Spectrum: Only a few weeks ago, the ADFC in Germany covered again in the bicycle climate test glaring flaws in Germany's cycling infrastructure. You can sometimes see that things can be done differently and better abroad. The Danish metropolis Copenhagen is probably one of the most cyclist-friendly cities in the world.
According to the UN World Happiness Report 2013, the Danish capital is the happiest city in the world. Open location by the sea, which gives space to think and space to creativity. Social standards supported by everyone, such as all-day childcare and types of school, which allow the compatibility of work and family to be taken for granted. And happy probably also and in general because of their outstanding bike strategy. "A BETTER BICYCLE CITY, A MORE LIVEABLE CITY".
The neologism “To Copenhagenize a City” is now also a global export hit. But all of this is not just smoke and mirrors, but can also be proven by numbers. It is impressive, for example, that around 40 percent of work and school traffic is carried by bicycles. This makes the bike the undisputed number one means of transport. But that's not due to an innate Danish love for bicycles, but mainly to the excellent infrastructure.
Copenhagen is one of the few cities in Europe with its own bicycle parking garages. Counters along the way count the daily frequency of cyclists. There are bike lanes and more bike lanes and the giant Bicycle Superhighways. Therein lies the worldwide image that it means to "Copenhagenize" a city.
The bike is part of the lifestyle here. How chic cycling is in Copenhagen can be seen on this page in particular: www.copenhagencyclechic.com
What remains? Benjamin Franklin, statesman, entrepreneur and philosopher who is still relevant to us, divided people into three categories: those who do not move, those who can move and those who move. We also want to move. The wheel. To Copenhagenize our world too!