COpenGhen, 26 Jun. (askanews) – The last cycle bridge was inaugurated only a few days ago. Since 2015, it has been classified several times as the most bike-friendly capital in the world: with 750 thousand bicycles (five times the number of cars) and 662 thousand inhabitants. Welcome to Copenhagen, along the most innovative cycle paths in Europe and beyond. They range from snake -shaped bridges, to the 2015 Circle Bridge, to the cycle paths along the Oreesund coast. There are 397 kilometers of cycle paths, and 45% (according to Bicycle -friendly Copenhagen -Wonderful Copenhagen) of the inhabitants uses them every day to go to work or at the university, for an average distance of 9 kilometers per day. 75% of the inhabitants of the Danish capital do not have a car. Cargobikes, mainly electrical: one in four family in Copenhagen has one, also growing.
Lars Weiss, mayor of Copenhagen, explains the importance of investing in cycle paths. “We have invested a lot in bike infrastructure. It is the main political action undertaken. Copenhagen is a city relatively in the plain, so it is easy to move by bicycle. And today, for most of the inhabitants, the easiest and fastest way to move to the city is to choose the bicycle”.
In 2022, the city invested 10 million euros in cycle infrastructure to maintain and improve its status of more bike-friendly cities in the world. “In Copenhagen we have about 400 kilometers of cycle paths, and we do not stop here. The same goes for further bridges to be built. We will continue to invest in cycle paths”.
Safety, speed in moving and above all zero pollution. They are the three driving factors that make Copenhagen the capital of the bike. As Line Barfod, councilor for technical and environmental affairs of the city of Copenhagen and president of the Technical and Environmental Commission explains. “There are two aspects to underline. The first is that we have made cycle paths so that it is sure to be cycling. The other is that the city has been designed for bicycles. In 15 minutes you can have everything you need. School, kindergarten, supermarket, cultural events and so on. There is no need for the car”.
Projects for the future? “We are planning the next bridges through the port; every time we build a new one, even more cyclists use it. They are bridges that combine the neighborhoods, both in the literal sense of the term, and metaphorical, because in this way it is much easier to move, learn to know your city, make new friends. It is a bridge not only material”. It will take a few years for the next bridge. But not too many. Copenhagen is constantly transforming. Meanwhile, you pedal …
For tourists who wish to experience bike walks along the city we recommend “Cycling Copenhagen” (www.cycling-Copenhagen.dk) which also organizes tours. If, on the other hand, you intend to go outside the city and travel one of the sections of the European cycle paths, we suggest “Onewaybiketours.com”. For information on the city and Denmark, Visitcopenhagen (https://www.visitcopenhagen.com) and Visitdenmark (https://www.visitdenmark.it)
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