Bicycle mania

A plethora of assorted bikes coming at you from all directions. A relentless stream of people cycling here and there. I'd never seen anything like it. Literally. All I could do was look and marvel. The place seemed to be overrun by people on two wheels. 

As a cyclist I loved it. As a collective we loved it. Observing and looking on in the utmost bicycle admiration awe. Prior reading on the city that boasts the legacy of Hans Christian informed me that the indigenous population of Copenhagen loved bikes. But on seeing it with my own eyes - this was more than forcefully reiterated to me. Racers, town bikes, vintage, fixed gear. Then add the rest. Hundreds, thousands, millions. Unrelenting. Stationary bikes littered on every corner. Demanding our attention. Congregating like gangs of brandish youths. Stalking the outside of shops, cafes, every building you could see there would be an almost obligatory bicycle. Propped up nonchalantly. Look at me. No, look at me. 

It was more than apparent that both the young and old enjoyed the delight that is cycling. The Copenhagen terrain is perfectly conducive for it. Flat, spacious and the roads being in splendid condition. For the indulgent bike riders out there then this has to be the equivalent of cycling heaven. 

Unlike the UK it's obvious that the Danish government has pumped a lot of krone into its bicycle culture. 10-20 million a year goes on planning, infrastructure, improvements and bike programmes. Copenhagen has one of the most effective and successful community cycling initiatives in Europe. Cheaper, and fundamentally more accessible and much better for the environment. This is just a way of life for these people. Perhaps a reason why the Danes are predisposed to the rouge cheeked look. However, their alcoholic consumption could also be a reason as to why their capillaries may have turned red. Cars, of course you will see them - but not as much as the myriad of bikes that monopolise the roads.

You can almost imagine that it has been indoctrinated into the Danish psyche that you must ride a bicycle. Alongside being pleasant and having an eloquent grasp of English. The unofficial instructions are to cycle and drink beer. Perhaps not at the same time, though. I guess every nation or city has things that are synonymous to them and on arriving in this charming city cycling is easily one of the things that instantly stood out. 

People may say that Amsterdam is the bike capital of Europe, and although I am yet to visit that place I literally find it incredibly hard to imagine that it could harbour more bikes than in Copenhagen.  

Demola, TCC  (photo) David, TCC