How to Bike in Copenhagen
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- Опубликовано: 23 авг 2024
- You are heading to Copenhagen to study abroad and you want to bike like a local. Learn all about Danish biking rules - from what to do...to what not to do...with Benji as he bikes you through Copenhagen.
Special Thanks
This video was filmed and edited by Fall 2016 DIS Alumnus Benji Cooper: www.benjicooper.com.
Additional filming and acting by Zachary 'Reggie' Sanderson and Eric 'thicc' Kil.
Music by enoe: "Advanced Basecamp", 2011 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution (3.0)
About DIS
DIS is a non-profit study abroad foundation established in Denmark in 1959, with locations in Copenhagen and Stockholm. DIS provides semester, academic year, and summer programs taught in English, and offers high-impact learning experiences for upper-division undergraduate students from distinguished North American colleges and universities. The intellectually challenging curriculum is broad, cutting edge, and enriched by experiential learning components, including faculty-led study tours across Europe. It provides students with opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement and personal growth, which is further enriched through housing and extracurricular offerings.
Visit us at DISabroad.org/copenhagen
As a Danish Person, I love that a lot of my kind is breaking the rules, as they are beeing listed. So realistic.
Besides the fine, it should be written into the law that it also carried a 100 mandatory, views of this video. What is missing in this video is three other common violations: It is only allowed to ride two, side by side when not overtaking, if it is of no inconvenience to other cyclists or cars! secondly, it is not allowed to overtake at intersections, regardless of the que being stationary or not. This is also prime asholery to everybody else! Cyclists are only allowed to overtake on the inside of other vehicles on straights, and bends, not any closer than 5-10 m before an intersection.
As Dane haha what feeling you got when you are Danish
@@Tore_Lund Also it is illegale to be more then one adult person on a "normal" bike. So no riding backsies ;)
@@Tore_Lund I"have been doing it wrong then, using intersections as best spots for overtaking :D
@@iam.damian The reason it is outlawed is because it is too complex to both pay notice to possible crossing traffic and look if someone goes straight from a turn lane or if someone is overtaking. Too many hard angles in different directions to observe at once. So better to only have to concentrate on your lane ahead and what might come from your right and not have to worry about your left side.
Just moved to Copenhagen and this video is really useful. Thanks a lot! I was definitely confused about turning left and the stop signal.
Just squeeze in between to cars and follow them.
I just got my bike this week and have been a bit nervous to start using it, but this video has helped ease those fears 😬
Thanks! You saved a lot of turists lives with this one.
Danes need to watch this too!!
A moment of silence for the sacrifice of the Dummy Phone. RIP
When turning left, you do not need to wait for the other light to turn green, but you may not get in the way of anybody traveling in your original direction (or opposite). Most people do it the way you describe, and it's definitely safer.
I never understood why this wasn't taught in school. We had a lot of bike training and nobody ever told us the left turn was legal
A good guide... But just too clarify:
You're not required to wear a helmet. Something a lot of Danes don't find necessary or just don't want... And the government chose to let people decide for themselves as to not discourage the use of bikes.
But you are required to have a bell and use lights when its dark ;)
The number of head injuries is more than twice as high for pedestrians as it is for cyclists. That is why, statistics are against it. While wearing a helmet is a good idea, making it mandatory, would make people revolt if they had to wear it always, on foot also.
Dutch people don't wear helmets. 'Helmets are for the Germans' we say.
Regarding turning left in a junction. It is not illegal to turn left without stopping at the corner and waiting for the green ligth, you just have to wait for the car traffic. Also you can't use the car lanes. The rule is just something we learn children so they are more safe in traffic because they don't necessarily have the same overview of traffic as experienced cyclists do. Anyways, most people do stop at the corner waiting for the green light, as it is a more carefree way of going around
I dont think thats right.
look it up or keep living in fear
Crossing a junction with traffic light and on a bike, the "Twice Over" routine is, in fact the only legal way of doing it.
And indeed, you are not allowed to use car lanes either.
If there's no traffic in your way, you can turn directly, this is from the Danish traffic code: Færdselsloven kapitel 7 paragraf 49 stk 3: "Cyklist, der ønsker at svinge til venstre, skal fortsætte gennem krydset til dets modsatte side og må først foretage svingningen, når det kan ske uden ulempe for den øvrige færdsel."
