Viking Biking in February

Some might say that they are urban heroes, but cycling all year round in Copenhagen is a common thing. 75 % of bicycle commuters do it. Snowflakes in your eyes while trying to pass by some slower bicycle user, or just perfectly created desire lanes on the street. Viking biking is exciting and snow on the ground or temperature below zero won't stop bicycles to roll on the streets, because still, it is the easiest and fastest way to get from A to B. Moreover, the winter city finally changes from grey to a layer of white. And there is no other way how to enjoy that then taking your bicycle and go outside.

Happy Cycling!

Winter Ride

Some more Viking Biking. This is my route to work each day at Copenhagenize Design Co.. Up over Knippels Bridge. 75% of Copenhageners cycle all winter. On all sorts of bikes.

Along Hans Christian Andersen's Boulevard, rush hour looks like this. It's only one light cycle but a bit of snow doesn't stop the bicycles.

Cargo bikes roll on, as well.

Like any other day, I stop at Sweet Treat for coffee before getting to the office. A fantastic little café to visit if you're in town.

Viking Biking

Winter is upon us here in Copenhagen. Snow last week. Temperatures below freezing - and even farther with the inevitable wind chill. Still, the bicycles rolled on.

For more photos of Viking Biking - Copenhageners cycling in the snow and cold - check out our Copenhagen Viking Biking blog on Tumblr.

Holiday Shopping Season

It's that time of year. For a lot of different things. We can certainly question the the all-powerful consumerism that is ever-present in our society, but that may be subject matter for another blog.

The fact is, people have stuff to buy in December. Lots of stuff. Christmas trees are among that stuff and over at Copenhagenize.com you can see how THAT gets done by bicycle. Then there are presents, food, you name it. It all needs to be transported around. From A to B and on to C. In Copenhagen, a lot of that is done by bicycle, too.

The weather doesn't always work with you when you cast yourself headlong into the shopping frenzy, but a bicycle gets the job done.

Bicycle baskets serve their purpose on shopping expeditions.

Although a strong shoulder is functional as well.

A kids seat provides extra load capacity for the bigger stuff you need to get home.

The strap on the kids seats comes in handy, too. Then there is the back rack found on virtually every bicycle. That's what it's there for.

You don't always need to ride the bicycle when hungry guests are on the way,

Front racks are booming in popularity, meaning bigger stuff is coming home with you on your bicycle.

You get to contemplate your purchase all the way home, which may be a good or a bad thing.

You can, of course, plan early for the holiday season, starting your shopping in the summer.

For more info on transporting stuff by bike, visit Cyclelogistics.eu.

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.

Tracks in the Snow

Follow your Desire Line(s).

Afternoon Traffic in the Snow

Heading home in the afternoon.

Viking Biking in Black and White

Cargo bike headwind.

Overtaking.

Groceries

Snow doesn't mean you stop shopping for groceries.

Hat's Off for the Hat On

Steady as you go, sir.