Copenhagen mayors seek action on tourist cycling chaos

Copenhagen mayors want to address what they describe as “summer chaos on the cycle paths” caused by tourists, DR reports. A roundtable meeting has been proposed with bike rental companies, hotels, tourism organisations and safety experts.

Tourists cycling in Copenhagen are often criticised by local residents. In recent months, DR and other media have reported problems involving cycling traffic in the city.

Andreas Keil, Copenhagen’s employment, integration and business mayor, and Line Barfod, the city’s climate, environment and technology mayor, have called for the meeting. No date has yet been set.

“We are pleased that tourists want to experience Copenhagen from a bicycle saddle, but it must happen in a way that is safe for those who live here all year round. When so many Copenhageners feel unsafe around cycling tourists, we have to act,” Keil said in a press release.

A previous survey by Epinion for the Road Safety Council found that 32 per cent of Copenhagen cyclists considered cycling tourists a traffic safety problem to a high or very high degree.

The Road Safety Council has launched a campaign in the city and on social media to give tourists an overview of the rules they must follow. Hotels have also received flyers explaining the cycling rules and hand signals.

Barfod said Copenhagen needs more wide cycle paths and safer routes to school. She also said tourists could feel safer if they were better prepared for traffic.

“They need a helping hand as they begin cycling in Copenhagen, so that the cycle paths become safer for them and for all other cyclists,” Barfod said.

Barfod and Keil also urged Copenhagen residents to be more patient in traffic.