tired Swapfiets.
If you get especially lucky, an unlocked bike may “appear” to ride home after a late night or in a travel pinch. This is considered good luck. The Danish logic behind this semi-folktale is to keep the luck flowing and keep the bike unlocked for the next person in need, but obviously, it doesn’t always go that way. I’m certainly not advocating for you to participate in this trend… instead, just reminding you to be vigilant about where and how you lock your bike. That’s all I’m implying.
The following are some of my quickest possible tips to familiarize yourself with before hopping on a bike (which, as I hope I’ve emphasized, you SHOULD be trying!) The steps beyond the ones I’m about to mention will become immediately clear to you as you learn biking in Copenhagen—crucially, things like the use of hand signals (point to the direction you’re going, raise your hand to signal stopping) and the dreaded box-left turn (beyond my abilities to describe) that’s less fun to read about. DIS offers ample resources about biking for beginners. But here is secret knowledge they may not tell you right away.
COPENHAGEN BIKE RIDE 101: BASIC ANATOMY
(or the things no one told me about biking here)
The bell: The bike bell, while a cute and nostalgic sound for the average American, is the passive aggressive weapon of choice for the Copenhagen commuter. Despite its playful-sounding ring, the bell’s role in the cycling experience is just as vital to heed (and to use sparingly) as a car’s horn. It is also used in anger just like a car horn, so in the throes of rush hour, expect a few rings in your first few weeks. By the end of the semester, you’ll be ringing people yourself.
The curb rest: When stopped at lights, those closest to the right curb will get the chance to lean or rest their bikes on the raised edge of the curb. While a well-fitted bike should allow you to touch the ground with just the tips of your toes, being able to lean your bike with your foot on the curb will allow a better pedal push-off when the light turns in your favor. Some of the most popular lights even have specific footrests installed for this purpose!
Red, yellow, green: It almost goes without saying: pay attention to the light. For bikes and cars alike at major intersections, Copenhagen traffic lights use yellow as an interim between red to green, not just between green to red. This is another helpful piece of city infrastructure for cyclists, but one to keep close attention to. For cyclists, it is common knowledge that yellow is the time to begin pushing off on into the moving lane—because this takes a second, it’s important to begin motion during the “yellow” period to reach actual traveling speed by the green light. This will help you avoid the dreaded bell ringing I mentioned earlier.
The fast lane: KEEP RIGHT. If there is any advice I’d give a student becoming a full-time cyclist abroad, it’s to keep as close to the right as you can manage. Follow the rules as if you are driving a car—pass on the left, otherwise, keep right. Far too many naïve American bikers take up the middle of the lane. The variable for cycling rather than cars is the human-powered element. Someone will always be a better biker than you and physically able to outpace you. Concurrently, they will want you to get out of the way. Never take up too much space in the center of the lane. For maximum smoothness of your commute, follow this golden rule.
With these new tools in your arsenal, pair them with a sturdy helmet and a well-oiled bike chain. Beyond that, you already have a head start on the exciting, efficient, and eco-friendly culture of biking in Scandinavia.
Biking piquing your interest about Scandinavia? Learn more about the DIS program, with programs in both Copenhagen and Stockholm, through other Storyteller’s experiences.