Fewer Danish teens cycling to school as car use rises

Danish high school students are increasingly abandoning bicycles in favor of cars, leading to parking shortages and concerns over public health, reports DR.

At schools like Nyborg Gymnasium, demand for parking spaces has surged as more students arrive by car. “We’re struggling more and more to find parking for all these vehicles,” said principal Malene Meincke, noting that competition for spots peaks in spring when many students earn their driver’s licenses.

A recent study from the University of Southern Denmark, Danmark i Bevægelse, found that the share of 15- to 19-year-olds cycling at least three days a week to school or work dropped from 38% to 32% since 2020. The trend is particularly pronounced in rural areas, where cycling rates fell by 15–16% between 2020 and 2025. Even in major cities—Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense, and Aalborg—cycling rates have declined.

At Hansenberg Tekniske Gymnasium in Kolding, teacher and city council member Iben Lehmann Rasmussen confirmed the shift: “We’ve been pressed for parking over the past five years.” The school expanded its lot after neighbors complained about overflow parking on nearby streets.

Students cite convenience as a key factor. Liam Haton, who commutes 44 kilometers daily, said cycling would take 2.5 hours each way, while public transport exceeds 1.5 hours. “I could bring a bike on the bus, but it’s not practical from Haderslev,” he explained. Others, like Lukas Reinert Vindfeldt—who lives just three kilometers from school—often opt for rides from parents to sleep longer after late nights.

Kenneth Øhrberg Krag, director of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation, called the trend “disheartening,” attributing it to greater car access and the practicality of using vehicles as mobile storage for sports gear or other activities. He criticized recent policy changes, such as allowing 17-year-olds to drive unsupervised from July 2025, arguing it exacerbates the decline in cycling by prioritizing car use over public transport solutions in rural areas.

Jens Høyer-Kruse, a researcher at the University of Southern Denmark, warned of long-term health consequences: “Cycling was once central to youth mobility. This shift could permanently reduce their physical activity levels.” The Cyclists’ Federation has proposed measures like subsidized bike-sharing schemes near schools to reverse the trend.