A bicycle is perhaps the ideal way of getting around Denmark. Riding a bike provides the gentle exercise and all the fresh air and fragrant breezes that most of us miss in everyday life.

In no time, you will be riding along scenic trails where there is no access for motorised vehicles. Moreover, Denmark's provision for cyclists ranks among the best in Europe. The Danes are a nation of cyclists and an outstanding network of cycle lanes and paths can be found throughout the country - all paths are described in handy and detailed cycling maps.

 

Signposting

In Denmark there are strict requirements as to the signposting of cycle routes. National, regional and local routes are now marked in a way that makes it easy to distinguish the routes from one another.

National route signs
The national routes are signposted with route numbers from 1-10 with white numbers on a red square.

Regional route signs
The regional route signs look like the national ones – only the numbers (16-99) are white on a blue background.

Local route signs
The local route signs look like the regional ones – only the route numbers are 100-999.

Cycling with children

Both infants and young children can be transported safely on a bicycle. For the youngest, a bicycle trailer is a good solution, especially if you want to travel with two children and luggage.

The trailer will not be nearly so much at risk of turning over as a heavily loaded bicycle with a child's seat, and in a covered trailer, children will also be sheltered from the wind and rain.

If your child is too big to sit in a trailer, but still cannnot pedal long distances, a half-bike or a tandem is a good solution; the child can pedal to its heart’s content while the adult takes care of the steering and braking.

Children who are used to cycling on their own can readily be taken on a cycling holiday as soon as they can ride the bicycle safely. With plenty of stops along the way and the right bicycle, 30 km will not be beyond the means of an 8-year-old cyclist.

You do need to make sure that the child’s bicycle is not too big: partly because it is hard to handle an over-sized bicycle and partly because it results in bad cycling posture, with aches and pains to follow. The child's bicycle must not be loaded with heavy or bulky luggage. A set of small panniers can, however, be carried by children aged 8 and up.

Bike rental

You can rent a bike at a number of places in Denmark. At local tourist offices, some camping sites, youth hostels and cycle shops, bicycles are often available from approx. DKK 25-60 a day, or DKK 150-400 a week. Deposit payment may be required. The bikes will normally be of good quality.