There are many similarities between Amsterdam and Copenhagen regarding our bicycle cultures. Many. There are, however, some interesting differences. In Denmark you're not 'allowed' to ride with two on a bike unless the bike is 'fitted to accomodate a passenger'. Which means a child's seat. However, to get around this strange law you can, for example, just tie a piece of rope around the person on the back rack.
In Amsterdam this doubling on bikes is second nature. Everyone does it, day and night, and most do it side-saddle. The great thing is that none of the passengers hold on. They just sit there calmly with their hands in their lap, looking around at the city. Brilliant.
Even the kids just hang out on the back rack while their Supermum pedals off.
Tripling is popular, too. One kid on the back and the other one balancing on the frame.
Or hanging out in the bucket on the front.
Another difference between the two cities is the Chic-o-meter. Here Copenhagen has Amsterdam beat. The fashion bar is raised much higher in Copenhagen, even though there are cool, fashionable people in Amsterdam.
From a traffic perspective, Copenhagen resembles many other cities in it's layout, which is why so many planners come here to envision how their city would look with a sea of bicycles. Amsterdam is so unique in it's layout that it's hard to envision anything but wonderful, beautiful Amsterdam.
With all that said, Copenhagen has a firm grip on my heart but I'll flirt sexily with Amsterdam forever.
More Doubling:
By the time you read this, I'll be in the air somewhere over Siberia, on my way to Cycle Chic in Japan. Stay tuned.
I love it, but I think it takes a lot of practice - my boyfriend and I tried it once with him cycling my pashley and me on the back rack... now that's what I call a white knuckle ride! Admittedly we were both quite drunk at the time, which didn't help the old balance, but we made it home and that's what counts, right? You certainly don't see that every day here in the moderately (by UK standards) bike-friendly Liverpool :)
ReplyDeleteI find it to be enough work hauling around the 4 year old. My husband can ride his own damn bike : )
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that in Copenhagen you can not share a bike? Once I tried 'cause my bike had a problem and the lady in the red light said that the Police could give me a fine (some friends I know actually got one), that is not nice. I was doing it lot of times in Lisbon but there I doubt the Police knows anything about bicycle rules :P
ReplyDeleteI find it truly beautiful sharing a bike walk.
Hav en god tur.
Surely we shouldn't have such double standards in the EU? If we're a united Europe then all the laws should be the same - and allow bike sharing. This is the health and safety nuts getting their way again.
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