@@gammelfjaes
Og hvis du havde taget resten med, og de relevante øvrige paragraffer, havde du hurtigt opdaget, at nej, det må du ikke. Du må kun svinge venstre, når du har nået den krydsende vejbanes inderste punkt (kantstenen ved den vejbane du skal videre af), uden til gene eller til fare for andre, og kun hvis der ikke er signaler som ellers skal følges. Du må kun bruge inderste vejbane og skal holde til højre, til hver en tid (medmindre du ikke kan overhale anderledes (og ja, cyklister må gerne overhale højre om) og ikke er til gene eller til fare for andre). Undtagelsen her er i højresvingsbaner, hvor du er tilladt at lægge dig yderst, i *den* bane. Du må aldrig svinge til venstre anderledes.
Mate, you need a yellow reflector in each wheel (attached to the spokes). It's missing on the bike in the video 🙂. Also, might be worth mentioning, that the bike is required to have a white replector visible from the front, a red reflector visible from the back, and two yellow ones moving, visible from the back (typically on the pedals). Otherwise, I think you covered it. Good job.
You inspired me to make a How to bike in New York video!!! :)
How is that video going?
Can you give a link?
Stay Safe.
If you made such a video i would sure like to see it
He never said wearing a helmet is the law. I think it's recommended by the program that he is doing this for and that's why it was included.
Yeah helmets are not common - but yes, this was scripted by DIS, so includes all their recommendations.
I don't think it's a bad idea for foreigners to wear a helmet. Some tourists can actually ride the bike fairly decent, but most you can spot a mile away and they are often times a danger to themselves. Among the people I know here in copenhagen we all adhere to the same rule: You don't ride with the tourists, you owertake or stay way behind. That way nobody gets hurt. Some may be startlet, but they'll live :)
@@BCooperPhotography Who are this DISinformation outfit that put helmet-wearing as the number one bit of advice in Copenhagen? That's pretty embarassing. I assumed this was a pisstake to start with.
Someone with a brain would want to protect it. If you don't care - nothing to loose obviously.
@@WiredEarph As a recent tourist myself, my rule was 'stay on you right, drive calmly and avoid danes'. Too many of them are aggressive cyclists and don't respect their own rules. BTW I cycle everyday in my hometown, so I know what I'm talking about.
Thanks for this very funny yet educating video! I might be riding my bike through Copenhagen this fall.
Glad it was helpful!
it was really fun to watch, nice vid :D
Just moved to Denmark. This video was really useful. Thanks!!
Glad it was helpful!
Muy bueno. Gracias
The stop signal was new to me, haha was a bit surprised when first riding here
Using the pedestrian crossings at intersection is also illegal. Even when you get in to position for a left turn (the last part appears unknown to a lot of my fellow Danes though).
As for being fined, the traffic department of the police tend to focus most of its officers' attention on speeding violations by cars. A shame really... I loathe a significant portion of cyclists in CPH.
As he says in the video. Left turns are not allowed by cyclists at all at intersections, for that very reason.
Thanks for a great film :-) Love it :-)
This is a great and well done video. Thank you
1:49 Turning right when it's red is illegal, and it's 100% legal to take a big left turn as long as the road is clear, or go and wait on the other side, and then just take off, when the intersection is free (even if the light in your new direction is red).
do you have any other videos on Copenhagen? I'm thinking of moving there
I'm curious as a Dane, how easy is it to move here?
Great video! Thank you!
Really helpful - THANKS!
a cop won't stop you if you don't have a helmet nor lights because they will be to busy
and if anyone is wondering 1000KR = $125
They will give you a fine for lights! I just got one, sadly :'(
Definitely they will fine you for lights.
Helmets are not mandatory so of course no one can fine you.
That's an expensive dollar!
Go to NL mate. 🇳🇱🚲👍
There is actually nothing in the traffic law that makes turning left illigal. But its just not very smart to do, since its super dangerous. So its not recommended, but you can do it if you are carefull and there is no-one around.
There actually is a paragraph in the law: Left turns are only allowed if you are of no inconvenience to others. That means it is allowed on an empty road, but almost never in a big city.
What a nice film!!!
please would you like to make a video about riding in Algiers
Great video! Funny and useful :)
i think i say in uk , those danish bike fines are way bit to steep for me lol
Im surpised you arnt riding a dutch style bike
After see this video i think i just walk when i visit there....
À Copenhague et ... ailleurs !
An acquaintance of mine who's studying in Denmark told me that she got a 100 EUR fine for cycling on an off-road walking path. That's crazy. :D
We adhere to rules in Northern Europe which is one of the main reasons we have a strong, coherent society. People in Copenhagen also stop at red lights at crosswalks even when no cars are coming. The "every man for himself " attitude is not encouraged here. I hope that makes sense.
Could also be because of nature protection laws. Bikes are not allowed on forest tracks a lot of places.
