Copenhagen Cycle Superhighways Boost Bicycle Commuting
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Long distance commuters can bike to and from Copenhagen on new, specially equipped and almost uninterrupted superhighways. Full story: Copenhagen cyclists can now ride to work on brand new, thoughtfully equipped cycle paths. The superhighway routes to and from the capital have been recently expanded with trails up to 14 miles long. Copenhagen and over 20 local governments have teamed up to develop a bike lane network they hope will increase bicycle traffic by as much as 30 per cent. When completed, 26 paths covering 186 miles will connect parts of greater Copenhagen with as few stops along the way as possible. Clearly marked lanes, sometimes running parallel to the "real" highway or along a quiet field or lake, will be close to public transport stations. Special road signs displaying distances as well as service stations will keep commuters informed while on route. [Ayfer Baykal, Copenhagen Technical and Environmental Mayor]: "We build bicycle lanes all over the city to make it more safe to bicycle. The main thing is not to mix the car traffic and the bike traffic in the same lines. People don't feel safe when they are biking around cars and busses. So that is why we have these major investment in our bicycle infrastructure." Footrests, friendly-angled trash cans and air pumps are thoughtfully placed along the superhighways. [Klaus Nygaard, Cyclist Commuter]: "It's a great idea. It gives me the feeling in the morning that my route is easily accessible and it's practical that I can just pump my bike on the way." For some, to be able to cycle without stopping at red lights for several miles is the clear plus. [Niels Agger, Commuter Cyclist]: "It is a very nice way to commute to your workplace because there are no traffic jams. Meanwhile you get exercise, you save a lot of money, so it is a real win-win situation." According to figures from Copenhagen city council, by not using the car, a daily bicycle trip saves 450 kg of carbon dioxide every year. It's expected the improvements will get more people to leave their cars at home and jump on their bike instead. [Brian Hansen, Head of Cycle Superhighways Steering Committee]: "We hope that this project will bring an increase of 20 percent of cycling in Copenhagen. Because we have a big potential of people who can drive their bike a little bit longer than they do already." For more news and videos visit ☛ http://ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C
Comments
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Yes, we get plenty of rain and bad weather, but seems like the Danes just don't care : ) Many of those who bike to work/school in the summer do it all year round. Sometimes you'll see people biking with umbrellas and once I saw a young woman wrapped in an entire blanket :D It's very entertaining. Do a video search for "cycling in the snow - Copenhagen" and you'll see for yourself.
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This is great, I live in greater vancouver and wish we had something similar. I try to cycle to work as much as I can but it is discouraging when it rains (and we get plenty rain!). I wonder how is the weather in Denmark, I assume they receive as much rain as Vancouver, if not more. Danes still cycle in bad weather?
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From wich country are you?
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Of course Danes pay for healthcare through taxation. I live in the US and the money I earn goes further so that I can afford health care for my family and many other things.
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That is a gernalization to assume that Americans think they know everything. I have met people from all manner of countries who exhibit these behaviors.
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Cars and other products should be at there market value and not be overpriced by government. If countries want more people to use bikes they are going to need to build the infrastructure. I cycle 30 miles a day but in the country side I would never do it in cities as it is too dangerous. I have had people rear end me in my car and I do not want that to occur while I am cycling.
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They are far ahead of everywhere else in the world.
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Oh that's cool. I'm not even American. I'm Romanian-Canadian, soon to be living in Berlin.
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No hard feelings. You're right that cars are very cheap in North-America. I am Dutch and I think that Danish cars are actually cheap. In The Netherlands You have to pay alot of taxas over a car. The same car can be 7.000€ cheaper in Germany or Denmark as in The Netherlands. Sorry for my other comment about Americans. I had read to many comments from Americans today that thought they knew everything about the world
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You're right I overgeneralized. What I meant to say is it's harder to afford a car than in the US, or Canada. This just came from what I was told by Danes when I was in Copenhagen. Either way, sorry I overgeneralized, and didn't word myself correctly.
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Some Americans think they know everything about every country in the world whihle 37% of them can't even point their own country on the world map!
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Don't talk about stuuf you know nothing about. Yes taxes in Denmark are high. But it's bullshit to say that few Danes can buy a car.
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Sorry man, I didn't mean to generalize the situations. This is just what I was told by many Danes when I was in Coppenhagen. From the prices they told me I was amazed at how expensive cars were compared to in Canada and the US. Also I have no idea what you are trying to say about PhD students, 4700 a month is a pretty big salary where I live, you seem to set the bar very high.
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That is absolute nonsense. Even as a PhD student (and this is not a normal employee), one earns 27,000kr minimum a month ($4700 US a month) and after tax approximately $3100 US. Don't forget Danes qualify for rent reductions from the government, can apply for travel tax reductions if they commute over 25km, pay absolutely nothing for healthcare and other such rebates that makes the high taxation. True the taxation is higher than Sweden where I live, but it is still comfortable to live by far.
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Don't forget, taxes are so high in Denmark that few people can actually afford cars, that is a big reason why there is a push towards bike infrastructure. We in North America have way too much love for our cars, and we can afford them so readily, that is the reason we are so far behind in this regard.
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Excellent.
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oh scandinavia, you're just so far ahead.
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