Denmark is a country of cyclists
Denmark is a country of cyclists. With a 100-year old cycling tradition, the bicycle occupies a strong position as a means of transportation in Denmark. In Copenhagen, for example, the bicycle is used by more than 1 in 3 commuters to work and education.
No other means of transportation combines fast and inexpensive transport with a desire for sustainable development and improvement of public health as the bicycle. In the major cities, the bicycle is often a faster means of transportation than the car.
In Denmark, the bicycle is for each and everyone. Cycling is considered prestigious and trendy by many people, as it sends a message of a healthy lifestyle and environmental consciousness. Moreover, cycling to work and education is one of the most common ways of exercise and cycling is a natural part of most Danes’ everyday life, whether young or old.
The Danish bicycle culture has been nurtured by a holistic approach to trans-port policy and urban planning. Creating urban environments with a lot of bicycles is often seen as a means to create more lively and livable urban centres. Cycling has therefore been an integral part of infrastructure development in cities and towns with continuous investments in cycle paths, cycle routes and cycle parking.
In order to maintain and further develop a sustainable society, the bicycle must continue to play a central role as a means of transportation. It is important that the number of people who use the bicycle for short city trips increases. Trips of a distance of 10 kilometers or less one way, account for 68 per cent of all trips in Denmark. Thus, there is great potential for increased cycling in the cities.
If more people decide to park the car and use the bicycle, it will not only reduce problems related to road congestion in urban areas, but also improve public health and the environment, as well as reduce CO2 emissions.
Investment in cycling is profitable for society as a whole. Employees who cycle to work have fewer sick days and are more energetic than employees who do not exercise on a regular basis. This is of course beneficial not only to the individual, but also to companies and health authorities.
The Danish government’s aim is to maintain and further develop Denmark’s position as one of the world’s top cycling nations. Therefore, an ambitious cycling policy was launched in January 2009 as part of a larger green transport agreement.
For the period 2009-2014, the Danish government will allocate 1 billion Dkk (US$ 180 million / € 133 million) to improve conditions for bicyclists and make the bicycle an even more attractive means of transportation. Considering that the population of Denmark is 5,3 million, this is a considerable amount of money. In the United States with a population of approximately 300 million, the comparable amount of money allocated would be US$ 10.8 billion / € 8 billion.
The government’s policy is targeted at providing financial support for coherent and innovative bicycle projects in cities and towns, enterprises and organizations, which significantly contribute to developing local bicycle traffic, including bicycle commuting. The objective is to create a number of cycle cities and cycle towns.
Specifically, the government will help fund these projects with 30 per cent of the total cost, and in special circumstances 50 per cent if the project contains considerable innovative elements. The possibility of partial government funding creates a basis for investments in bicycle projects at a total amount of 2 bil-lion Dkk (US$ 360 million) for the period 2009-2014. This should contribute to reducing road congestion in urban areas, improve public health and the environment, and not least reduce CO2 emissions in Denmark.