@dis - study abroad
Now its getting legal to ride the ride light when you're turning right ;)
No it is not. there no changes to the traffic code. However it has been tested under special exempt at certain intersections, but it is not "becoming" legal. Legislation is not a creep process.
You definitely dont need to use a helmet here. You can if you want to, but most Danes dont touch that shit.
And as for heavy bags off your front handlebars - thats been my way of doing shopping all my life :D Not fallen once.
Also, regarding the fines, many of those are really just theoretical. The most common fine is for not biking without lights (which coincidentally you missed) - now that one they enforce. Otherwise you really have to be a menace before they will fine you for something else. I guess biking up the wrong way on a bike lane is another they fine you for, otherwise I dont really know anyone who got fined for any of the others.
So, cycling in Copenhagen is safe. That's why using a helmet would be stupid. I saw you commenting in other videos related to this. There is a Mikael Colville talk, where he explains why people shouldn't wear helmets. He's right in most of what he said, but I think a helmet could help you a lot, at least in the rest of the world (where cars are the vehicles of transport par excellence). I know a helmet won't save your life in a serious accident, but it's better safe than sorry. I'd really like to visit Copenhagen someday, where urban cycling is a lifestyle. Greetings from South America!
And I hope you get the chance! Though you might be disappointed by the weather though. If you do come, definitely aim for the summer :)
Regarding helmets, I hear what you are saying. Since posting this, I have read more and found increasingly conflicting evidence. So right now, the only position I have with certainty is that helmets should not be mandatory. Beyond that, I will refrain from further opinions.
Thanks man! :) And, I agree, helmets shouldn't be mandatory. People should use them according to their realities, you might not need them at all, but it some other places it would really make a difference, that's what I think.
According to Dr. Ian Walker studies (university of Bath), cars overtake you closer if you wear a helmet ;)
@Alan Frost - You write 'not biking without lights'. Not biking would be something like walking. I have never had a fine or heard about anybody that had a fine for walking without lights 😉
Hej, it was very nice vdo, but I don't get what's wrong with the one in 2:26?
You should stay in the right side of the bikelane, in case another cyclist wants to pass you (but most people will use their bell in case of overtaking). However, I have NEVER heard of anyone being fined for biking in the left side for too long!
* Laughs in Dutch *
The fines are there in the system, which is true.
However, most times only the driving without light when dark will land you in trouble if caught.
Using helmet is not mandatory. It is a good idea but only if you are a child or belong to the riders who ride kind of fast. A helmet will not help against the worst type of accident, which is usually being run over by a truck or bus at a right turn corner.
Riding with groceries on the handlebars is not recommended on modern bikes but used to be fairly normal on the older style bikes we affectionately call iron horses.
Apart from that, biking in Copenhagen is just about being observant, stay focused, alert and be considerate.
When turning left at a crossing you do need to traverse to the opposite side, but you do NOT need to wait for green to cross over. Cross whenever the coast is clear.
Which would then correctly be seen as running a red light. Learn the laws and stop giving stupid advice.
You can actually turn left in an intersection. As long as you are not in the way of opposing traffic. So it's legal, just be mindful of your surroundings.
Not just opposing traffic, any traffic, that includes other cars also turning left from the opposite direction. This is how it is written in the law.
Well edited, sir! I find it curious that scandanavians and germans who don't wear helmets on bicycles, wear helmets to ski! (Snow is softer than pavement! Maybe it's the speed)
Scandinavians and Germans don't use helmets while cycling because it's just a slow paced way of getting around. The everyday-cyclist don't see it as a dangerous sport. So yeah it's the speed ;)
With that said, we do have our fair share of those annoying "exercise cyclists" who mostly go quite fast. I don't think I've ever seen one of those not wear a helmet.
Thanks! I'm in San Francisco where cars run stop signs and generally do look out for bicycles or pedestrians. A car's turn signal or 'blinker' is simple to use, but rarely used. A cyclist must ride defensively here and constantly look left and right to avoid being hit.
It is not just the speed. It's also that we bike so often., we feel we have more control. We are simply better at biking than at skiing.
...Also the speed.
Good information. As a dane, i didnt know about the fine for biking on pavement 😲
Read the traffic law, it is only 40 pages. and you'll discover that same rules apply to cars and cyclists alike: You can't change lane or overtake at an intersection, you simply have to stay put in the order you arrive at the red light. That includes not sneaking around cars or cyclists and cross the stop line. If you do that, you are guilty of 3 violations at once and will be fined around 3000 kr. The only things different for cyclists are: #1 You can legally drive next to 1 other cyclist, if it is of no inconvenience to others, (that excludes Copenhagen where you'll always be in the way of somebody else) #2 you are allowed to overtake on the inside of a slow moving vehicle, if on a straight or bend, but nowhere a side road or intersection as stated earlier.
det ka’ da ik’ være så svært!
