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Cycling on roads

13 replies

IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 13/10/2020 12:16

Just moved from London to Copenhagen where obviously bike is king!

I have never ridden on roads and haven’t actually ridden a bike for about 18 years but I’m keen (ok no I’m not keen, but I think it’ll be a good idea!) to try and ride here but am I being ridiculous? Is it really hard? Do I have a death wish?!

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Aroundtheworldin80moves · 13/10/2020 12:22

Cycling in many European cities (never been to Copenhagen so can't comment specifically) is completely different to UK. Bikes may have priority. Cycle lanes. And safety in numbers.

Find somewhere quiet to practice. And importantly, remember cats will come at you from a different direction than in UK. Make sure your bike is safe and legal.

Good luck. I miss cycling (as transport) now back in the UK.

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ForTheLoveOfDoughtnuts · 13/10/2020 13:05

I've been to Copenhagen a couple of times. Rode bikes everywhere, even when heverly pregnant. Felt very safe and easy to do so over there

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VenusClapTrap · 13/10/2020 13:10

I don’t feel safe cycling on roads. Even in Holland, where we go regularly to visit dh’s family. They always hand me a bike and I’m expected to get on with it, and I always hate it.

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Abraid2 · 13/10/2020 13:17

And importantly, remember cats will come at you from a different direction than in UK

This is scary.

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banivani · 13/10/2020 13:20

One of the joys of cycling in Denmark surely is that you won't have to cycle on roads since they have bike paths? This is the utopia I'm being sold as a cycling Swede, mind.

As long as you have a grasp on traffic rules and make sure you can actually ride a bike first, go for it!

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Cornishmumofone · 13/10/2020 13:21

Find somewhere that you can practise riding your bike. Make sure that you are confident giving hand signals. Make sure your bike is roadworthy and that you know basic bike maintenance such as how to replace an inner tube.

This website will help you to familiarise yourself with Danish road rules: traffic-rules.com/en/denmark

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IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece · 13/10/2020 13:25

I have nearly been run over at least 3 times because I keep forgetting the drive in the opposite side of the road! I’m not convinced biking will be so easy for someone as dense as I

Thanks all, there’s an unused car park not far from the house so I’ll take myself there!

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Elbels · 13/10/2020 13:33

I've cycled a lot in Sweden and it's sooooo much nicer than in the UK!

My boyfriend's advice to me when I started in the UK was 'be big' - don't cling to the curb trying to make yourself small so that cars squeeze past you. Own your presence on the road. It's been really useful for me and has given me confidence.

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BarbaraofSeville · 13/10/2020 14:27

Are there no cycle paths? I've only ever been to another part of Denmark, but one thing I noticed and was insanely jealous of was that there were proper cycle paths like mini roads everywhere.

Is there such a thing as cycling proficiency course you could take?

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schoggiweggli · 13/10/2020 14:43

Advice from Switzerland
Definitely second the be big advice.
It's good if a vehicle beeps you - means they saw you!
Watch out for tram tracks
Do not ever get yourself into a lorry drivers blind spot. Stay behind them.
Where I live the pedestrians are the greatest hazard. Prone to just stepping out in front of you without looking.