Danish deputy mayor pledges to clean 400 kilometres of roads after election

A Danish deputy mayor has promised to collect litter along nearly half of her municipality’s roads—one kilometre for every personal vote she received in last year’s local elections, DR reports.

Birgitte Wilsted Simonsen, deputy mayor of Rebild Municipality for the Conservative Party, has so far cleared 46 kilometres of the 383 she pledged to clean after securing 383 votes in November’s election. The total distance represents almost half of the municipality’s road network.

“I think it suits our nature not to have litter lying around,” Simonsen told DR. “When I’ve walked my dog, I’ve picked up trash anyway, so why not make it a goal?”

In a recent cleanup session, she collected over six kilograms of waste in an hour, including a wooden plank, wine bottles, election poster strips, and—on past outings—more unusual items like a shopping trolley in Rebild Hills and a cash register drawer.

While she enjoys the walks, Simonsen admitted she wishes they weren’t necessary. “Of course, it would be nice if people picked up after themselves, but then I can just give it an extra tug.”

She currently averages about two kilometres per week and remains on track despite winter snow delays. This isn’t her first such pledge: after the 2021 election, she cleaned 157 kilometres—one for each of her 157 votes—finishing just before her term ended.

Though this term’s 383-kilometre commitment is nearly double the last, Simonsen said she doesn’t mind the extra distance. “It’s great to get out, get some exercise, and greet people. I’d have loved 200 more votes and kilometres, but I’ll have to do better next time,” she said, hinting she may repeat the promise in the next election.