Cycling in Copenhagen

In Copenhagen, there are more bicycles than people. But what's remarkable is that the people here use bicycles as a way of life – a cultural trait that has become symbolic of this beautiful, ancient Nordic city.

Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation in Copenhagen.

On my first morning in Copenhagen, I was delighted to see hundreds of bicycles neatly lined up at major intersections during rush hour. No honking, no pushing. When the light turned green, the stream flowed on quietly, as smooth as water. The typical sights of modern cities – ostentatious supercars or long lines of taxis – were completely absent here. This created an interesting paradox: Copenhagen is one of the richest and most expensive cities in the world , yet its people commute daily in such a simple, humble way.

I had previously heard praises for Copenhagen's cycling culture, with hundreds of kilometers of dedicated bike lanes and more than half the population commuting by bicycle. But it wasn't until I took the handlebars myself, slowly cycling through main streets, smaller alleys, parks, residential areas, and along the canals, that I understood that numbers are just numbers. Copenhagen gave me a journey of discovery by bicycle – something I had never considered before, not for photo opportunities, but to truly immerse myself in the city, like a local.

Following the rolling wheels, the bicycle glided smoothly along roads lined with towering trees, the sunlight filtering through the foliage into a soft green hue. I leaned along the curves and exclaimed with delight when the mirror-like surface of the lake opened up before me, dotted with swans swimming slowly. I suddenly realized I had forgotten my GPS, forgotten my destination, and had been wandering aimlessly for some time without realizing it. To be honest, I had been engrossed in watching a woman in a light beige trench coat riding a bicycle, one hand holding a cup of coffee. On the sidewalk, an old man in a straw hat was walking his bicycle slowly with his old friend.

The city's residents commute daily by bicycle.

In many wealthy cities, transportation is often a status symbol, but in Copenhagen, it's the opposite: office workers in suits cycle, bank executives cycle, and young women in fashionable outfits also cycle… Here, cycling isn't a weekend activity or a fitness exercise, nor is it a trendy "green" choice. It's the city's heartbeat, happening naturally without any effort. For the people, a bicycle isn't just a means of transportation, but a lifestyle choice. For me, it's a wide-open door to Copenhagen's rhythm of life. I can move, observe, and think at the same time – a rare privilege in modern urban life.

One of the city's most endearing sights is the cargo bike, a type of bicycle with a cargo box attached to the front, similar to the cyclo in Vietnam. People use cargo bikes to take their children to school, walk their pets, and transport groceries from the market to their homes. If a family wants to enjoy a warm time together with a picnic by the canal or in a park, a cargo bike is enough to carry all the necessary items. These very ordinary yet beautiful moments evoke memories of Hanoi in the 70s and 80s – just as leisurely, with narrow streets where bicycles and cyclos were the main modes of transportation. The connection between my heart and Copenhagen thus became unexpectedly close.

Bicycles have become one of the cultural symbols of Copenhagen.

Cycling in Copenhagen is also enjoyable because of its everyday yet optimally designed amenities. Almost every street has its own bike lane, traffic lights have signals for bicycles, bike parking is abundant, and you can even take your bike onto the tram at many times. In recent years, Copenhagen, and Denmark in general, have been actively developing a high-speed bicycle system with a series of standards to adhere to, such as air pumps, footrests, safe intersections, traffic lights adjusted to average cycling speeds, and bike parking near bus stops and train stations to make cycling more convenient for people.

Renting a bicycle in this city is quite easy. Rental services are everywhere, in addition to the public transport system spread throughout the city center, there are also local shops located right in the center, near train stations, hotels, and hostels. You don't need to plan a search, you don't need to book days in advance; whether you rent or return a bike, the process only takes a few minutes. Locals reveal that using apps to rent bikes from the public transport system is convenient, but renting from local shops is more enjoyable. You'll get help adjusting the seat to your height, attaching baskets or child seats if needed, advice on suitable routes, and especially, cargo bikes are available if you need them.

Leaving Copenhagen, what I remember most isn't the magnificent royal palace, the vibrant Nyhavn harbor, or the priceless treasures in the museum, but the feeling of the gentle breeze caressing my hair as I leisurely cycled through the streets, the rhythmic sound of the wheels turning, the soft tinkling of bicycle bells echoing from afar… Yes, these memories aren't extraordinary, but that's precisely why they become so special!