Copenhagen Wins Denmark Vs the Netherlands the Image of Cycling 10
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Cycling A special edition of the magazine of the Fietsersbond, the Dutch Cyclists’ Union Cities Copenhagen wins Denmark vs the Netherlands The image of cycling 10 14 Editorial Formula Copenhagen invests heavily in cycling facilities. Not because ‘them’ at city hall particu- larly like bicycles, but because Copenhagen has discovered that all those cyclists turn the city into a pleasant place to live. The benefits are obvious: a bicycle doesn’t pollute, cyclists don’t cause any traffic congestion and they are fitter too. Copenhagen is full of cyclists now. Nearly four in ten commuters cycle into work, and the city wants half of the residents to use their bikes in six years’ time. The ambitions are infectious. It’s nearly a full day’s work for council officials to speak to delegations from all over the world. Me- tropolises across the globe are faced with pollution, congestions and obesity. Denmark is not the only country with a lot of cyclists; in the Netherlands too, bicycles are a normal part of daily life. Everyone has a bicycle and uses it to get to work, the shops, the nursery or school. The bicycle is so commonplace, that we in the Netherlands would almost forget that it’s something special. With their successful cycling policies, the Netherlands and Denmark offer the world a formula that turns the city into a habitable and attractive place. Michiel Slütter Chief Editor of the Vogelvrije Fietser, the magazine of the Dutch Cyclists’ Union [email protected] Cycling Cities 2 december 2009 38 26 4 ‘The ultimate 10 Copenhagenize.com 22 35th anniversary cycling city’ of the Fietsersbond Three years ago, Mikael Colville- Copenhagen cherishes its cyclists. Andersen placed a photograph of Ever since its foundation in 1975, The ambitions are infectious. Local an ordinary cycling woman on his the Fietsersbond (Dutch Cyclists’ governments around the world now blog. He is currently the uncrowned Union) has argued for priority for want to Copenhagenize their cities. cycling ambassador of Copenhagen. cyclists coming from the right. It was not until 2001 that this traffic 8 Denmark versus 14 ‘We’ve caught up rule was passed. The cycling policy: the Netherlands with Amsterdam’ who will hold out longest? There are big differences between the He was already known as an actor 26 Bicycle campaign Danish and Dutch cycling cultures. in a popular Danish TV series. Cycling side-by-side is ‘not-done’ in Klaus Bondam was responsible for Many Dutch people are on unhealthy Copenhagen. the cycling policy of the past three diets and exercise too little. In order years. And boy, don’t the citizens of to turn the tide a large-scale and 9 Fastest carrier Copenhagen know it. long-term behavioural campaign bicycle will start in 2010: ‘We want to boost 18 Gehl Architects the image of cycling’ The Bullitt is perhaps the fastest carrier bicycle in the world. Bicycle Gehl Architects advises cities such as 28 I-CE supports couriers just love them. But Danish New York, London, Mexico City and cycling pioneers mothers still have to get used to them Melbourne how to make these cities more sustainable. The bicycle plays Cycling enthusiasts from India, an important role in each plan. Brazil and Botswana come to the Netherlands for inspiration. ‘At least now I know I’m not the only one.’ december 2009 3 Cycling Cities Copenhagen, ‘the ultimate cycling city’ Copenhagen cherishes its cyclists. ‘We’d be mad not to promote cycling.’ The ambitions are infectious. Local governments around the world now want to Copenhagenize their cities. Text: Officials and politicians from Ame- Netherlands to show the world the Michiel Slütter rican cities were extremely relieved way in terms of cycling. Photography: when they saw six-lane roads in Michiel Slütter Copenhagen. They’ve also got those Most popular back home, but still the Danes ma- Instead it’s the Danes who get all the naged to get them on a bike. That international attention. For years, gave them hope. ‘Before that, the people around the world obviously Americans had visited Amsterdam’, thought that Amsterdam was the says Andreas Rohl, who is respon- ultimate cycling city. But now sible for the Copenhagen cycling they’re starting to look at Copen- policy. ‘They thought Amsterdam hagen. A BBC programme shot last was something out of a fairytale, year, called Copenhagen ‘the most whereas Copenhagen was more popular place in Europe for cyclists’. realistic.’ A city such as Amsterdam CNN and ABC camera crews are with its narrow streets is perfect also scouring the Copenhagen cycle for cycling. But what can you do tracks for news about the city that in a city that has easy car access, wherever you go? Still, Copenhagen managed to pull it off, and the Ame- Copenhagen special ricans see the Danish approach as a In December 2009, the eyes of the world are focused on Copenhagen source of inspiration. because of the climate conference. Delegations and the international Cycling is popular among officials press will not have escaped the fact that many Danes use the bicycle, and politicians around the world an entirely CO2-neutral mode of transport. That’s not a coincidence, as in terms of solving big city and the city is really committing itself to cyclists. In six years’ time, half of everyday life issues, such as obesity, commuters are expected to use their bikes. This refreshing cycling policy congestion and pollution. A lot of is a source of inspiration. Cities around the world have started a Copen- metropolises have enthusiastically hagenisation process. The Vogelvrije Fietser tried to unravel the secret of set up cycling projects. That interest Copenhagen’s success and interviewed the mayor, a cult-blogger and a should be the opportunity for the city planner. Cycling Cities 4 december 2009 Photo : Mikael Colville-Andersen/copenhagenize.com aims to be ‘the world’s best city for cyclists’. The attention is well-deserved. Co- penhagen is not just about ambitious words, it actually does a lot for its cyclists. The city’s policy documents are void of any moaning about poorly parked bikes or anarchistic road behaviour. The city cherishes its cyclists, it listens to the cy- clist’s wishes. The reason? The city wants to get more people onto their bikes. At the moment, 37 per cent of commuters working or studying in Copenhagen use their bicycle. The target for 2015 is 50 per cent. ‘I’m sure we’re going to achieve it’, says Klaus Bondam. He is the ‘technical and environmental mayor’ of Copenhagen, a kind of alderman. After the main mayoralty, his posi- tion is one of the most prestigious on the city council. Bondam has cre- ated a distinct profile for himself in terms of cycling policy, and he has managed to find a council majority for his ambitious objectives. How does he feel about Amsterdam losing its glory? ‘We used to say that we were in friendly competi- tion with Amsterdam, but with the december 2009 5 Cycling Cities elections around the corner, I’d say: we’ve caught up with Amsterdam.’ Klaus Bondam laughs when saying this, but there’s a serious undertone. He wants to market the Copenha- gen approach. ‘Us Danes used to be introverted people. I decided that it was time for a strong international strategy.’ The secret But first: what’s the secret of Copen- hagen? Its current cyclist-friendly climate started with pedestrians. In Every cyclist is 1962, Danish town planner Jan Gehl counted on the proposed to pedestrianise one inner- Dronning Louises city street, by way of experiment. Bro. Shopkeepers complained, but they were assured that this was only an experiment. Gehl was going to keep interviewed Helle Søholt, one of the prices shot up’, says Søholt. ‘You an accurate check on the number of agency’s co-founders, about Gehl’s weren’t allowed to drive on Sundays, visitors. He believed that pedestri- urban development approach. ‘The and a number plate system allowed anised areas would make the city a pedestrianised area changed the city only half of cars into the city at a better place to live in. The experi- culture’, says Søholt. ‘Slowly but su- time.’ The citizens revolted. They ment was a success, and figures sho- rely, the car lost ground. Suddenly, weren’t angry about the fact that wed that shopkeepers had more than people in the city became visible motorised traffic was curtailed, but their fair share of shoppers. In fact, again. A city where people can look they did demand a decent alterna- the number of shoppers increased each other in the eyes is a friendly tive and asked for cycling facilities. fivefold. Most of the old city centre city.’ ‘Sustainability, soft mobility (i.e. is now car-free. walking and cycling), was a hot Based on his philosophy of a liveable Oil crisis item. You could say that the crisis and accessible city, Gehl set up The bicycle came into view in the was a blessing for the city.’ an urban development agency. We seventies. ‘Due to the oil crisis, What followed was a frenzied cycle track construction project. Søholt stresses that there was no all- Facts and figures encompassing master plan. ‘It grew organically.’ Each time something - Of all commuters who come to Copenhagen to work or study, 37 per cent was constructed, they tested whether use their bikes. it worked. Only the facts count, you - But, 55 per cent of the population of the municipality of Copenhagen cycle have to know how many cyclists use into work, school or university. a certain cycle track.