Call for speed limit on popular Aarhus path after near-misses

A local resident has proposed a 30 km/h speed limit on Brabrandstien, a busy shared path in Aarhus, following reports of dangerous encounters between fast-moving cyclists and pedestrians.

Tobias Risager Pedersen launched the citizen’s proposal after witnessing repeated conflicts on the route, which connects Aarhus Vest with the city centre and is used by commuters, families, and school groups. He told DR that high-speed cyclists, often in groups, create an unsafe environment, particularly during afternoons and weekends.

Martin Andreasen, who uses the path with his daughter, said he recently saw two racing cyclists swerve onto the grass to avoid a head-on collision. “It’s a school route for many children,” he said. “Some sections are winding, and people cross to feed ducks. My daughter’s teacher felt uneasy during a class trip with over 20 first-grade children on bikes when fast cyclists passed by.”

Bjarne Juul, a pensioner and Red Cross volunteer, said he daily encounters large groups of cyclists moving at speed. “They take up the whole path. Families with young children learning to ride can’t move quickly enough,” he said. “Brabrandstien is for everyone, not a racetrack.”

Jens Peter Hansen, a cycling advocate, supports the limit. “On Brabrandstien, it’s a good idea. There are many other places to chase Strava records, like open roads, where you won’t disturb others.” He added that the primary value of the limit is reminding cyclists they share the path: “It’s about mutual consideration. Eye contact and a smile confirm we’ve seen each other. Safety determines whether parents dare cycle with their children.”

The proposal has gathered 316 signatures in three weeks. To trigger a city council debate, it needs 1,500 by 17 November.