Cycle Guide DK

The Comprehensive Guide to Cycling in Copenhagen and Denmark

Archive for May, 2010

How to Stop

If you are cycling and suddenly wish to stop, signal that you wish to stop first (see Hand Signals). Then dismount on the right side and quickly move your bicycle on to the side walk so that you do not block traffic, as shown in this video.

Traffic Lights

All over Copenhagen you will notice mini traffic lights, they are specifically for bicycles. They are usually on the right side of the normal traffic light. The light timing is staggered so that you can get a head start before the cars when heading across an intersection.

How to Make a Right Turn

Making a right turn is pretty straight forward.  Simply extend your right hand to let the people around you know that you are turning right, and then turn right as shown in this video. and this picture The only confusing thing about turning right is that turning right at a red light is not allowed.  [...]

Hand Signals

Hand signals are essential for cycling around Copenhagen, especially for avoiding collisions and angering local cyclists. This photo shows the proper way of hand signaling, according to the Copenhagen Police. Make sure to practice this version: This photo shows the more common and subtle way of signaling, considered to be the “cool” Danish version. This [...]

Locking Your Bike

Locking your bike is easy. The rear wheel bike lock has a simple locking mechanism that threads a metal bar through the back tire spokes. To use the lock, insert the bike key into the lock and turn it right. While turning the key right, grab the lever on the opposite side of the lock [...]

Bike parking

Bike piles!

Cycling Rules

In order to quickly get accustomed to cycling in Copenhagen, you should know the basic rules of the road. The following are the most important biking rules, taken from The Danish Road Traffic Act. Keep right Use bicycle track when available Riding side by side is allowed, but let others pass No right-turns on red! [...]

Top Ten Tips for Urban Cycling

Here are the top ten tips Observe expand(document.getElementById(‘ddet1283040204′));expand(document.getElementById(‘ddetlink1283040204′)) Before you get on your bicycle and cycle yourself, it is very helpful to first observe how the locals cycle as a bystander. Pay attention to the locals’ cycling speed, how they signal and make turns, where they position themselves at red-lights, how they cross intersections, etc.. [...]

Free bikes!

The City Bikes program in Copenhagen began in 1995 as a public-private collaboration to provide free bicycles for tourists and residents in the inner city of Copenhagen. It was the first program of its kind, and other places have adopted this program in order to promote cycling in their cities. City Bikes have added to [...]

How to Perform a Hook Turn

The safest way to do a left turn quickly is to perform a hook turn.  The diagram below illustrates how to perform a hook turn.  You simply signal that you are going to stop, and then turn right and then left as shown in the green path in the diagram below.  Legally, you are also [...]