Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark 2 3 THE WORLD'S FIRST country that, for more than a century, embassy has also simplified information has been a place of cyclists. Today, seeking about everyday cycling. CYCLING EMBASSY Denmark is a cycling laboratory where “Earlier it could be a challenge finding a new trends and ideas are combined with way into the jungle of Danish cycling International interest in Danish cycling culture has grown rapidly. As an answer knowledge gained through years of knowledge. Cycling Embassy of Denmark to this, a completely new phenomenon experience – experience that we’re more has made it easier. The main actors in the has seen the light of day. The world’s than happy to share. field of cycling are now members of the first cycling embassy: a center for Embassy, and through the Embassy’s service and knowledge for anyone One entrance to knowledge seeking information on cycling in website it is easy to get in touch with Denmark. “No other single activity can experts in different fields,” says Troels simultaneously improve general health Andersen, representing the Municipality By Lotte Ruby, Danish Cyclists conditions and fitness, reduce pollution of Fredericia, and Chairman of the Federation and CO2 emissions, and help tackle Cycling Embassy. congestion. That is why countries around Experts in all fields Congestion, obesity and climate issues: In the world now want to re-introduce the the last decade a new set of challenges bicycle as a means of daily transportation,” Today, Cycling Embassy of Denmark have emerged, and they have slowly but says Marie Magni from the private comprises experts in city planning, certainly changed the common view on company Veksø, one of the members of infrastructure, cycling promotion, parking cycling as a means of transport. Cycling is Cycling Embassy of Denmark. facilities, bicycle tourism, biking, bicycles, no longer a mere curiosity; it has become The Embassy is a comprehensive network equipment, health promotion and much part of the answer to many of the of private companies, local authorities, more. problems concerning modern life in and non-government organizations, “As a private company with years of thousands of the rapidly growing cities all working together to promote Denmark as experiences in working with urban cycling over the world. This change of view has a cycling country nationally and solutions and cycling equipment, I find turned many eyes towards Denmark – a internationally. The construction of the the Cycling Embassy an excellent ”We are actually just copying Copenhagen so it should really be us awarding a prize to the Danes instead", New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg said receiving a prize from the Cycling Embassy of Denmark in acknowledgement of New York's recent efforts for cyclists. 4 platform to develop new ideas with colleagues in other organizations. When we unite our efforts through the Embassy we can reach out much further and help each other. And of course we can also help people in other countries who want to develop a cycling culture,” says Marie Magni. Starting from scratch Building, or as is often the case, re- building a cycling culture is not an easy task. There is much more to it than simply constructing bicycle paths (or “Copenhagen lanes” as they have been named in some countries). But Denmark’s experience shows that with the right know-how it is possible to change habits and create cleaner, safer, healthier, and more liveable cities. “Many city planners, politicians and NGOs around the world begin from scratch when trying to build up a bicycle culture. One of the main goals for Cycling Embassy of Denmark is to share the experiences from Denmark and facilitate the development of attractive cycling cultures around the world. We cannot give people a cycling culture, but we can help them with ideas, share our experiences, show them the Danish Troels Andersen is one of the most experienced traffic planers in Denmark - and now also chairman of cycling solutions, and help them take the the Cycling Embassy of Denmark first important steps,” says Troels Andersen. basic level. But everybody is welcome – Contact: Ask us about everything and for us it is an endless source of Secretariat for Cycling Embassy of Cycling Embassy of Denmark was inspiration to follow the development of Denmark, launched in May 2009. Since then a huge cyclist cities all over the world,” Troels Danish Cyclists Federation number of delegations from all continents Andersen concludes. Rømersgade 5 have visited Denmark, and many more 1362 Copenhagen K have been in contact with members of the The members of the Cycling Embassy: Denmark Embassy with inquiries concerning all City of Copenhagen, City of Århus, City Att: Cycling Embassy of Denmark aspects of cycling. of Frederiksberg, City of Odense, Tel: (+ 45) 40 70 83 58 Cycling Embassy of Denmark has Fredericia Municipality, Ballerup Fax: (+ 45) 33 32 76 83 participated in various international Municipality, The Danish Two-wheel E-mail: [email protected] conferences, seminars, and exhibitions. Retailers Association, VisitDenmark, The Embassy collaborates with other Danish Cyclists Federation, Aros international organizations and Danish Communication, Reelight, Velorbis, Embassies abroad in promoting cycling. Veksø, Cowi, Gehl Architects, and the In addition to this, the Embassy helps Danish Cancer Society. plan visits to Denmark for professionals, journalists, and students interested in Further information: cycling solutions and knowledge. www.cycling-embassy.org “Some delegations have already been working with cycling for years. They are usually seeking detailed information on very specific subjects. Others come from countries with no cycling culture at all and are looking for answers on a very 5 The city of Odense participates at the EXPO 2010 in Shanghai, China with a 500 square meters exhibit explaining the city's bicycle program in words, pictures and sound. CITY OF ODENSE JOINS onto the streets at the expense of bicycles about traffic, water, heating, electricity and ultimately the environment. China is and renovation. WORLD EXPO 2010 thus facing an exceptionally large task in the coming years to safeguard the Around the exhibition and alongside the When the World Expo 2010 opens in Shanghai, the city of Odense will be environment, and here Odense can help neighbouring Shanghai and London there with its exhibition pavilion with its knowledge and experience. pavilions, a typical Danish cycle path will ‘Spinning Wheels’ along with fellow cities be constructed allowing visitors to get the such as London and Madrid. In Shanghai the challenge will be to wind in their hair. Odense has been specially invited because of its know-how and experience present the bicycle to the Chinese, who in cycling, city planning and already know plenty about the subject, in Danes say that they live in a country sustainability. another context than the one the Chinese where the bicycle reigns supreme. The know. The focus of the exhibition is that exhibition will have a bicycle park, a By Kristina Edrén, Odense Municipality cycling is more than two wheels and two special designed device counting cyclists pedals. It is just as much about image, and bicycle pumps to show how Odense For more than 30 years the two-wheeler design and health, as well as sustainability accords cyclists the same attention as has cycled around in the thoughts of the and environment. motorists. people of Odense when they have discussed city planning, environment and The pavilion is built as an open A hands-on experience for visitors health, and now their efforts have construction so that it can be seen from resonated on the other side of the globe. Odense's pavilion is built up around the surrounding pavilions and from the Hans Christian Andersen's famous bridge across the neighbouring river that When Shanghai hosts World Expo 2010, papercutting “The Sun Face”. The sun's runs through the exhibition grounds. the people of China will be able to see face itself is an open space that can be with their own eyes, a city where the used for events and theme weeks on Think! Choose! Live! citizens are crazy enough to ride their special subjects, technologies or The exhibition communicates to bicycles every day and are even proud of knowledge areas. everybody in a clear and factual way. It is it. At the exhibition the bicycle is an icon of spiced with a number of activities, screen Can Odense's message impress the the special mindset and consistency that displays and information stations to make Chinese, even though China is known for forms part of the urban planning of the communication more playful. more cyclists than any other nation. The Odense today. Quotations from Hans Christian reason for this is gas-guzzling cars, which Andersen are incorporated into the are gaining ground at a rapid pace in Radiating out from “The Sun Face” are a exhibition to support the bicycle theme. China. number of exhibition rooms, each with their own theme of cycling, city design, At its entrance, the exhibition features a Each day thousands of new cars come healthy lifestyle and eco-friendly thinking short introductory film about Odense and 6 cycling starts in childhood, and that -friendly with cycle paths, pumps and cycling is a lifestyle and not a necessity parking. Efforts have also been targeted at for Danish people. improving safety and reducing the Cycling is a natural part of everyday life number of accidents. In addition Odense and everybody cycles; visitors will gain an has run many campaigns to make people impression of this from images of cycling aware of the many new initiatives and the postmen, police officers, taxi, etc. benefits of cycling for adults and children alike. These three invitations present a number of stories ranging from the more serious The foundations for encouraging more long-term planning to personal choice cycling have thus been laid, and so the and decision, lifestyle-oriented subjects, time has naturally come to shift the focus police officers and taxi.