Transcript Bike culture in Denmark Søren Arildskov Rasmussen Partner, Architect MAA Edinburgh, November 2012

Bike culture in Denmark
Søren Arildskov Rasmussen
Partner, Architect MAA
Edinburgh, November 2012
Why did Denmark become a cycling nation ?
Around 1900 the bike revolutionized the
way of mass transportation in the cities
In the 1940s and 50s the bike
dominated the streets
But in the 60s the cars, trucks and busses
took over the roads
In the 1970s Copenhagen was just as car-clogged
as many other capital cities around the world
But growing environmental awareness,
made authorities and urban planners aware
of the traffic and energy problems.
Since then, bicycles became a greater part
of traffic planning
From 1982, most municipal budgets
contained funds allocated to the construction
of cycle paths, and improvements of
conditions for cyclists.
Today the bicycle is a preferred means of transport in the
Danish capital – each morning 37% of everybody going to
work or education chooses the bike
But also in Scotland there is a proud
history of bike culture.
Falkirk 1910.
Bike rally in Musselburgh
Cycling clubs were enjoying great popularity in
Scotland as the 20th century opened. For the first time,
many people could afford to buy their own transport
Cycling Danes in numbers
Copenhagen, 540.000 inhabitants – 37%
Aarhus, 310.000 inhabitants – 19%
Odense, 190.000 inhabitants – 26%
Fredericia, 50.000 inhabitants – 16%
Why do Danes cycle ?
Easy and fast – 54%
Exercise – 19%
Convenience – 7%
Financial reasons – 6%
Environment – 1%
Benefits of cycling
10% increase in cycled kilometers means:
• Healthcare savings at 9 million euro
annually
• 57,000 extra labour workdays
•61.000 extra years of life
In many cities around the world cyclism is still
regarded as an extreme sport
A bicycle in Denmark is no more than a tool; a
means of transport that helps people move
around
Danes prefer bikes that are adjusted to their
daily needs, rather than adjusting themselves to
a bike
How to generate
a cycle culture?
1. Infrastructure
2. Regulations
3. Campaigns
4. Appreciations
1. Infrastructure
“The Copenhagen lane”
First comes the footpath with
its own curb.
On the outside of this is the
cycle track also with its own
curb.
Then, the parked cars,
followed by the moving traffic.
“The Copenhagen lane”
The cycle tracks are part of a simple and
user-friendly system, where the
municipality can easily add or extend cycle
tracks according to need.
“The Copenhagen lane”
“The Copenhagen lane”
Make it clear, that bike
infrastructure is an
important part of the road
Make safe and secure
crossings and intersections.
Wrong….
Make attractive bike routes
with recreative qualities
Make shortcuts for bikes
and pedestrians
Several new bike bridges are
planned in the Copenhagen
harbour
A close coherent network of bicycle routes are
coordinated with all the major train and metro
stations
A new network of Super Cyclehighways are
planned to connect the suburbs with the city
Signs and clear communication
is important
The ”Green Wave” is
helping the bikes to get
faster trough the city
The maintenance of the
bike tracks is important
and gets high priority
80% of the cyclists bike all year round
Every bike ride begins and ends
with a parked bicycle
Plan good and well placed bike stands
Especially at the train stations,
metro and traffic terminals
Focus on good intermodality
between public transport and
bikes
Bikes as city branding
At the new Nørreport
Station in the centre of
Copenhagen, the bike
parking is one of the
main attractions
The bike parking is a
part of the
architectural concept,
and an important
part of the urban
space
2015
Nørreport station
Over ground
2. Regulation
Dedicate some streets
for pedestrians and
bikes only
Make extra space for the bikes
Make it possible to bring your bike in
Taxies, metro and trains
The combination of the train and
the bicycle is ideal, as it is both fast,
flexible and climate friendly.
Every day around 300.000 commuters travel with the
S-train, and more than 25.000 use the bike to reach
the station
.
Introduction of one-way traffic in the bike
compartments to make it easier and faster to get on and
off
A key issue to get more people to use the train/bike
combination is better bike conditions at the stations
In 2010, the number of bikes on the Danish Strains more than doubled. Almost 5 million
cyclist brought their bike on board
3. Campaigns
The development of a bike culture is
an on-going project. Campaigns are
important tools to motivate people.
Cycle courses for children
Cycle courses for children
And cycle courses for adults
Bike+train campaign in the
morgning traffic
Parking campaign with simple tools
4. Appreciation
Small things matters…..
Small things matters…..
"Hi, cyclist!
Rest your foot here and thank you for
cycling in the city”.
The next steps for
Copenhagen:
In Copenhagen at least 50% of
the population will go to work or
education by bike.
The number of injured cyclist will
drop by more than half compared to
today.
At least 80% of the cyclists will
feel safe and secure in the traffic
The Copenhagen model:
1. Infrastructure
•Focus on building safe and comfortable bike lanes
•Make a coherent network of bike routes
•Make vibrant and interesting routes
•Maintenance is important!
•And don´t forget the bike parking
2. Regulations
•Make more space for the bikes in the city - and less space for the cars
•Focus on good intermodality between public transport and bikes
3. Campaigns
•Realize that starting up a bike culture is a long project
•Tell about all the benefits of biking
•Start with the children, and don´t forget the adults
4. Appreciations
•Spoil the cyclists!
Bike culture in Denmark
Søren Arildskov Rasmussen
Partner, Architect MAA
Edinburgh, November 2012