Cycling in Copenhagen

[lph]

I've wondered about their cycling culture...when cycling becomes so integrated/embedded, one's identity then no longer needs to be tied at all as a "cyclist"/ defined as a cyclist or as the "other".

Yup - Denmark is one of our closest neighbours, yet they have a cycling culture that is nothing like Norway. Part of it is geography - Denmark is flat and open, and they have ROOM to build bike paths all over the place. Norway is hilly and mountainous and everything has to be squeezed in.

I do think that there is very little identity connected to being a cyclist in Denmark, no more than there would be to "being" a pedestrian or a driver or a bus passenger, they're just alternative modes of transport. I think the transport thing is key - I'm sure racers still consider themselves very much "cyclists".

[shootingstar]

Yup - Denmark is one of our closest neighbours, yet they have a cycling culture that is nothing like Norway. Part of it is geography - Denmark is flat and open, and they have ROOM to build bike paths all over the place. Norway is hilly and mountainous and everything has to be squeezed in.

Just next door to City of Vancouver, are the north Vancouver municipalities. It's been tough to get enough regular cycling advocates to work on better cycling infrastructure. The area sits on primarily mountain slopes,..gradual but enough to turn off newbie cyclists or dreamers. Same area that's known for mountain bikers (world-wide). But cycling doesn't mean just technical riding through forest, rocky slopes, etc. We are hopeful since there will be a signed route crossing the whole north face ...which would be great.

Apparently there were over 10,000 participants in bike to work wk. in Copenhagen. Or more. They do have occasional cycling events for that type of social bonding, whatever.

Drivers and pedestrians seem to be more alert of cyclists in Copenhagen. THere are less drivers honking at cyclists... they just wait for cyclists.