You'll also get fined if you cycle without lights after dark, and also it's strictly illegal to ride your bike while drunk or otherwise intoxicated. Not wearing a helmet isn't illegal, but it is dumb. That doesn't stop a lot of danes though tbh.
Its not really dumb to not wear a helmet becouse its safer, becouse a helmet doesn't help you not get into an accident and it gives you a false sense of security and it makes you get into more accidents.
@@Lunavii_Cellest No it doesn't? You obviously don't get into more accidents by wearing a helmet, that's like saying you crash your car more often if you wear a seatbelt. But with a helmet you DO make sure you don't crack your head open on the pavement if you do crash.
@@em8842 when wearing a helmet you are way more likely too end up in a crash becouse you are more likely to take more risks. And a helmet in a lot of crashes do nothing since it doesn't matter if you are being hit by a car going 80 with or without a helmet. Also seatbelts are different, they prevent you flying out of the car when getting in an accident but a helmet doesn't.
@@Lunavii_Cellest Lmao WHO takes more risks cycling with a helmet? I certainly don't. And no, of course a helmet won't help you if you get rammed into by a huge truck. But there are a lot more ways to hurt yourself on a bike where it WILL help you, like slipping on ice, hitting the curb, going over the handle bars, etc.
Example: When I was 11, my brother accidentally hit my back wheel with his front wheel and I crashed and was thrown off. I smacked, head first, against the curb, and my helmet cracked right down the middle - but my head didn't.
"strictly illegal" I don't know how "strict" the Danes are compared to the Dutch, but here it is also "strictly illegal" to be drunk on a bike. I've never heard of someone fined for it.
Danes do not wear helmets.
Unfortunately some 30% do now. I have no idea why.
I don't wear a helmet, but what the fuck is this comment? "Unfortunately"? And you have no idea why?
Because it sends an unfortunate signal: namely that cycling is dangerous. Which it isn't.
What planet do you live on mate?
Biking isn't dangerous - getting hit by a car, crashing 'cause others are careless, or just bad luck, can be though.
Helmets are for protecting your head when/if you crash - taking a head-first fall onto pavement from even a stand-still can chip your skull, concuss you, or in worst case cause a cranial haemorrhage - amplify that with going 15-20kph, you're gonna have a bad time
Yes, getting hit by a car when you're out walking, falling down a flight of stairs, slipping in your bathroom and hitting your head on the sink - these bad luck accidents can all be fatal.
I recently had a bad fall on my bike and tore up my elbow. First thing people ask: Were you wearing a helmet? (The answer is no - then my head would have been heavier and about 30% bigger and it might have hit the ground.) But apparently I should have been wearing elbow protectors: imageshack.com/a/img922/2550/C8tsrZ.jpg
My aunt recently fell down a step ladder and cracked her skull open - does anyone ask her if she was wearing a helmet? Strangely, they don't. Though clearly she had more reason to do it than I had.
Did you wear that helmet as an additional humorous element of your video? The rest was mildly mirthsome. I've heard or read somewhere that helmet wearers are given less space and respect by motorists than that given to naked headers or those wearing alternative head gear. Dublin, a city of comparable size to Copenhagen, has 100,000 bicycle commuters every morning. However, our pedestrian and cycling infrastructure is appalling by comparison. Hence the lower numbers using bikes, no doubt.
Wearing a helmet will make you stand out as the English prat from nanny-state Britain.
Indeed!
not in copenhagen, rather thhe other way around
safety before looks, dont wonna get hurt or make someone a killer..
What do you mean "not in Copenhagen"? Most cyclists here do not wear helmets. I dont know the exact statistics, but the large majority of us dont use those things.
And Daniel, if its safety before looks, I sure hope you wear a helmet in the car or when walking... cant be too careful right?
Alan Frost. Don't give him ideas. Jobs-worths (and the nanny-state they love) need little encouragement to enforce more laws to take away what little pleasure is left to the rest us in or day-to-day lives
I'd hate to be the "well actually guy", but you _can_ actually, legally, follow the cars on a left turn, however, you can't do it if you'd cause a nuisance to anyone else. So, If you can't do it without causing a problem, you should definitely use the method where you cross the first street, and wait for a green light to cross the second one.
It isn't very well known here in Denmark, despite it being perfectly legal.
