A dummy’s guide to driving and cycling in Denmark

By Arzia Tivany Wargadiredja

In Denmark, bikes are more than just a mode of transportation. For Danes, cycling is historically a symbol of equality and freedom. Some say that it was also a symbol of resistance during the German Occupation. In Denmark’s biggest cities, like Copenhagen and Aarhus, bikes are the main mode of transport since cars and parking prices are not that affordable.

BIKE LIKE A DANE

Danish kids learn how to bike at a very young age. Often, it is part of the school program to learn how to bike in traffic, so most Danes know the basic rules. Even if you already know how to bike, you still have to adhere to the following general rules: if there is a separate lane for cyclists, keep in that lane. If you can’t find it, make sure you are on the right side. Follow the traffic rules, and always use hand gestures if you’re going right, left or stopping.

On top of this, make sure your lights, brakes, reflectors, and bells do their

Another option is learning from the pros. Cyklistforbundet (The Danish Cyclists Federation), usually provides lessons for adults in different regions in Denmark. It is also worth trying to check out bike shops or rental agencies to ask if they provide bike lessons for adults.

COMMON CRIME: BIKE THEFT to take your bike, but sometimes only during a certain period of time, and you have to check with the operators.

Statistics show that at least one in six Danes have stolen bikes – a surprising figure given the high level of trust in Danish society. It’s estimated that 200 bicycles get stolen every day, and most thefts never end with criminal charges. It’s a good idea to make sure your bike is insured. If you don’t, you just have to let it go when you get unlucky as the police won’t take action in cases of theft of uninsured property. The more expensive the bike is, the likelier it is to get stolen. However, second hand bikes are great and surprisingly cheap – usually less than 1000 kroner.

CARS

One piece of advice Danes will give you when you think you need a car is: ‘Maybe ... you don’t”. For decades, Denmark has been consistent in taxing motorists, while at the same time profiting economically from cyclists. The government considers every kilometre travelled by bike in Copenhagen to equal health benefits, reduced CO2 and decreased sick leave. Driving cars, however, equals the exact opposite.

In 2019, a Car Cost Index released on where you settle. In Copenhagen’s most central residential areas, and close to gentrified culture hubs, public transport will almost always be available. While there has been a lot of debate about how expensive public transportation is in Denmark, will driving actually work out to be cheaper?

In contrast, you may want to consider a car when you live in smaller municipalities where public transport is not always readily available. You may also think about owning a car when you have a family of four or more and public transportation can be very costly. Figures from the National Cycling Report show that the further