Culture – Design – Urban Development – Example Copenhagen

Does Copenhagen have a special bicycle culture? Or is it just that a lot of people ride bicycles there? Can other cities learn from Copenhagen?


_{all photos (c) Mikael Colville-Andersen}

In connection with Denmark’s EU presidency in the first half of 2012, the Royal Danish Embassy is striving to answer these questions by presenting an exhibition that was created specifically for the Felleshus. »A City Goes Cycling« shows why the bicycle is the choice means of transportation for so many Copenhageners as they go about their daily lives.



In this unique exhibition, policy makers, urban planners, architects, bloggers and bike activists articulate their views on the subject. Mikael Colville-Andersen, for example, shows in his blogs that Copenhageners not only cycle in sporty rainwear but also in suits or stilettos. And not only in the summertime, but also in snowstorms! Cargo bicycles not only transport kids, but also the girlfriend, the dog and even the baby carriage.



The new Danish government has set cycling at the top of its agenda – to create more livable cities and to improve the climate and health.



"A beautiful city is one where people like to walk or pedal,” said Jan Gehl, architect and urban planner. And the City of Copenhagen has come up with a number of ideas to encourage more people to switch to cycling. Viewers of the exhibition can find out what a karma raid is, what a tilted trash can looks like and what a bicycle freeway is. And of course, cool bikes by Danish manufacturers may not missing in the exhibition. Established names like Sögreni, Christiania and Nihola, but also newcomers like Velorbis, Goodmorning Technology and Hr. Velo and manufacturers who combine social commitment with bike production (Baisikeli) are represented. The exhibition also shows innovative bicycle equipment and parking facilities designed by Veksø, which also stands behind the concept of a »cycle balance sheet« for cities.



Copenhagen, Berlin and Munich are among the top five on the list of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe. But maybe Berlin can still adopt some ideas from Copenhagen?!



The exhibition is a co-production between the Royal Danish Embassy in Berlin, the City of Copenhagen Centre for Traffic and the Danish Cyclists’ Association with the Cycling Embassy and Cecilia Vanman, author of "City of Bicycles", and Mikael Colville-Andersen/Copenhagenize Consulting.

PANEL DISCUSSION ACCOMPANYING THE EXHIBITION
9 February at 6:30 PM
Panel discussion on the future of urban mobility
Participants include Michael Cramer (MEP Greens/EFA), Burkhard Horn (Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment, Berlin), Mikael Colville-Andersen (Copenhagenize Consulting), Frits Bredal (Danish Cyclists’ Association), Andreas Røhl (head of the Bicycle Programme, City of Copenhagen Centre for Traffic).

You are kindly requested to registrate for the panel dicussion at birsto@um.dk or 030-5050 2203.

Free admission!