Bicyclists travel most efficiently when reaching a speed of 12 mph. So a city that is committed to making bicycling its main commuting method will synchronize its traffic lights to prioritize movement at this speed. The flow of the bicycle community is therefore as continuous as possible in Copenhagen.
On a red light, the bicycle light changes a few seconds before the vehicle's light, avoiding conflicts with turning cars by giving the bicyclists a head start.
Turning lanes and turning lights are critical to ease certain intersections. In some cases, a countdown in the bicycle traffic light will help riders better make the call whether to speed up or slow down. It is so safe, you wonder why people not wearing a helmet are the norm.
There is heavy use of the train/bicycle combination for commuters travelling in and out of Copenhagen, leading to serious bicyle parking shortages outside of the major train stations. Here's a problem we'd like to have - where to park all the bikes?
In Copenhagen over 65% of commuters go to work by walking, bicycling or public transport - 1/3 use bicycles, 1/3 use public transportation and the remaining 1/3 use cars. Public policy prioritizes public transportation and bicycles over cars, which makes commuting by alternative means the most convenient and efficient choice. The result is quieter cities, lower emissions, reduced energy consumption, and a healthier population.
Can reliable, efficient transit limit number of second cars?
By Patricia Chase
In Scandinavia as well as other parts of Europe, mobility -- the ability to get around -- is more than a necessity, it's a right. It is a deeply ingrained cultural value that no one should be left out of the societal flow because of money, age or disability.
Transportation planners in Denmark realize that no matter how good public transportation is they will never prevent people from wanting to own a car, so they don't try to fight that battle. The battle they are waging is to keep families from buying a second car, even if they can afford it.
Creating a bicycle culture, Sharing the road with bikes By Patricia Chase
A safe, continuous bicycle infrastructure linked with public transportation has been created in many European cities. Cities that have made bicycles and public transportation a priority over cars have increased mobility, slow the growth in cars on the road, decreased pollution and generally improved the life and health of the public.
