Bicycle Policies in Denmark Behavioural and Political Aspects

1. Bicycle Policies in DenmarkBehavioural and Political Aspects Kick Off Workshop Klaipėda, 15 April 2003 Thomas Krag Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

2. Contents • Introduction to cycling in Denmark • National and international cycle policies • The bicycle policy of Copenhagen • Paradoxes and challenges • A concluding remark Bicycle Policies in Denmark Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

3. People and bicycles • 5.3 Million people • 4.5 Million bicycles • 1 Million people cycle every day Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

4. Other figures on cycling in Denmark • 15% of all trips travelled by bicycle • 3.5% of all kilometres travelled by bicycle • 3-400,000 bicycles sold per Year • 70,000 bicycles stolen per Year • 60 cyclists killed per Year Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

5. Bicycle parking Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility advice

6. Cycle tracks Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility advice

7. Cycle lanes Blue cycle lanes Along roadside Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility advice

8. National cycle routes Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility advice

9. Trip purposes Bicycle Other means (Trips per person per day) Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

10. Length of bicycle trips (% of bicycle trips) Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

11. Modes of transport in Danish cities (Trips per person per day) Bicycle Policies in Denmark – Introduction Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

12. Danish strategy Targets • One third of short car trips (<= 3 km) transferred to walking and cycling • Less safety hazard Bicycle Policies in Denmark Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

13. Danish strategy Activities • National campaign for walking and cycling • Advice to local governments • Research and development projects • Infrastructural projects promoting safe cycling Bicycle Policies in Denmark Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

14. Promoting active modes of transport ”In particular, we will promote safe and environmentally friendly cycling and walking by… • Safe infrastructure and networks • Traffic management • Speed controls and speed limits • Taking into account the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.” Charter of transport, environment and health, London 1999 Bicycle Policies in Denmark – International input Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

15. Promoting active modes of transport Promoting cycling and walking for physical activity ”To contribute towards the reduction of several common and serious diseases (notably cardiovascular diseases) and functional deterioration through substantial increases in regular physical exercise and through physically active modes of transport, notably walking and cycling.” Charter of transport, environment and health, London 1999 Bicycle Policies in Denmark – International input Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

16. The bicycle policy of Copenhagen 1. Basic facts 2. History 3. Bicycle use today 4. Development of a bicycle policy 5. The Bicycle Account Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

17. Basic figures on Copenhagen Inhabitants Copenhagen City 0.5 million (Greater Copenhagen 1.8 million) (Denmark 5.3 million) Area 89.6 km2 (5,600/km2 ) Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

18. History in short Majority of cyclists in the 1950ies Decrease in the 1960ies Increase in cyclingsince late 1970ies Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

19. Bicycle traffic development Cyclists per day 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 . Inner city ring City border . 1970 1980 1990 2000 year Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

20. Today’s situation Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

21. Modal split All trips bicycle car Transport to work walk bicycle car bus and train walk bus and train Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

22. Don’t they have cars? Car ownership 223 per 1,000 (in Denmark 347 per 1,000) (abroad >400 per 1,000) Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

23. Developing a bicycle policy Bicycle network plan proposed 1974 Big manifestations from 1977 and onwards Bicycle network plan agreed by the Municipality 1980 Environmental plan 1997: no increase in cartraffic Network originally proposed almost achieved More advanced plan agreed politically 2002 Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

24. Bicycle network plan Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

25. 5 bicycle policy goals for the City Increase bicycle share home-work to 40% Reduce risk of personal injuries by 50% Achieve that 80% of all cyclists feel safe in traffic Increase effective travelling speed by 10% Increase comfort so that only 5% of the bicycle routes are judged uncomfortable Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

26. Bicycle injuries . Bicycle traffic Seriously injured cyclists . Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

27. 9 focus areas Cycle tracks and cycle lanes Green cycle routes City centre development Bicycles and public transport Bicycle parking Intersections Cycle track maintenance Cycle track day-to-day care Campaigns Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

28. The Bicycle Account … a tool for the bicycle policy Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

29. Bicycle Account contents Facts on a range of relevant issues Users’ points of view Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

30. Bicycle Account, facts Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

31. Bicycle Account, ratings Users’ points of view, maximum score = 10 Copenhagen as a city for cyclists         Cyclist security  Amount of cycle tracks  Feasability of combining PT  Bicycle parking  Cycle track maintenance  City information on traffic planning  Road maintenance  Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Copenhagen Thomas Krag Mobility advice

32. Paradoxes and challenges • Typical historical development • Predominant bicycle traffic • Growth in cartraffic, decrease in cycling • Predominant cartraffic. Cycling? Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

33. Paradoxes and challenges Krag’s 1st law Practically everybody with access to a car will, if possible, use the car for any transport unless flying is more appropriate. (car is used for 44% of all 1-2 km trips in Denmark) Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

34. Paradoxes and challenges Factors influencing each mode of transport Perception of • Speed • Price • Safety • Comfort, well-being • Status Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

35. Paradoxes and challenges Prevention of bicycle traffic by… • Reducing the competitiveness • Allowing increased traffic and speed of cars on common areas • Eliminating cycle tracks • Banning cycling Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

36. Paradoxes and challenges Political reasons to promote cycling • Cheap mobility • Fast on short and medium distances • Space saving • Non polluting • Healthy • Advantageous to the society Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

37. Paradoxes and challenges Reflections on advantages Cheap Short trips Space saving Pollution Health Society Symbol of poverty, lack of interest Not a general solution Easily overseen Undisputeable, but… Important in ’fat’ societies True, but often ignored Bicycle Policies in Denmark - Challenges Thomas Krag Mobility Advice

38. A concluding remark Bicycle promotion is a complex matter …but several successes are found in rich countries. Thomas Krag Mobility Advice Bicycle Policies in Denmark Thomas Krag Mobility Advice