As a driver and bicyclist, what I find most annoying, is bicyclists that seem totally oblivious to the traffic rules, I reckon that if they had a driver's license, they would know and hopefully obey, the traffic laws, but an astonishing amount of them have poor judgment, and what I can only interpret as an unjustified sense of entitlement and self-righteousness, which is likely to get them killed. They seem to suffer from the delusion that just because the blame will right off the bat be placed on the driver, when a bicyclist gets creamed, they can ride as they see fit, and it's somebody _else's_ problem to keep them safe... But what they clearly fail to understand, is that those of us who drive would prefer _not_ to cause the death of some random dude or dudesse, so we do our best to keep everyone around us safe from the potential destruction we could cause with a powered ton of steel, but we simply can't foresee each and every insane idea bicyclists may come up with, and we can't prevent them from making stupid decisions, and putting their own lives at risk. It doesn't matter who has the right of way, if you're the weaker party, and you _are_ when you're riding a bicycle and mixing with cars, _realize it, accept it, and act accordingly!_ We're not trying to kill you, but please stop making stupid decisions, you are putting yourself in danger and it doesn't matter who is right and who is wrong, when you're dead and someone else has to live with the fact that they killed you because you were stupid...
Many of those fine´s has now been doubled,, so better follow the rules :)
Denmark has a long way to go to make their cities bike friendly. Having a bike lane right next to a car lane with no physical barriers is *not* completely separate.
You seem like a person that clearly has no knowledge about the subject and just sling something out to see if it sticks.
It is still much better then my area they give about a foot of room on the road and just a white line painted as a bike lane I much rather that
how do the cops even enforce fines on a bike, You dont have a license plate and u fit in small places, do they have cyclist cops who knock u from your bike?
Also, about front braking:
www.sheldonbrown.com/brakturn.html
They just tell you to stop, then most people stop.
They have also cops on bikes.
Bike chases are always fun.
I have never seen a cop on bike here. A motorcycle yes, but a bike never.
Basically they tell you to stop that's all. But its important to note that they dont stop you for most of this stuff unless you are really causing trouble. I dont know of any cyclist who was fined for these things. The one fine they do give you and that is enforced is for biking without lights at night.
You are from the US? In larger cities police on bikes are quite common in Europe - especially in parks and pedestrian zones. Also in old towns which have often streets/ways to narrow for cars. I did see some pictures from New York though with a lot of bike police on a demonstration.
Don't bike in Copenhagen in the rush hours. Otherwise Danes state often, it is not convenient, and it can be quite dangerous. Copenhagen is not the bicycle city it wants to be.
But you can on the weekend and on less travelled roads enjoy cycling!
Wait, no no hands cycling??? What is this? My Dutch heart will not allow it!!!
PS. You dont need a helmet/plastic hat.
hahaha
nice made video with many mistakes... ah, and wearing a helmet in such a cycling city, will cause more problems, than t will solve...the more developed the cycling country, in respect of cycling, the more people know that.... so, copenhagen, really small amount of helmets, germany more, and finally usa, a lot!!
Ok Casey neistat
Step 1 wear a helmet? Nobody wears a helmet in Copenhagen.
no hands or/ and no feet dumbist rule ever
You can't drive with one hand on the steering wheel of a car either! The reason is that road imperfections might give you an unwanted steering input taking you in an unintended direction.
@@Tore_Lund What? Is it illegal in Denmark to drive a car with one hand?
@@Linseman It is allowed to drive with only one hand on the wheel, presuming it is "in a way where your reaction time is not impaired". Steering wheel knobs are not allowed though for that reason I presume? unless you are physically impaired.
Damn, many of these are stupid. Where in the world would you not lock your bike or have lights on when it's dark? And falling off when breaking with the front break?! When did you learn to ride a bike, yesterday?
Annoying background music
0:27 That's now how you wear a helmet properly. Also not required by law, but a good idea all the same.
1:45 Wow...just wow dude, you had 20 meters to brake and you still managed to grab a handful of front brake =S.
2:40 Love how you literally recorded yourself breaking the law...what an idiot.
Ditch the stupid helmet!!!!!!!!!!!
No, you don't need to wear a helmet.
Pretty much EVERYTHING in this video is wrong.
Really!? Pray tell me, as a Dane, what was wrong... I found virtually nothing wrong!
Why did you chose a black actor to be the guy who steals your bike? Not cool.
Alicia agree. it's Europe not Africa!!!
It was a guy in a black hoodie. I think you guys might have some subconscious prejudices ;)
This was a white DIS student with a black bandanna over his face; the stereotypical comical thief face covering thing. Apologies that this was not clear enough.
Its racist to assume that the thief couldn't be a "black" person. Are you saying "black" people can't steal a bike.
I didnt notice... does that make me a bad person? :'(
Add: His hands are white...
I guess I just can't "appreciate" Benji's sense of humor. Waste of my time.