Copenhagen Rides On

During the pandemic, Copenhageners could still go out, although most shops were closed. The bicycle was - as ever - an important tool for transport.

Cycling levels were down, because many people were working from home, but there was still impressive numbers of cyclists in the city.

About the Cool Guys

The colour black persists. It is the essence of the men in Copenhagen. At least that's how it feels when you are trying to capture the ordinary Copenhagener. Why do so many Danes wear black? As simple as it is - it keeps you warm! Especially in winter, when sunlight is sparse and temperatures dip. Black absorbs heat, and so wearing more black is a practical method of thermal isolation. 

You can feel the desire to maintain an understated image within Copenhageners, which essentially appears to be the accepted norm, people living in Copenhagen play it safe (together with the infrastructure that is made out of the best practice paying attention to its user) by donning neutral-colored apparel within the city that gives understated feeling in minimalist architecture and interior, hardly any huge advertisements... However, individuals can still stand out through details when you know where to look, like the trimmings of a coat, the silhouette of sneakers, or a flash of a piercing.

Casual Cool Cargo Cyclists

They are on the same line. They both have a red light, but we know that in Copenhagen cyclists get green light few seconds earlier. Yes, in Copenhagen guys with cargo bikes rules!

It is true. You just get so happy while cycling in Copenhagen!

It is basically your second home.

As easy as it can be... Going to pick up kids or just cruising... CARGO BIKE!

Happy Cargo Cycling!

SaveSave

All Men Cycle

               

In Denmark, all men cycle. Through the Danish urban fabric, we can admire the diversity of personalities and fresh faces that choose the bicycle for their A-to-B. It is refreshing and inspiring to witness this kind of rawness. 

Happy Cycling!

Space

Once in a while, if you're lucky, you get a bit of space all to yourself in the morning rush hour. Exploit it.

Bird's Eye Cycle Chic

This gent did a spot of window shopping as he rolled past a shop on his morning commute.

These guys continued their conversation as they walked the last stretch to their destination.

Finding a new playlist, checking a map or a crucial, dramatic text from a love interest? We may never know.

Double basket action.

Adjusting the dog on the back rack.

Night. Time.

Copenhagen by night.

Autumnal Yellow Backdrop

The best part of autumn. Leaves blanket the city like a duvet, providing a splash of welcome colour and a perfect background for cycling photographs.

The gloves are out in force again. A sure sign that autumn is irreversible.

And now that we've moved the clocks back an hour and the days are getting shorter, yawning will undoubtably increase. :-)

Autumnal Copenhagen - Selected Shots from the Archives

Cycle Chic Turns Seven

Seven years ago today, this blog we call Copenhagen Cycle Chic was born. While the Photo That Launched a Million Bicycles was taken, as you probably know, on November 14, 2006, the blog started in June the year after. It's been a wild and glorious ride and we love every minute of it. The testimonials we've recieved through the years are treasures to us, as are all the people we continue to meet around the world who thank us for this blog and the inspiration. Inspiration is, however, a two-way street and we are constantly inspired by the people we meet and photograph.

For no particular reason, here are some recent photos from Luxembourg to celebrate our birthday.

Fort Worth Bicycle Fashion Show

Copenhagenize Design Company was in Fort Worth, Texas last week, attending Bike Texas' Texas Trails and Active Transportation conference. The good people from Momentum Magazine were there, too, and they put on a great Cycle Chic fashion show for the attendees. Showing cycling as normal, stylish and accessible to the 99%.

I kicked off the evening with a talk about the history of bicycle marketing and how lessons learned a century ago can apply to the modern situation.


The models were both locals as well as a number of conference attendees and it was a great event with a cool DJ providing the tunes. The clothes were sponsored by a local store and the bikes were of a great variety.

It was great to be a part of it.

My Favourite Snowstorm Photos

It's always hard to make a favourites list when you have seven years of archive photos. It's snowing out there in Copenhagen this morning (-18 C with the windchill, by the way), so here's a (long) selection of my favourite snowstorm photos.

80% of Copenhageners cycle all winter. In a snowstorm, that will drop further, but there are still a wonderful amount of bicycle users going about their business on bikes in the city.

Over at Copenhagenize.com you can read about how a modern city prioritizes snow clearance for bicycle traffic in the Ultimate Snow Clearance Blogpost. Here, you can see how Copenhageners just get on with it. As my mother would say, it's "put a sweater on" weather today.

Walk or ride. It's your choice.

Cycling is sociable, even in the snow.

Sometimes the snow catches up with the snow clearance but it is a temporary situation. The plows are coming soon.



Morning traffic in a headwind.

Nighttime winter cycling.

Sometimes you have a tailwind. Sometimes not.

Morning rush hour on the world's busiest bicycle street, Nørrebrogade.

Multitasking on a bicycle in the snow.

Your closet is filled with cycling clothes.

Little changes in the snow. Still stuff to transport. Places to go, people to see.

Viking Biking.

Morning rush hour on Hans Christian Andersen Boulevard at left and Nordre Fasanvej, at right.

Cycling is just walking with wheels.

Heading home in the evening.

Dapper on a Friday night.

A pillar of calm in a world of chaos.

Rise out of the saddle, or don't. It's up to you.

Always time for a conversation on a bicycle.