Lessons learned from workshop and site visit Site visit: Copenhagen (Denmark) - September 2014

October/November 2014

The sole responsibility for the content of this publication etc lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EACI nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Work Package 2 Deliverable 2.3 Grant agreement number: IEE/13/497/SI2.675773 Project acronym: BiTiBi Project title: Easy and energy efficient from door to door Bike+Train+Bike Document name: D2.3_BiTiBi_lessons_learned_from_CPH_IV_HN_20141208 Author: inno-V (Henk Nanninga) with contributions by Copenhagenize Design Co. (Mikael Colville-Andersen and Clotilde Imbert) Photos: Henk Nanninga, Copenhagenize, Google Streetview, Ursula Bach, Ole Malling, Procsilas. Streetsblog.org, GoBike, Betweenyellowandblue.wordpress.com Contents: Lessons learned from the second BiTiBi knowledge exchange workshop and study tour on September 25 and 26, 2014 in Copenhagen (DK), easy to read-relevant report. Target group: Public version for rail and bike operators and other stakeholders (local and regional authorities, mobility consultancies)

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Contents 1 IMPRESSIONS OF CYCLING IN COPENHAGEN

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1.1

High quantities of cyclists

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1.2

Quality of life – low amount of scooters

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1.3

Cycle parking in general

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1.4

Quality of bicycle racks

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1.5

Cycle parking at railway stations

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1.6

Bike sharing

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1.7

Taking bikes on train and ferry



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1.8

Cycling super highways

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1.9

One-way cycling lanes

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1.10

Signposting

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1.11

Foot rests at crossings with traffic lights

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1.12

Traffic lights – turning right

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1.13

Traffic lights – turning left

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1.14

Green wave for cyclists

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Iconic infrastructure

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1.16

Traffic signs and marking of cycle lanes

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1.17

Quality of bikes

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1.18

Cycling behavior

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1.19

Illegal parking on bicycle lanes

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1.20

Safety

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COMPARISON OF COPENHAGEN AND AMSTERDAM

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2.1

The results of the comparison

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2.2

The conclusions of the comparis on

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1. IMPRESSIONS OF CYCLING IN COPENHAGEN 1.1 High levels of cyclists Over 36,000 cyclists per day on one of the main routes (Nørrebrogade). 29% of all trips in Copenhagen are by bike, which is the same as Amsterdam. Measured in commuting, 41% of people arriving at work or education in the City of Copenhagen arrive by bicycle. Of the citizens of the city itself, 60% use a bicycle each day. Farther out in the surrounding suburbs, however, the number can fall to 10%.

1.2 Quality of life – low number of scooters Compared to Amsterdam there’s are very few scooters on cycle tracks. Car use in the city is low – only 12% of citizens of the City of Copenhagen use a car each day and only 29% of households own a car.

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1.3 Cycle Parking in General Bike parking close to the platform of a metro station, in this case, Kongens Nytorv.

1.4 Quality of Bike Racks Like most municipalities in Denmark, front wheel racks are the standard in Copenhagen. Copenhageners only use a wheel lock on their back wheel so cities do not need to have racks that let you lock your frame to it. This is unique to Denmark. In other countries such racks are sometimes called «wheelbenders» and racks that allow you to lock the frame to them are preferred.

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1.5 Cycle parking at railway stations There’s a significant lack of bike parking capacity at the Copenhagen’s Central Station. Only 900 parking spots for bikes. (photo right: Procsilas)

Two tier bike parking at railway stations to increase capacity. (photo left: Google Streetview; right: Streetsblog.org)

1.6 Bike Sharing The extremely expensive and high-tech GoBike has been a failure since its launch in Spring 2014. The Dutch OV-fiets is a much more simple design and it’s a nationwide scheme. (photo: GoBike).

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1.7 Taking bikes on train and ferry The harbour busses can accommodate bikes, but for a small fee.

Taking your bike on the S-trains that serve the entire greater Copenhagen is free (photos: Copenhagenize)

1.8 Bicycle Superhighways Two examples of cycling super highways (photo left: Ursula Bach; right: Google Streetview)

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1.9 One-way Cycle Tracks Most major streets have one-way cycle tracks. Bi-directional tracks are more dangerous, because cars don’t expect cyclists from the opposite direction. Bi-directional cycle tracks are only used on routes with no crossings, like along canals. (photo: Streetsblog.org)

1.10 Sign Posting Denmark was the first country in the world to develop a national cycling route network in 1991. Some signs are visible in the city centre, but most signage is outside the cities. We didn’t, however, see local signs with, for example, information like: “Railway station 2 km”.

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1.11 Foot rests at crossings with traffic lights A very kind facility for cyclists are the footrests and railings at intersections; they are very helpful when waiting at traffic lights (photo: Ursula Bach)

1.12 Traffic lights – turning right There are ten intersections in the city that allow for turning right on red with a cycle track that avoids cars and more are planned. At busy intersections without, due to bicycle congestion, many people cut across the sidewalk.

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1.13 Traffic Lights - Turning Left The “Copenhagen Left” or the “box turn” is the standardizsed way to turn left. It is not necessary to wait for the light to turn green – cyclists can continue if the coast is clear. Very few people do, being content to wait for the light to change. A separate traffic light for cyclists who want to turn left or a separate phase in the traffic lights with “all cyclists have green at the same time” isn’t available.

1.14 Green wave for cyclists The first ‘green wave’ in the world especially for cyclists is on Nørrebrogade. It’s about 4 km long and now all the major arteries leading to the city center feature the green wave. The lights are coordinated for 20 km/h and cyclists rarely have to stop when commuting on these routes.

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1.15 Iconic infrastructure An example of iconic bicycle infrastructure Cykelslangen, translated into English: “bicycle snake” (photo: Ole Malling)

The Cykelslangen is a fast, easy and cool way to cross the harbour area (photo: Ole Malling)

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1.16 Traffic signs and marking of cycle lanes In the Netherlands a traffic sign featuring a bike is required for cycle paths. Red asphalt and a bicycle pictogram are also used. Owners of illegally parked cars can only be fined if these are in place. According to Danish traffic law, all you need is a bicycle pictogram on the cycle track or bike lane. Because of the comprehensive network, the City doesn’t have a lot of signage. Bike lanes and cycle tracks do not have a separate colour. (photos: Google Streetview)

1.17 Quality of bikes It seems the quality of bicycles in Copenhagen is higher than in Amsterdam due to a higher standard of living and the well-designed, universal insurance system. Danes spend €150 more, on average on a new bicycle than the Dutch. A wider selection of bicycle design also results in a higher average speed.

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1.18 Cycling behavior When you are stopping or turning left or right? It is not obligatory to signal, but many people do. These signs are shown above. And with the high level of bicycles on the city’s cycle tracks, it’s needed.

1.19 Illegal parking on bicycle lanes Like everywhere, there are instances of illegal stopping on cycle tracks. Here on Nørrebrogade (photo: Google Streetview)

1.20 Safety Many parents ride with their children during the peak hours. Helmet usage is high among children due to intense helmet promotion, even though Copenhagen is extremely safe to cycle in.

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COMPARISON OF COPENHAGEN AND AMSTERDAM

We tried to make a (friendly and non-scientific) comparison between the two cities of the cycling culture, quantities and qualities of cycles and cycle infrastructure. This table gives the results.

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2.1 The Result of the Comparison The results of this (friendly and non-scientific) comparison are:

2.2 The Conclusions of the Comparison In this friendly competition -without any intention to be scientific- it’s almost an ex eaquo. Though Amsterdam has two points more, Copenhagen is a very close runner-up. Let’s say it’s a draw.

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