Théâtre du Métage de la Race, this Friday, July 1st, the Danish capital has become a model and a laboratory in terms of cyclability.
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In Copenhagen, the cyclist is king and everything adapts to him. For example, the lights of the big avenues are synchronized so that a person driving at 20 km/h passing them all to the green. But, this Friday 1 er July, the best specialists may descend the norregade – a central street – at more than 55 km/h during a time trial traced in the large streets of The Danish capital to launch this 2022 Tour de France.
At this speed, the Queen Louise bridge is quickly crossed. Forty-two thousand bikes circulate daily on the most popular cycle path in the world. In civilian clothes, the Danish runner Michael Morkov sometimes borrows him with his two children. Friday, he will pedal on his time trial bike with his Quick-Step jersey.
According to the Danish, his capital never only reflects the culture of his country. “With us, you receive a bicycle for your 3 years, you go to school with and it is often the fastest and practical way to move,” sums up the man who lives in Copenhagen with his family after a few years of ‘”exile” in Italy, at the start of his career.
“The most cycle city in the world”
The cyclist says he is “proud” to see his commune put forward with this great departure. The formula was found all for its promoters: “The most cycle city in the world for the world’s largest race.” And it did not stole it. “The French have a vision of what is a cycle city that stops in Amsterdam. Yes, Amsterdam has been a pioneer in the matter, but all studies place Copenhagen in mind on the question of cyclability,” insists Clotilde Imbert , Director France of Copenhagenize.
This Danish organization advises metropolises who wish to develop the practice of the small queen at home. “I introduced Copenhagen to delegations from Bordeaux and Montpellier and everything appeared simple, organized and safe. On their return, these agglomerations made decisions that they would never have taken without this trip. When we drive a few Days in Copenhagen, we project ourselves into the future of a city of bicycle. “
When the bankruptcy promotes the whole bike
A future that resembles the present of Copenhaguois. In 2019, Copenhagenize studied the data provided by 130 cities. Verdict? “CPH” (sound nickname) crushes the competition with 62 % of intramural daily journeys being bicycle. Amsterdam is very far from the Danish yellow jersey with its 36 %.
Other figures, the city has more bikes than inhabitants (736,600 against 638,117). Indeed, some have two or even three, like their mayor, Sophie Hæstorp Andersen. “I have a racing to ride with my friends and two others for my everyday life, confides the elected. The bike is part of the life of all the inhabitants with us! Every day, our fellow citizens take it To go to school, to work, for leisure. In the last decade, we have invested more than 100 million euros in cycling infrastructure. “
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