Don't Hop On A Bike In Denmark Until You Know The Local Cycling Etiquette

If you love to ride a bicycle, Denmark is one of the best places on earth to do it. Copenhagen is a showcase city for urban cycling, where 239 miles of separated bike lanes run through the whole city. Most households own at least one bicycle and use it regularly; altogether, Danes ride about 5 million miles per day. Nearly half of Copenhagen's residents commute to work or school on a bike. You can transport your bike (often for free) on harbor buses, the metro, the S-train, and the national rail, with some provisos, and bikes are easy to find and rent. All of this comes as no surprise since Denmark is known for innovation (you can even rent kayaks for free in Copenhagen). For travelers who want to ride around safely — and in good company — you'll find much to love about the streets of this historic city, as well as the 2,963 miles of exclusive bike routes that extend across the country. 

But that doesn't mean Denmark will love you back. Unlike in the U.S., where bicycles are viewed as toys and exercise equipment, Danes routinely treat bicycles as their primary mode of transportation. The love and attention Americans put into their cars are roughly equivalent to Danish citizens and their velocipedes. The rules here are stricter and are taken much more seriously. Whereas Americans might get a finger-wag for not wearing a helmet, Danes are expected to attach headlamps, reflectors, bells, and brakes –– and not doing so could result in a fine. Ironically, helmets are not required. Whether you're coasting around the capital or planning an epic bike tour through Northern Europe, it's vital to know cycling etiquette while in Denmark.

Many of the rules in Denmark will be familiar to North American cyclists. Keep to the right-hand side of the street, don't use your phone while pedaling, and definitely don't ride while intoxicated. But many of the rules are slightly different. To signal a right-hand turn, you point toward the right (instead of crooking your left arm up like you would in the States). Cyclists should also never ride on a sidewalk or other pedestrian space and bike lanes and paths are reserved only for cyclists. This may seem obvious, but if you dismount and start to walk your bike, you should physically leave the cycle path and enter the pedestrian zone.

You can carry a child but only if you have an approved child seat. There is also no standing on "pegs," as you often see in the U.S. When you come to a bus stop, you have to wait until the bus doors are closed before proceeding. It's technically illegal to remove your feet from your pedals while in motion and you need at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Yes, you can get fined for any of these infractions.

With great pedal-driven power comes great responsibility, and Danish riders (and police) will not take kindly to free-wheeling tourists. Once you adapt to the formalized environment, a bike is truly the best way to explore Copenhagen and beyond. Once you've finished your circuit around town, refuel in the city's delicious dining scene.