When you talk about Denmark, Danish cycling culture is always part of the conversation. Cycling is an important part of Denmark. Denmark’s landscape is among other things one of the reasons why cycling is an important part of the culture in Denmark. Even though Denmark is next to some of the world’s best mountainous countries, it doesn’t have many hills but a vast amount of flat surfaces which makes cycling enjoyable and an activity in which all the age groups can take part.
Newcomers to Denmark often hear a saying that there’s no bad weather but only bad clothing. It’s so true when it comes to Danish cycling culture. You can see people ride cycles in all the seasons, from the sunny summer to deep winter even when it’s snowing. There are so many varieties of cycles, that you wouldn’t have seen in any other part of the world and don’t exist in most of the countries. There are flocks of cyclists during the traffic hours and there will be huge traffic in the cycle lane as same as in the motorway.
How safety cycling in Denmark
Unlike most other countries, Denmark has a special lane for cycles in between the pedestrian lane and the motorway in most parts of the country. Elevated lanes make a clear separation between each type of lane such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorways. So possibilities for collision are very few. Usually, the cycle lane has enough space for two cycles to ride parallel and if you’re a fast rider, you can always take the left side of the lane otherwise it’s safe to ride on the right side. Most of the cycle lanes have their colour lights other than the main colour lights for vehicles. So the cyclists can be more focused during the ride.
Although it’s optional to wear a cycling helmet in Denmark, almost all cyclists wear them. Cycles have priority over other vehicles. So you can safely cross the road in intersections. Special cycling highways are another safe transport route for cyclists which enables a smoother ride with fewer stops connecting cities and residential areas. This is an attractive option for commuters to use more cycles than private vehicles and also a safer alternative transportation mode.
How to choose a cycle
When you move here, you will notice many different types of cycles all over Denmark. Every type has its purpose. Kids’ cycles have separate categories and men’s and women’s cycles are different in design. But with the same performance. Also unisex models especially for road and gravel cycle models. In the recent past, electric cycles got popular all over Europe and Denmark isn’t an exception. So what is the ideal cycle for me? These are some of the basics to keep in mind when choosing your bike, but the decision is always yours.
If your purpose is for commuting and if you’re at a good fitness level, you can consider a city bike. Which usually comes with hub gear so less maintenance. If you commute long distances, you can switch to an electric city bike which is more comfortable with seating position as well as ideal for longer distances. If you’re more adventurous you can go for a road/race or a faster gravel bike. The handlebar in these cycles allows you to ride in 3 different positions. Most of these cycles come with 3×7 – 3×11 speed. These cycles are ideal for long road rides but of course, nothing will stop you from using them for your daily commute as well.
There are mountain bike models that have their own set of categories. They have two main categories as Hardtail and Full suspension. Full suspension mountain bikes are for more mountain riding adventures and it’s very rare to see them on the roads. The hardtail mountain bikes are common on the road and they provide more comfort and good grip on the road during snow and winter. If you love mountain biking, there are many clubs around the country, or you can find MTB trails using the https://www.komoot.com app. You can check out here https://www.mtb-tours.dk/ for a rented mountain bike and go around the Hareskoven MTB trail before you decide to buy one, which is super fun.
If you’re a family and looking for a bike where you can safely take kids along with you there’s a special type of cycle called Cargo bikes (Ladcykel) in Denmark. They have three wheels and a box attached in front of the cycle. Usually, it has space for 4 kids but sometimes grown-ups also sit there and enjoy the ride. Cargo bikes come in many different brands, models and variations. Price ranges from less than 10,000 DKK to over 60,000 DKK. If you have small kids and you don’t want to spend time and money on the road with traffic, this could be an ideal solution and it comes both with and without electric versions.
Alternatively, you can attach a cycle trailer to your bike which can hold 2 kids maximum up to 6 years old or up to 40 kg of the total weight of kids. It can easily attach to most types of bikes. Also, there are kids seat attachments available for smaller kids up to 3 years.
Should you go for a brand new bike or a used bike
There are many reasons to choose one over the other. Even though Denmark has the best infrastructure and a large number of cyclists, bikes are not always cheaper. Brand new bikes can be starting from 1500 DKK to even 100,000 DKK. But you can always buy a solid bike for less than 10,000 DKK. Another issue is, Denmark is safer in many ways except for cycle theft. It’s a very common problem here and expensive cycles are always at risk.
If you want to try out cycling in Denmark first before you find your ideal bike, you can always go for a used one. Facebook marketplace and DBA are very active in cycle buy and sell. If you’re lucky, you can get a used expensive model bike for less than 2000 DKK. Before you meet the person, it’s always safe to ask them to provide the bike frame number to check if the bike is in the stoles cycles database before you make the purchases.
All bikes in Denmark have this unique frame number near the seat pole or under the pedals. When you purchase a bike, make sure to note down this number as when it’s an unfortunate situation and you lose the bike, you can inform the police and register the bike under the stolen bikes. But there’s a very slim chance that you will get your bike back.
How to protect your bike from theft
As in the previous paragraphs, cycle thefts are very common in Denmark. When you purchase a new bike remember to write down the frame number. If you’re buying a used one, remember to ask the frame number before you meet the person to verify it’s not a stolen one. If they’re not willing to provide, then it’s a red flag. Most of the content insurances (Indbo Forsikring) covers bike theft in Denmark. Check with your insurance provider for the coverages.
The content Insurance premium will vary with the price of the bike and also if it’s an electric cargo bike, you have to pay extra as well. If you don’t own content insurance, there are insurance companies that provide only cycle insurance, which could be cheaper. Ask your cycle dealer. You must have an Insurance Covered cycle lock attached to your bike to claim from the insurance. This lock comes with a form to fill your bike’s frame number in case of a claim. Usually, people park their daily commute cycles outside the apartments or houses. But it’s always safe to keep the premium bikes indoors.
Cycle Maintenance
Owning a cycle is an easy part but don’t forget the maintenance. When the cycles are left outside, cycle parts are prone to get rusted especially in the winter. There are different chain oils for different climates, choose the correct one. There are several videos on youtube for cycle cleaning. When you’re living in an apartment, it’s not an easy job to clean your cycle. If you’re living closer to mountain bike trails, they usually have a place to wash your cycle for a small feel.
Along the way, learning how to fix your bike yourself gradually save up a lot of money. Cycle parts can be found cheaper if you know how to fix them. Parts can get it delivered within 1 to 2 days. A quick google search will provide enough sites for good discounts.
Cycling clubs
You can find clubs for any activities that you love to take part in Denmark and there are many cycling clubs all over Denmark. Some companies have their own cycling clubs and also independent clubs where anyone can join according to their entry requirements. Strava has a very active cycling community in Denmark and that can be the best place to start finding and joining a cycling club.
Why cycling in Denmark
Denmark is a very beautiful country. To see the beauty and feel its nature, cycling is one of the best activities. Also, it is a more fun activity when doing it together.
Photo credits
- Photo by Max Adulyanukosol , Johan Mouchet, Talles Alves and Clayton Cardinalli on Unsplash
