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Copenhagen is the most bike-friendly city in the world

Jun 16, 2017 | Society and living

Copenhagen holds onto first place in the Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly Cities Index 2017 due to massive investment in cycling as transport. A whopping 62 per cent of residents ride a bike daily to work or education in the city – just nine per cent drive.

While the competition between Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Utrecht at the top of the Index remains fierce, it is clear the Danish capital continues to further develop itself as a bicycle-friendly city.

In short, few places in the world prioritise bike-friendly innovation as much as Copenhagen does, with the city council support to back it up.

Traffic signs and light systems prioritise cyclists

Copenhagen has invested 150 million US dollars in cycling infrastructure and facilities over the past decade. It has 16 new bridges for bicycles and pedestrians built or under construction, eight of which have opened since the 2015 Index.

Since 2015 alone, Copenhagen has:

Completed Havneringen (the Harbour Ring) bicycle route allowing citizens to cycle along the whole inner harbour.
Piloted a new traffic light system that detects and prioritises cyclists.
Launched digital traffic congestion signs to improve flow through the city.
Opened new bicycle superhighway routes.

Massive public health savings

Now, 62 percent of residents ride a bike daily to work or education in the city—just nine percent drive.

And the bike in the city, regardless of topography or climate, is good business. In Copenhagen, the cycling population contributes 261 million US dollars a year in public health savings – enough to pay off the cost of protected bicycle infrastructure in under five years.

About the Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly Cities Index 2017

The Copenhagenize Bicycle Friendly Cities Index 2017 has ranked 136 global cities and identified the top 20 using 14 parameters. This is the fourth bi-annual Bicycle Friendly Cities Index. See the rankings here.

How can we help you?

If you want to know more about living and working in Greater Copenhagen, please contact Nikolaj Lubanski, Director of Talent Attraction, via email: nl@copcap.com or phone: 0045 22 16 15 11.