The Capital Region of Denmark has become the latest member of the Cities & Regions for Cyclists (CRC) network. The region is already widely regarded as a European cycling powerhouse and is an exciting addition to the European Cyclists' Federation (ECF) network. Its inclusion signifies the continued growth of CRC, a network which unifies European cities and regions in their efforts to ensure more and better cycling across the continent.

“This is great news for cycling in the Capital Region of Denmark,” said Sidsel Birk Hjuler, ECF Board Member and Head of Office for Cycle Superhighways of the Capital Region of Denmark. “Being a part of the Cities & Regions for Cycling network will not only increase the visibility of great cycling practices in Denmark at the international level, but will also enable more communication and knowledge sharing between network members. 

“We have a lot of experience but we also have so much to learn. The great bicycle boom happening across Europe at the moment only makes it all the more vital that we all share and learn from each other’s dos and don’ts. We don’t have time for the old-fashioned belief that we can figure it out all by ourselves,” she said.

Two wheels first

Cycling in the Capital Region of Denmark is an integral part of the culture and lifestyle of its residents, who use it as an environmentally sustainable means of transport every day of the year. 

Commuter traffic in the Capital Region currently has a modal split of 32.9% cycling, 37.4% cars, 14.4% public transport, 8.9% walking and 4.6% multimodal. What makes these results even more extraordinary is the role played by the region, which takes the needs of cyclists into account by continuously supporting the development of cycling infrastructure. 

Within the Traffic and Mobility Plan for the Capital Region, ensuring more bicycle commuters is one of the five strategic development themes. This theme includes the following initiatives. 

1. Seamless change between transport modes and attractive first- and last- mile solutions. 
2. Bicycle trips in combination with other transport modes.
3. Extension of the Cycle Superhighways network. The Region has committed to an increase of 20% more commuter bike rides and 20% more cycled kilometers in total by 2030.

Source: Cycle Superhighways, Capital Region of Denmark

By bike as by car - the Cycle Superhighways

In order to improve long-distance cycling conditions and promote cycle commuting, the Capital Region and 16 municipalities within the region established the Cycle Superhighway Collaboration back in 2009. The Collaboration is the first ever cross-municipal collaboration in Denmark, working towards better cycling infrastructure across municipal borders. 

Cycle superhighways are established through improving existing cycling infrastructure, building missing links and new stretches of cycle paths between the municipalities and securing a coherent and dedicated wayfinding. Often the routes have wide and dedicated cycle paths with few stops, making it easier to sustain a continuous flow when cycling.   

Since 2009, the Collaboration has grown to consist of 30 municipalities and the Capital Region. Ten cycle superhighways have been established with more opening in the coming years. The Collaboration’s ambition is to have more than 60 routes of over 850km by 2045. 

Source: Cycle Superhighways, Capital Region of Denmark

Furthermore, evaluations of the first eight cycle superhighways show an average increase in cycling of 23% when a route is upgraded to cycle superhighway, and 14% of the new cyclists are former car commuters. The average trip length on the cycle superhighways is 11km (each way), a factor that certainly confirms the cycle superhighways as the third pillar in the regional transport planning. 

Find out more on the Capital region of Denmark’s website.  

For more information on the network, our current members and how to join visit our Cities & Regions for Cyclists page.