Discover Copenhagen by bike
Us Danes don’t like to brag, but we simply have to say; The Tour de France 2022 started in the best cycling city in the world! Discover all the exciting corners of Copenhagen on two wheels.
Cycling in Denmark
Photo:Michael Fiukowski and Sarah Moritz&VisitFjordlandet
Hit the saddle
Cycling and Denmark really do go hand in hand. Our small country is wonderfully flat, and our cities are built for cyclists. So, really, exploring Denmark should be done from a saddle. Whether you'll be whizzing around Copenhagen or want a full-blown cycling holiday – we have some great pointers below.
Experience Kystlandet on the cycle network
Photo: Sarah Green
Discover the North Sea by bike
Photo: Thomas Høyrup Christensen
A nation on two wheels
Make like a local and explore Denmark by bike! Explore our wonderful countryside, peaceful coastal paths, not to mention city routes in Copenhagen, one of the best biking cities in the world. Cycling checks all the boxes: local, sustainable and above all fun!
Here are a few tips about cycling in Denmark
Cycling
It couldn’t be easier to cycle in Denmark and cycling holidays are extremely popular. For full details on bike rental in Denmark, inspiration for cycling holidays and much more, read our Cycling in Denmark page.
Cycle guides and maps
A good bike and a good cycling guide are the first two steps towards a successful cycling holiday. The Danish Cycling Federation has a large selection of guides and maps available to buy online.
Bike maps
You can plan your bike route online with the Naviki app and website, available in multiple language versions.
Cycling rules
Here are a few rules of the road for cyclists that will help you enjoy a relaxing break on two wheels.
Essential bike equipment
Your bike must have a bell, a white reflector visible from the front, yellow reflectors on the pedals and wheels and a red reflector at the back. Bikes come with these things as standard in Denmark but if you’re bringing a bike with you from abroad, you’ll need to make sure yours is fitted with these.
When cycling in the dark, you must have a working white light at the front and a red at the back. You can pick these up from convenience stores and bike shops in Denmark.
Bike trailers must have two white reflectors on the front and two red on the back, with two yellow reflectors on each side. After dark, you must make sure your trailer has a red light either fitted at the back or the left-hand side.
Taking children on your bike
If you are over 15 years of age, you can transport two children under eight years old on your bike, providing you have the necessary cycle seats. If you have a bike trailer, you can take two children of any age. Children on bike seats and in trailers must always be fastened in.
Helmets
You are not legally required to wear a helmet. But it is a great idea to use one anyway!
Danish traffic regulations
You must always cycle on the right-hand side of the road and if there’s a bike path, you should use this. If you are turning left, cross over the road you will join, so that you are waiting with the traffic on the right-hand side. Then go with the traffic when the light is green. Cyclists must use their arms to signal that they are slowing down, turning or stopping. Read more about cycling laws and rules in Denmark.
Clearly sign-posted cycle routes
You will find it easy to navigate whilst cycling in Denmark, as the country has over 11,000km of sign-posted routes. Just find your route name, number or logo and follow the signs. Routes criss-cross each other, so it is possible to combine routes and take in the entire country by bike.
Cycle routes are particularly safe in comparison to other countries and national cycle routes tend to follow smaller by-roads, undisturbed forest roads and pathways.
National cycle routes
There are 11 national cycle routes in Denmark, which cover a total of over 4,000km. National routes are signposted with a white route number in a red square and bicycle symbol on a blue, square sign. (Note that Route 10 on Bornholm has a green, rather than blue, background). Odd route numbers 1 to 9 run North to South, while even routes 2 to 8 run East to West. There are two circular routes: Bornholm (Route 10) and the Limfjord Route (Route 12).
Regional and local routes
Denmark also has an extensive network of regional and local cycle routes, each with their own signage. The regional route signs follow the same patterns as the national; white route numbers from 16 to 99 on a blue background. The local route network also uses the same system but with numbers from 100 to 999.
Package cycling holidays
If you’re looking for a cycling experience in Denmark where everything is planned and organised for you, then a package cycling holiday is just for you. This type of holiday will usually include bike hire, a detailed itinerary, any ferry tickets, accommodation with either full or half-board and in some cases, luggage transportation.
The routes are designed by local experts who ensure that the tour takes you past the most beautiful scenery and along small roads with little traffic. Package holidays for cyclists are not usually group tours, which means you can normally choose when you start and finish your adventure.
