A cyclists’ paradise

Resisting the lure of four wheels, Copenhagen stands out as Europe’s cycling capital, writes Jennifer Rankin.

The Little Mermaid perched on a rock in Copenhagen harbour is perhaps the best-known symbol of the Danish capital. But for aficionados of transport policy, it is the bicycle that puts Copenhagen on the map.

Copenhagen has always been a city of cyclists; its cobbled streets were smoothed out for cycle lanes as long ago as the 1930s. But while many European cities saw cyclists overtaken by cars in the twentieth century, Copenhagen has remained faithful to two wheels. Thomas Krag, a transport consultant who used to head of Danish Cyclists’ Federation, says that Denmark’s attachment to cycling has deep social roots. "It is because we are Calvinists - like in the Netherlands - people are a little practical and have respect for the weak participants in society," he says, adding that cycling is even cheaper than public transport for people on low incomes. Krag recalls joining mass demonstrations in the 1970s when an estimated 30,000 people came out on the streets to demand more cycle lanes.

In the 1980s more cycle lanes were built, which helped the city to buck the trend of rising car ownership. In 1970-95 car ownership remained constant, despite rising incomes, although since then it has since been growing at a rate of 1% each year. Despite the lure of four wheels, Copenhagen has one of the highest rates of cycling in the world. According to official data, 36% of people cycle to work. The city authorities want to increase this to 50% by 2015 and cut the number of cars driving into the city. Copenhagen also wants to outpace the European Union on climate change and wants to cut its carbon emissions by 20% by 2015 - five years ahead of an EU target.

This target has generated a range of policies. Parking rules are restrictive and are likely to become more so in future. Niels Tørsløv, director of Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Administration Traffic Department, says that the city is planning a three-year pilot project that would see cars banned from the city if air pollution exceeds certain limits. One potential risk is an increase in air pollution on the periphery (if cars are chugging out carbon dioxide while waiting to enter the city) but Tørsløv thinks that smart use of internet warnings could prevent this problem.

Transport planners have offered carrots as well as sticks: spending on public transport has received a boost in recent years and continues to grow. In 2002, Copenhagen opened its first metro line and is planning to open a third line in 2018, a 30-kilometre ring at a cost of €2 billion.

But will all the shiny new trains and cycle lanes get enough people out of their cars? Tørsløv says that the city is very keen on introducing congestion charging. But this requires approval from central government, which is not enthusiastic. "The city has been doing quite well in avoiding the problems, but the trend [towards driving] they are fighting against is strong," says Krag.

Resisting the lure of four wheels, Copenhagen stands out as Europe’s cycling capital, writes Jennifer Rankin.