Biking Copenhagen

Today's post is not about a place. Or maybe it is. Maybe it's a post about all places. At least it's a post about how to reach them. Riding your bike.

Copenhagen is all about bicycles. I know there are other places in the world where people probably use their bicycle just as much as in Denmark, but I'm not sure they do it the way the Danes do. With style and no matter what the weather.

Bikes are definitely the best, fastest and cheapest way to get around Copenhagen. Forget about cars. They are so ridiculously expensive in Denmark due to high taxes, and very few young people have them. Usually Copenhageners don't buy a car until they get a family and kids. And if they live in the center of Copenhagen they will probably prefer the so called Christiania bike in order drive their kids around. Much cheaper and faster than a car.

I mentioned style. Copenhageners use their bike for transportation every day whether they are going to work, to dinner or out partying in the night. This means that Copenhageners are very stylish when they bike. High heels on a bike is not a problem. Neither is a suit or an elegant dress. Rain and snow? Copenhageners don't fear anything. It takes a lot before they will leave their bike at home.

As a tourist in Copenhagen you really must rent a bike. And remember to try the cute rickshaw services, i.e. taxi bikes. You usually find them on Amagertorv in front of Cafe Norden. Young boys and girls will take you to your destination on their bikes.

Danish bicycle culture is actually much more famous than it may appear. An exhibition called Dreams on Wheels has travelled the world being showed in several capitals. It's an exhibition on the Danish bicycle culture, how the Danes use their bike, how infrastructure has been adapted to make bicycling easy and secure and how the impact from choosing bikes over cars can have a huge positive effect on the environment. In Denmark we even have a Cycling Embassy! Don't believe me? Click HERE.

I'm going to end this post by linking to a wonderful blog you should visit immediately. It's called Cycle Chic and it's made by blogger and photographer Mikael Colville-Andersen. Go there immediately and meet the Danes on their bikes in all kinds of weather and outfits. And while you're at it, don't forget to watch Colville-Andersen's amazing film filled with gorgeous images from Copenhagen and its cyclists. I get homesick every time I see it!